Numerical well test for well with finite conductivity vertical fracture in coalbed

A new well test model is developed for the hydraulic fractured well in coalbed by considering the following aspects: methane desorption phenomena, finite conductivity vertical fractures, and asymmetry of the fracture about the well. A new parameter is introduced to describe the storage of the fracture, which is named as a combined fracture storage. Another new concept called the fracture asymmetry coefficient is used to define the asymmetry of the fracture about the well. Finite element method (FEM) is used to solve the new mathematical model. The well test type curves and pressure fields are obtained and analyzed. The effects of the combined fracture storage, desorption factor, fracture conductivity, and fracture asymmetry coefficient on the well test type curves are discussed in detail. In order to verify the new model, a set of field well test data is analyzed.