Improving well productivity – Ways to reduce the lag between the diffusive and convective time of flight in shale wells

This short communication explains how the key to improve shale well productivity lies in reducing the gap between the diffusive and convective time of flight. Diffusive time of flight in a hydrocarbon reservoir controls which reservoir regions will be affected by the pressure transient at a certain time after the onset of production. The convective time of flight is a measure of tracer front advance as well as for fluid withdrawal rates due to a well system draining the reservoir. The difference between the advance rate of a diffusive pressure front and a convective tracer front has been long recognized. However, only recently has it become clear that a thorough grasp of the two concepts is crucial for better decisions about fracture and well spacing in low permeability reservoirs. Although the diffusive time of flight is highlighted in the traditional pressure depletion models, the convective time of flight has a more direct impact on well productivity because it controls the advance rate, to the well system, of hydrocarbon fluids to be produced. The two concepts, diffusive and convective time of flight, are briefly highlighted below, with emphasis on their relevance for decision-making in shale field development solutions.