Gas Channeling Identification in Fractured Condensate Gas Reservoirs: Methodology and Application

During the cyclic gas injection development in fractured condensate gas reservoirs, gas channeling along fractures and other high-permeability paths is a key factor leading to poor development effect. Although various methods for identifying gas channeling have been proposed, there remains an urgent need in the field for a diagnostic tool that is rapid, responsive, and based on production data. In this study, simple and practical method for gas channeling identification is proposed and validated. First, reservoir connectivity patterns are classified based on the gas productivity index to enable a static assessment of gas channeling risk. Then, by analyzing the dynamic evolution of the gas-oil ratio (GOR) under different connectivity patterns, a set of quantitative criteria for gas channeling identification is established and verified using field data. The results show that the gas injection process can be divided into three typical stages: effective injection stage, gas breakthrough stage, and gas channeling stage. Gas channeling is identified when a sharp increase in the derivative of GOR is observed. The proposed method is highly applicable in field operations. It enables real-time diagnosis of gas channeling and provides critical support for the timely adjustment and optimization of gas injection strategies.