A robust, reliable work flow for well-spacing optimization in a shale reservoir development incorporating various types of uncertainties and detailed economics analysis is necessary for achieving sustainable unconventional production. In the complete paper, the authors describe a novel well-spacing-optimization work flow based on the results of assisted history matching and apply it to a real shale gas well, incorporating uncertainty parameters such as matrix permeability, matrix porosity, fracture half-length, fracture height, fracture width, fracture conductivity, and fracture water saturation.
Introduction
The work of well-spacing optimization is significant because it will subsequently dominate the planning of the drilling job and completion job and ultimately will affect recovery efficiency. The purpose of well-spacing optimization serves to maximize either capital revenue or ultimate recovery. The greatest challenge for well-spacing optimization is how to interpret the uncertainties associated with unconventional reservoirs.
