Controlling Factors on Condensate Production from the Eagle Ford Shale

Abstract

This thesis examines the impact on recovery from shale condensate reservoirs of key properties such as porosity and permeability as well as other controlling factors that include the horizontal wells length, liquid drop out and liquid loading around the wellbore. It also addresses the possibility of lean gas injection. It is found that production of heavy ends (C5, C6 and C7) remains low with time but at an approximate constant rate. The dual permeability model shows larger production of C5, C6 and C7 as compared with the dual porosity model. A higher natural fracture permeability results in an increased production and recovery. The preliminary conclusion is reached that lean injection is not feasible when shale permeability is within the range considered in this study (0.0001 md). However, there might be sweet spots within condensate shale reservoirs amenable to enhanced oil recovery. It is recommended to investigate this possibility.