Wai Li

University of Western Australia

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Jishan Liu

Wenzhou University

Yee‐Kwong Leong

University of Western Australia

Derek Elsworth

Pennsylvania State University

Jie Zeng

University of Western Australia

Jianwei Tian

Technical University of Denmark

Jianchun Guo

State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation

Yihui Ji

China University of Petroleum, Beijing

Hui Peng

China Three Gorges University

Xionghu Zhao

China University of Petroleum, Beijing

Xiao Han

Hefei National Center for Physical Sciences at Nanoscale

Cooperative Institutions

China University of Petroleum, Beijing

University of Western Australia

China University of Mining and Technology

Central South University

State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation

Henan Polytechnic University

Tsinghua University

Southwest Petroleum University

Chinese Academy of Sciences

Beihang University

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Water Liberating/Sealing effects on shale gas Extraction: A fully coupled multidomain and multiphysics model

Fuel (2022)

Wai Li Jishan Liu Jie Zeng Yee‐Kwong Leong Derek Elsworth

Multiphysics

10.1016/j.fuel.2022.124953

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Citations (8)

A fully coupled multidomain and multiphysics model for evaluation of shale gas extraction

Fuel (2020)

Wai Li Jishan Liu Jie Zeng Yee‐Kwong Leong Derek Elsworth

Multiphysics

Matrix (chemical analysis)

Shale Gas

10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118214

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Citations (91)

Evolution of Shale Permeability under the Influence of Gas Diffusion from the Fracture Wall into the Matrix

Energy & Fuels (2020)

Jie Zeng Jishan Liu Wai Li Yee‐Kwong Leong Derek Elsworth

Permeability is the most important property that controls the transfer of gas mass across a hierarchy of scales within a shale gas reservoir. When gas diffuses from the fracture wall into the matrix, the gas adsorbs onto shale grains. This adsorption may result in matrix swelling. In previous studies, it is commonly assumed that this swelling is uniform within the matrix. Under this assumption, the impact of the gas diffusion process would be neglectable. In this study, we hypothesize that this uniform swelling assumption is responsible for the inconsistencies between poroelastic solutions and experimental or field observations as reported in the literature. We introduce a volumetric ratio of the gas-invaded volume to the whole matrix volume to quantify the impact of matrix swelling volume expansion on the evolution of shale permeability. The gradual matrix pressure increase in the vicinity of fracture walls leads to local swelling. As the gas invaded zone expands within the matrix, the local effect weakens. When the matrix is completely invaded by the injected gas, a new homogeneous state is achieved, and the local effect ends. We find that the evolution of shale permeability from initial to final homogeneous states is a result of the propagation of the gas invaded area. We apply this approach to generate a series of shale permeability maps. These maps explain experimental observations under a spectrum of conditions from constant confining pressure, to constant average pore pressure, to constant effective stress, and to constant total volume conditions.

Poromechanics

Matrix (chemical analysis)

Gaseous diffusion

Effective stress

10.1021/acs.energyfuels.0c00219

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Citations (33)

Shale gas reservoir modeling and production evaluation considering complex gas transport mechanisms and dispersed distribution of kerogen

Petroleum Science (2020)

Jie Zeng Jishan Liu Wai Li Yee‐Kwong Leong Derek Elsworth

Abstract Stimulated shale reservoirs consist of kerogen, inorganic matter, secondary and hydraulic fractures. The dispersed distribution of kerogen within matrices and complex gas flow mechanisms make production evaluation challenging. Here we establish an analytical method that addresses kerogen-inorganic matter gas transfer, dispersed kerogen distribution, and complex gas flow mechanisms to facilitate evaluating gas production. The matrix element is defined as a kerogen core with an exterior inorganic sphere. Unlike most previous models, we merely use boundary conditions to describe kerogen-inorganic matter gas transfer without the instantaneous kerogen gas source term. It is closer to real inter-porosity flow conditions between kerogen and inorganic matter. Knudsen diffusion, surface diffusion, adsorption/desorption, and slip corrected flow are involved in matrix gas flow. Matrix-fracture coupling is realized by using a seven-region linear flow model. The model is verified against a published model and field data. Results reveal that inorganic matrices serve as a major gas source especially at early times. Kerogen provides limited contributions to production even under a pseudo-steady state. Kerogen properties’ influence starts from the late matrix-fracture inter-porosity flow regime, while inorganic matter properties control almost all flow regimes except the early-mid time fracture linear flow regime. The contribution of different linear flow regions is also documented.

Knudsen diffusion

10.1007/s12182-020-00495-1

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Citations (32)

Novel Dynamic Multiscale Model of Apparent Diffusion Permeability of Methane through Low-Permeability Coal Seams

Energy & Fuels (2021)

Zhiqiang Li Jiansong Peng Lin Li Lingling Qi Wai Li

The low permeability of coal seams is a key factor restricting gas extraction. The multiscale pores in low-permeability coal make coal permeability present the multiscale characteristics. However, the conventional steady-state method cannot measure the multiscale permeability of low-permeability coal well. In this study, a unidirectional multiscale dynamic apparent diffusion model is proposed as an analytical model, and a multiscale dynamic apparent diffusion coefficient is defined. In addition, an experimental method for measuring low permeability from macroscale to microscale pores is provided. The experiments of gas desorption flow in the unidirectional, radial, and spherical directions were conducted to compare with each other. The research results show that (1) the apparent diffusion coefficient and apparent permeability decrease with time because of the multiscale pore structure in coal. (2) The multiscale dynamic apparent diffusion model can accurately describe the full-time process of the unidirectional gas desorption flow in coal. (3) The proposed model shows a broader applicability with a comparison to the current models.

Microscale chemistry

Coalbed Methane

Gaseous diffusion

10.1021/acs.energyfuels.1c00324

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Citations (22)

Investigation of Biodiesel-Based Drilling Fluid, Part 1: Biodiesel Evaluation, Invert-Emulsion Properties, and Development of a Novel Emulsifier Package

SPE Journal (2016)

Wai Li Xionghu Zhao Yihui Ji Hui Peng Bin Chen

Summary As a type of mono-alkyl ester, biodiesel exhibits great potential to serve as the base oil of drilling fluids substituting for conventional oil-based drilling fluids (OBDFs). This paper presents a series of laboratory investigations of water-in-biodiesel (invert) emulsion as the basis of a high-performance, environmentally friendly, and low-cost biodiesel-based drilling fluid (BBDF). Biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil was used to formulate a BBDF because of its high flashpoint, reliable storage stability, acceptable elastomeric material compatibility, nontoxicity, and excellent biodegradability. In light of the results of tests used to measure various properties, the biodiesel invert-emulsion chemistry, including the required hydrophile/lipophile balance (HLB), optimal emulsifier, effects of different additives (organophilic clay, calcium chloride, and lime), as well as hydrolytic stability, was studied. A biodiesel invert emulsion that remains stable after hot rolling at 120°C for 16 hours can be prepared with correct combinations of additives, thereby offering a firm foundation for designing BBDFs. The novel emulsifier package developed in this work is introduced as an achievement in the comprehensive usage of waste cooking oil because its feedstock is identical to that of biodiesel. An initial economic analysis of the use of biodiesel for drilling is also presented. Details of the formulations and properties of BBDFs derived from this fundamental research are discussed in another paper (Part 2).

Lubricity

Environmentally Friendly

10.2118/180918-pa

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Citations (63)

An effective stress-dependent dual-fractal permeability model for coal considering multiple flow mechanisms

Fuel (2022)

Jianwei Tian Jishan Liu Derek Elsworth Yee‐Kwong Leong Wai Li

Effective stress

Shrinkage

10.1016/j.fuel.2022.126800

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Citations (27)

Shale gas production from reservoirs with hierarchical multiscale structural heterogeneities

Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering (2021)

Jianwei Tian Jishan Liu Derek Elsworth Yee‐Kwong Leong Wai Li

10.1016/j.petrol.2021.109380

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Citations (22)

Linking Fractal Theory to a Fully Coupled Coal Deformation and Two-Phase Flow Multiphysics: The Role of Fractal Dimensions

Energy & Fuels (2022)

Jianwei Tian Jishan Liu Derek Elsworth Yee‐Kwong Leong Wai Li

The fractal nature of coal pore sizes affects both coal absolute and relative permeabilities. Previous studies have demonstrated the significant role of coal absolute permeability models in evaluating coal gas extraction, but the role of relative permeability models remains unknown. In this study, the fractal theory was employed to derive new relative permeability models. These new models are verified against the relative permeability data available in the literature. The verified permeability models are used to fully couple coal deformation and two-phase flow during coalbed methane extraction. The degenerated fully coupled model was verified against data obtained from another commercial simulator. The verified model was applied to conduct a series of sensitivity studies of gas production to fractal dimensions. The results show that the larger fractal dimension suggests higher residual water saturation, which compromises the relative permeability correspondingly. The larger fractal parameter facilitates gas recovery although the capillary pressure is enhanced accordingly. Absolute permeability rebounds with the decline of pore pressure, indicating that the dominant factor for gas production transforms from relative permeability in the early stage to absolute permeability in the later stage.

Relative permeability

Coalbed Methane

Capillary pressure

10.1021/acs.energyfuels.2c02857

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Citations (9)

Investigation of Biodiesel-Based Drilling Fluid, Part 2: Formulation Design, Rheological Study, and Laboratory Evaluation

SPE Journal (2016)

Wai Li Xionghu Zhao Yihui Ji Hui Peng Bin Chen

Summary This paper presents an environmentally friendly, biodiesel-based invert-emulsion drilling fluid (BBDF). On the basis of the stable emulsion previously optimized (which was presented in Part 1), several necessary additives, including an organophilic clay (OC), a fluid-loss (FL) -control agent and a rheological modifier (RM), were developed or selected to formulate the BBDF. Numerous laboratory tests of different properties were conducted to evaluate the properties of this drilling fluid. BBDF has a rheological behavior and filtration properties that meet the requirements of drilling operations. It exhibits good shale-inhibition ability, excellent lubricity, and tolerance to contaminants. Low toxicity and great biodegradability are the prominent advantages of this system. After evaluating the suitabilities of known rheological models for BBDF, a hydraulic simulation was carried out on the basis of the Herschel-Bulkley model. BBDF performs similarly to conventional oil-based drilling fluids (OBDFs) subject to deepwater drilling conditions. High performance and great environmental compliance make BBDF a promising option for marine or extended-reach drilling. In addition, novel OC produced from rectorite and nonionic surfactants was successfully introduced into this drilling fluid. This modified rectorite is expected to be a substitute for conventional organobentonite.

Lubricity

Deepwater drilling

Environmentally Friendly

10.2118/180926-pa

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Citations (50)