Vol. 337 No. 2 (2026)
DOI https://doi.org/10.18799/24131830/2026/2/5068
Possibility of reliable estimating the “reservoir–well” system parameters based on short-term buildup data in horizontal wells with multistage hydraulic fracturing
Relevance. Improving the confidence of well testing results in horizontal wells with multi-stage hydraulic fracturing widely used for hard-to-recover oil and gas production. Aim. To develop methods for improving the confidence of parameter estimation for the “reservoir–well” system based on well test data in horizontal wells with multi-stage hydraulic fracturing by obtaining a radial-like flow regime response. Methods. Analytical and numerical modelling of pressure buildup and drawdown responses. Results and conclusions. The features of pressure superposition during interference between fractures in horizontal wells with multi-stage hydraulic fracturing determine the occurrence of a radial-like flow regime in the mid-time period of pressure buildup, provided the well is shut in after a short production. An empirical relation is obtained for this regime, which can be used to estimate reservoir flow capacity kh/µ with acceptable accuracy. It is shown that for reservoir with permeability of ~0.1 mD the radial-like flow regime can predominantly be achieved only during the initial stage of well production period. Methodology is presented to obtain reliable interpretation results based on a series of well tests with the achievement of the radial-like flow regime. Blind testing of the methodology on synthetic pressure buildup data revealed that, in addition to the radial-like flow response, the subsequent transitional flow regime plays an important role in improving interpretation confidence, and the way the model is matched to this regime predetermines further steps in interpretation. Analysis of synthetic buildup data for reservoirs with permeability of ~0.01–0.1 mD shows that the appearance of the radial-like flow regime is preserved for a sufficiently long time even with a complex production history. Although the time to reach the radial-like flow regime in such wells is within 1–3 months, the proposed testing methods have potential for application at pilot stages of field development.
Keywords:
well tests, horizontal well, multistage hydraulic fracturing, flow capacity, radial-like regime
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