Numerical Simulation Analysis of Foam Drainage Gas Recovery in Horizontal Shale Gas Wells
Source abstract
Abstract
Liquid loading is almost inevitable in most shale gas well developments and has a significant impact on both the gas production rate and the overall recovery efficiency of the reservoir. Foam drainage gas recovery is an effective method for removing accumulated liquid and restoring production in gas wells. This technique is cost-effective, easy to operate, and does not interfere with normal gas production, making it widely applied in gas well liquid drainage. In this study, based on the two-phase level set method in COMSOL, numerical models were established for three key production stages of a horizontal shale gas well: early-stage natural flow, mid-stage gas–liquid interface formation, and late-stage foam drainage gas recovery. The gas production process under different stages was simulated to verify the production behavior of gas wells. By setting appropriate simulation parameters, the model can be adapted to simulate gas well performance under various geological and production conditions. Numerical simulation also enables the evaluation of key parameters in foam drainage gas recovery, laying the foundation for process parameter optimization.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques · Fluid Dynamics and Mixing · Pickering emulsions and particle stabilization
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Sinopec Chongqing Fuling Shale Gas Exploration and Development Co., Ltd., Chongqing 408000, China
School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing 100029, China
Funding
Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China · Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities · Interdisciplinary Research Center of Beijing University of Chemical Technology · National Natural Science Foundation of China
References (28)
Show source-provided references
1. Some research advances in well engineering technology for unconventional hydrocarbon
2. Modeling and analysis of sustained annular pressure and gas accumulation caused by tubing integrity failure in the production process of deep natural gas wells10.1115/1.4051944 ↗
3. Safety Risk Analysis of Well Control for wellbore with sustained annular pressure and Prospects for Technological Development10.1007/s10553-025-01844-9 ↗
4. An improved method of gas well deliquification using supersonic nozzle International10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2017.01.054 ↗
5. Reservoir optimized plunger lift technology reduces hydrocarbon emissions from aging gas wells10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143475 ↗
6. Investigating synergism and antagonism of binary mixed surfactants for foam efficiency optimization in high salinity10.1016/j.petrol.2018.12.074 ↗
7. Foam flow in vertical gas wells under liquid loading: Critical velocity and pressure drop prediction10.1016/j.ijmultiphaseflow.2016.09.001 ↗
8. Foam drainage gas recovery technology and its application in the shale gas wells of Zhaotong National Shale Gas Demonstration Area
9. Extended large-Q Potts model simulation of foam drainage10.1080/095008396180489 ↗
10. Hydrodynamic theory of rising foam10.1016/j.mineng.2006.10.003 ↗
11. Hydrodynamic study of multipahse flow transport of highly viscous foamy fluids10.1016/j.petrol.2015.09.012 ↗
12. The Mechanism Study of Vortex Tools Drainage Gas Recovery of Gas Well
13. Dynamic analysis of a liquid droplet and optimization of helical angles for vortex drainage gas recovery10.1016/j.ngib.2016.12.010 ↗
14. Critical gas velocity prediction for vortex drainage gas wells10.18280/ijht.360439 ↗
15. Effect of surfactant additive on vertical two-phase flow10.1016/j.petrol.2014.02.004 ↗
16. Study of the flow pattern and pressure drop law of the air-water-foam three-phase flow
17. Okpobiri, G.A., and Ikoku, C.U. (1982). Experimental Determination of Solids Friction Factors and Minimum Volumetric Requirements in Foam and Mist Drilling and Well Cleanout Operations, The University of Tulsa.
18. Yang, J., Chen, J., Peng, Y., and Li, B. (2023). Effect of Lateral Trajectory on Two-Phase Flow in Horizontal Shale Gas Wells. Processes, 11.10.3390/pr11102844 ↗
19. Yang, J., Wang, Q., Sun, F., Zhong, H., and Yang, J. (2023). Simulation Experiment and Mathematical Model of Liquid Carrying in the Entire Wellbore of Shale Gas Horizontal Wells. Processes, 11.10.3390/pr11082339 ↗
20. Song, F., Zhang, C., Huang, X., and Wang, Y. (2024). Analysis of the Impact of Clusters on Productivity of Multi-Fracturing Horizontal Well in Shale Gas. Energies, 17.10.3390/en17205140 ↗
21. Wang, F., Li, Z., Chen, H., and Li, S. (2015, January 24). Foam fluid flow analysis in helical coiled tubing using CFD. Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Fluid Mechanics (ICM7), Qingdao, China.
22. Laminar and turbulent friction factors for annular flow of drag-reducing polymer solutions in coiled- tubing operations10.2118/130579-PA ↗
23. Jain, S., Shah, S.N., and Singhal, N. (2004, January 26). Effect of coiled tubing curvature on friction pressure loss of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids experimental and simulation studies. Proceedings of the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Houston, TX, USA.10.2118/90558-MS ↗
24. Li, Z., Zhou, G., and Zhou, Z. (2016, January 11). The feasibility studies of polymer foam flooding in Gudao oilfield. Proceedings of the SPE Asia Pacific Oil & Gas Conference and Exhibition, Adelaide, Australia.
25. Bhide, V., Hirasaki, G., and Miller, C. (2005, January 10). Foams for controlling water production. Proceedings of the SPE International Symposium on Oilfield Chemistry, Houston, TX, USA.10.2118/93273-MS ↗
26. Zinati, F., Farajzadeh, R., and Zitha, P. (2007, January 30). Modeling and CT-scan study of the effect of core heterogeneity on foam flow for acid diversion. Proceedings of the European Formation Damage Conference, Scheveningen, The Netherlands.
27. Li, H., and Yang, D. (2007, January 12). A theoretical model for optimizing surfactant usage in a gas well dewatering process. Proceedings of the 58th Canadian International Petroleum Conference (CIPC), Calgary, AB, Canada.10.2118/2007-118 ↗
28. A conservative level set method for two phase flow10.1016/j.jcp.2005.04.007 ↗