Pressure Transient Analysis and Transient Inflow Performance Relationship of Multiple-Fractured Horizontal Wells in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs by a Trilinear Flow Model

[Image: see text] Trilinear flow model is an effective method to reproduce the flow behavior for horizontal wells with multistage hydraulic fracture treatments in unconventional reservoirs. However, models developed so far for transient analysis have rarely considered the inflow performance of wells. This paper introduces a new composite dual-porosity trilinear flow model for the multiple-fractured horizontal well in the naturally fractured reservoirs. The analytical solution is derived under a constant rate condition for analyzing transient pressure behaviors and generating the transient inflow performance relationships (IPRs). The plots of pressure profiles with time could provide insightful information about various flow regimes that develop throughout the entire production cycle. Sensitivity analysis of pressure and pressure derivative response was also performed by varying different parameters (such as hydraulic fracture width and permeability, reservoir configurations, etc.) and by which the impacts of different parameters on the durations of regimes as well as the productivity index can be confirmed. The main outcomes obtained from this study are as follows: (1) the ability to characterize naturally fractured reservoirs using a new composite dual-porosity trilinear flow model; (2) the application of analytical solutions of transient analysis to generate transient IPR curves for different flow regimes; (3) understanding the effect of reservoir configurations, fractures, and matrix characteristics on pressure distribution, flow regime duration, and transient IPR. More specifically, the pressure drop increases and the productivity index decreases with the decrease of the hydraulic fracture conductivity and the increase of matrix permeability and the skin factor. Also, the larger hydraulic fracture spacing and drainage area result in the later onset of the pseudo-steady-state regime. (4) A comprehensive study on transient pressure behaviors and transient inflow performance can provide valuable information to characterize the multifractured complex systems as well as some insights into the production.