Simulation and Analysis of Unconventional Reservoirs Using Fast Marching Method and Transient Drainage Volume

Unconventional tight/shale reservoirs have become an important component of the world’s energy map in the recent decade and have been attracting a lot of interests in both academia and industry. However, the industry today still faces significant challenges in understanding the fundamental mechanisms. Unconventional tight/shale reservoirs are characterized by low or ultra-low permeability, such that the transient pressure behavior might last throughout the production lifetime. Recent research has proposed a novel approach for unconventional reservoir analysis based on the high-frequency asymptotic approximation of diffusivity equation. By solving the Eikonal equation with the Fast Marching Method (FMM), one can rapidly obtain the diffusive time of flight (DToF) which depicts the pressure transient propagation process. A fast DToF-based forward simulation is further proposed to solve the fluid flow equation in a 1D equivalent coordinate system, with the DToF as the spatial coordinate. In this study, we first adopt the DToF-based simulation as a rapid forward simulator to formulate an efficient hydraulic fracture design and optimization workflow. The DToF-based simulation can be orders of magnitude faster than the conventional finite difference/volume based simulation, and is ideal for optimization process where hundreds or thousands of simulations are necessary. Our workflow focuses on optimizing the number of hydraulic fracture stages, their spacing, and the allocation of proppant. The workflow also accounts for the geologic uncertainty, which given by different natural fracture distributions. Next, we extend this DToF-based simulation from Cartesian and corner point grid system to unstructured grids to better characterize the complex fracture geometry induced by hydraulic fracturing job. Two different constructions of the local Eikonal equation solver, based on Fermat’s principle and Eulerian discretization, are investigated and compared. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the power and validity of this extended DToF-based simulation workflow. Finally, we propose a model-free production data analysis method to analyze the performance of unconventional reservoirs when a full simulation model is not available. The transient drainage volume is derived directly based on bottom-hole pressure and production rate. We further define the drainage volume derivative and instantaneous recovery ratio, which can measure how effectively the hydraulic fractures have stimulated the reservoir. This technique is then applied to select candidate wells for refracturing

Application of Fast Marching Method in Shale Gas Reservoir Model Calibration

Unconventional reservoirs are typically characterized by very low permeabilities, and thus, the pressure depletion from a producing well may not propagate far from the well during the life of a development. Currently, two approaches are widely utilized to perform unconventional reservoir analysis: analytical techniques, including the decline curve analysis and the pressure/rate transient analysis, and numerical simulation. The numerical simulation can rigorously account for complex well geometry and reservoir heterogeneity but also is time consuming. In this thesis, we propose and apply an efficient technique, fast marching method (FMM), to analyze the shale gas reservoirs. Our proposed approach stands midway between analytic techniques and numerical simulation. In contrast to analytical techniques, it takes into account complex well geometry and reservoir heterogeneity, and it is less time consuming compared to numerical simulation. The fast marching method can efficiently provide us with the solution of the pressure front propagation equation, which can be expressed as an Eikonal equation. Our approach is based on the generalization of the concept of depth of investigation. Its application to unconventional reservoirs can provide the understanding necessary to describe and optimize the interaction between complex multi-stage fractured wells, reservoir heterogeneity, drainage volumes, pressure depletion, and well rates. The proposed method allows rapid approximation of reservoir simulation results without resorting to detailed flow simulation, and also provides the time-evolution of the well drainage volume for visualization. Calibration of reservoir models to match historical dynamic data is necessary to increase confidence in simulation models and also minimize risks in decision making. In this thesis, we propose an integrated workflow: applying the genetic algorithm (GA) to calibrate the model parameters, and utilizing the fast marching based approach for forward simulation. This workflow takes advantages of both the derivative free characteristics of GA and the speed of FMM. In addition, we also provide a novel approach to incorporate the micro-seismic events (if available) into our history matching workflow so as to further constrain and better calibrate our models

Joint analysis of three genome-wide association studies of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in Chinese populations

We conducted a joint (pooled) analysis of three genome-wide association studies (GWAS) 1-3 of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in ethnic Chinese (5,337 ESCC cases and 5,787 controls) with 9,654 ESCC cases and 10,058 controls for follow-up. In a logistic regression model adjusted for age, sex, study, and two eigenvectors, two new loci achieved genome-wide significance, marked by rs7447927 at 5q31.2 (per-allele odds ratio (OR) = 0.85, 95% CI 0.82-0.88; P=7.72x10−20) and rs1642764 at 17p13.1 (per-allele OR= 0.88, 95% CI 0.85-0.91; P=3.10x10−13). rs7447927 is a synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in TMEM173 and rs1642764 is an intronic SNP in ATP1B2, near TP53. Furthermore, a locus in the HLA class II region at 6p21.32 (rs35597309) achieved genome-wide significance in the two populations at highest risk for ESSC (OR=1.33, 95% CI 1.22-1.46; P=1.99x10−10). Our joint analysis identified new ESCC susceptibility loci overall as well as a new locus unique to the ESCC high risk Taihang Mountain region

Rail-Induced Social Changes in Central Guangzhou, China

The economic benefits of rail development are well researched, but the social effects of rail are largely understudied, especially in China. We analyze the association between educational attainment level and urban rail development using the 2000 and 2010 census data from Central Guangzhou, China, and a linear mixed-effects modeling approach. Our results indicate that the change in education level is greater in rail neighborhoods than in non-rail neighborhoods in the central area of Guangzhou, and that the rail/metro-induced effect on educational attainment level is evidenced. This research contributes to the existing literature by exploring a new method for this line of research and providing empirical evidence of social changes in a city that has experienced rapid economic growth and pioneered rail development in China, a developing country. The limitations and implications of the research are discussed

Rail-Induced Social Changes in Central Guangzhou, China

The economic benefits of rail development are well researched, but the social effects of rail are largely understudied, especially in China. We analyze the association between educational attainment level and urban rail development using the 2000 and 2010 census data from Central Guangzhou, China, and a linear mixed-effects modeling approach. Our results indicate that the change in education level is greater in rail neighborhoods than in non-rail neighborhoods in the central area of Guangzhou, and that the rail/metro-induced effect on educational attainment level is evidenced. This research contributes to the existing literature by exploring a new method for this line of research and providing empirical evidence of social changes in a city that has experienced rapid economic growth and pioneered rail development in China, a developing country. The limitations and implications of the research are discussed

Insight into a Nitrogen-Doping Mechanism in a Hard-Carbon-Microsphere Anode Material for the Long-Term Cycling of Potassium-Ion Batteries

To investigate the alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, potassium-ion batteries have attracted considerable interest due to the cost-efficiency of potassium resources and the relatively lower standard redox potential of K+/K. Among various alternative anode materials, hard carbon has the advantages of extensive resources, low cost, and environmental protection. In the present study, we synthesize a nitrogen-doping hard-carbon-microsphere (N-SHC) material as an anode for potassium-ion batteries. N-SHC delivers a high reversible capacity of 248 mAh g−1 and a promoted rate performance (93 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1). Additionally, the nitrogen-doping N-SHC material also exhibits superior cycling long-term stability, where the N-SHC electrode maintains a high reversible capacity at 200 mAh g−1 with a capacity retention of 81% after 600 cycles. DFT calculations assess the change in K ions’ absorption energy and diffusion barriers at different N-doping effects. Compared with an original hard-carbon material, pyridinic-N and pyrrolic-N defects introduced by N-doping display a positive effect on both K ions’ absorption and diffusion

O-Doping Configurations Reduce the Adsorption Energy Barrier of K-Ions to Improve the Electrochemical Performance of Biomass-Derived Carbon

In recent years, atomic-doping has been proven to significantly improve the electrochemical performance of biomass-derived carbon materials, which is a promising modification strategy. Among them, there are relatively few reports about O-doping. Here, porous carbon derived from orange peel was prepared by simple carbonization and airflow-annealing processes. Under the coordination of microstructure and surface groups, the derived carbon had excellent electrochemical performance for the K-ion batteries’ anode, including a high reversible specific capacity of 320.8 mAh/g, high rate performance of 134.6 mAh/g at a current density of 2000 mA/g, and a retention rate of 79.5% even after 2000 long-term cycles, which shows great application potential. The K-ion storage mechanisms in different voltage ranges were discussed by using various characterization techniques, that is, the surface adsorbed of K-ionswas in the high-potential slope area, and the intercalation behavior corresponded to the low-potential quasi-plateau area. In addition, the density functional theory calculations further confirmed that O-doping can reduce the adsorption energy barrier of K-ions, change the charge density distribution, and promote the K-ion storage. In particular, the surface Faraday reaction between the C=O group and K-ions plays an important role in improving the electrochemical properties

Dynamic Characteristics of a Traction Drive System in High-Speed Train Based on Electromechanical Coupling Modeling under Variable Conditions

The traction drive system of a high-speed train has a vital role in the safe and efficient operation of the train. This paper established an electromechanical coupling model of a high-speed train. The model considers the interaction of the gear pair, the equivalent connecting device of the transmission system, the equivalent circuit of the traction motor, and the direct torque control strategy. Moreover, the numerical simulation of the high-speed train model includes constant speed, traction, and braking conditions. The results indicate that the meshing frequency and the high harmonics rotation frequency constitute the stator current. Furthermore, both frequencies are evident during constant speed. However, they are blurry among other conditions except for twice the rotation frequency. Meanwhile, the rotor and stator currents’ root-mean-square (RMS) values during traction are less than the RMS value during braking. The initiation of traction and braking causes a significant increase in current. During the traction and braking process, the RMS value of the current gradually decreases. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the impact of the transition process on system reliability