Journal of Earth Science, December 2014 ISSN 1674-487X

Printed in China
DOI: 10.1007/s12583-014-0501-z

Triple Medium Physical Model of Post Fracturing High-Rank

Coal Reservoir in Southern Qinshui Basin
Shiqi Liu1, Shuxun Sang*2, Qipeng Zhu2, Jiefang Zhang2, Hefeng Gao2, Huihu Liu3, Lixing Lin4
1. School of Safety Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
2. Key Laboratory of Coalbed Methane Resources and Reservoir Formation Process, Ministry of Education, School of Mineral
Resource and Geoscience, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou 221116, China
3. School of Geoscience and Environment, Anhui University of Science and Technology, Huainan 232001, China
4. Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Regina, Regina S4S0A2, Canada

ABSTRACT: In this paper, influences on the reservoir permeability, the reservoir architecture and
the fluid flow pattern caused by hydraulic fracturing are analyzed. Based on the structure and pro-
duction fluid flow model of post fracturing high-rank coal reservoir, Warren-Root Model is im-
proved. A new physical model that is more suitable for post fracturing high-rank coal reservoir is
established. The results show that the width, the flow conductivity and the permeability of hydraulic
fractures are much larger than natural fractures in coal bed reservoir. Hydraulic fracture changes
the flow pattern of gas and flow channel to wellbore, thus should be treated as an independent me-
dium. Warrant-Root Model has some limitations and can’t give a comprehensive interpretation of
seepage mechanism in post fracturing high-rank coal reservoir. Modified Warrant-Root Model sim-
plifies coal bed reservoir to an ideal system with hydraulic fracture, orthogonal macroscopic frac-
ture and cuboid matrix. Hydraulic fracture is double wing, vertical and symmetric to wellbore. Coal
bed reservoir is divided into cuboids by hydraulic fracture and further by macroscopic fractures.
Flow behaviors in coal bed reservoir are simplified to three step flows of gas and two step flows of
water. The swap mode of methane between coal matrix and macroscopic fractures is pseudo steady
fluid channeling. The flow behaviors of methane to wellbore no longer follow Darcy’s Law and are
mainly affected by inertia force. The flow pattern of water follows Darcy’s Law. The new physical
model is more suitable for post fracturing high-rank coal reservoir.
KEY WORDS: triple medium physical model, high-rank coal reservoir, hydraulic fracture, seepage,
southern Qinshui Basin.

0 INTRODUCTION
Physical model is used to study the seepage mechanism,
to provide necessary parameters to mathematical simulation,
and to verify results of mathematical simulation and to propose
new mathematical model (Liu, 2013; Chen, 2009; Zhang et al.,
2003). Physical model of coal bed reservoir is the foundation
of coal bed reservoir modeling (Liu, 2013; Chen, 2009; Zhang
et al., 2003). Before coal bed reservoir modeling, geologic
model should be idealized initially and physical model which
can be depicted by mathematical formula should be established
(Liu, 2013; Chen, 2009; Zhang et al., 2003). Interpretation of
seepage mechanism given by physical model determines the
accuracy of mathematical simulation to a great extent (Liu,
2013; Chen, 2009; Zhang et al., 2003). At present, scholars
mostly use Warren-Root Model for depicting pore-fracture
*Corresponding author: shuxunsang@163.com
© China University of Geosciences and Springer-Verlag Berlin
Heidelberg 2014
Manuscript received June 25, 2014.
Manuscript accepted October 26, 2014.
system, flow behaviors and flow laws in coal bed reservoir.
Warren-Root Model is double medium physical model estab-
lished for porous medium in oil-gas reservoir (Liu, 2013; Chen,
2009; Zhang and Tong, 2008; Fu and Qin, 2003). Warren-Root
Model gives detailed and comprehensive interpretations to
seepage mechanism in naturally fractured oil-gas reservoir
(Xue, 2009; Zhang and Tong, 2008). Coal bed reservoir, espe-
cially the high-rank coal reservoir, is ternary pore-fracture
system formed by macro-fracture, micro-fracture and pore (Liu,
2013; Chen, 2009; Fu and Qin, 2003; Zhang et al., 2003). Coal
bed reservoir has greater aeolotropism and lower permeability,
which is very different from naturally fractured oil-gas reser-
voir (Liu, 2013; Liu et al., 2012a; Chen, 2009; Fu and Qin,
2003; Zhang et al., 2003). Before exploitation, coal bed is al-
ways stimulated by hydraulic fracturing. Warren-Root Model
has great distortion to depict seepage mechanism of post frac-
turing high-rank coal reservoir (Liu, 2013; Chen, 2009; Xue,
2009; Zhang and Tong, 2008; Zhang et al., 2003). Differences
of composition and modality between hydraulic fracture and
natural fracture, changes of flow pattern and flow level after
hydraulic fracturing both have not been fully studied. The
study of hydraulic fracture has not been separated from that of

Liu, S. Q., Sang, S. X., Zhu, Q. P., et al., 2014. Triple Medium Physical Model of Post Fracturing High-Rank Coal Reservoir in
Southern Qinshui Basin. Journal of Earth Science. doi:10.1007/s12583-014-0501-z
2 Shiqi Liu, Shuxun Sang, Qipeng Zhu, Jiefang Zhang, Hefeng Gao, Huihu Liu and Lixing Lin
natural fracture and treated as an individual medium. The study
of coal reservoir model has not been broken away from the
model of double medium (matrix and cleat). Accordingly,
physical model for interpretation of seepage mechanism and
coal bed reservoir mathematical simulation has not been estab-
lished (Xue, 2009; Zhang and Tong, 2008).
The study of physical model of post fracturing high-rank
coal reservoir in southern Qinshui Basin is of great importance
to deeply understand of the flow mechanism and the regular
pattern of gas and water, to guide the stimulation implement
and to enrich the coal bed methane (CBM) exploitation mech-
anism in China. Taking the high-rank coal reservoir in southern
Qinshui Basin as an example, structure model and flow pattern
with and without hydraulic fracturing are compared in this
paper. On the basis of structure model and flow model of post
fracturing high-rank coal reservoir, Warren-Root Model is
improved. New physical model that more is more suitable for
post fracturing high-rank coal reservoir was established to help
the establishment of coal bed reservoir mathematical model.
1 INFLUENCES ON THE HIGH-RANK COAL RES-
ERVOIR CAUSED BY HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
1.1 Influences on the Reservoir Permeability Caused by
Hydraulic Fracturing in Research Area
Macro-fractures in No. 3 coal bed reservoir are
non-developed and often filled by calcite and other minerals.
The characteristics of macro-fractures are less favorable for the
permeability of reservoir. Coal bed reservoir gives priority to
micropores and transition pores, followed by macropores, and
mesopores is non-developed. The characteristics of pores are
favorable for gas adsorbing and less favorable for diffusion and
Table 1 Permeability with and without hydraulic fracturing
Reservoir permeability after hydraulic fracturing (×10-3 μm2)
Orientation with maximum Orientation with least
principal stress
Maximum value 31.20
Minimum value 5.16
Average value 16.25
Besides larger conductivity and permeability of hydraulic
fractures, during hydraulic fracturing, part of natural fractures
are stretched and opened that their permeability is accreted. At
the same time, parts of natural fractures are connected by hy-
draulic fracture that reservoir permeability is also heightened.
Although reservoir permeability at orientation with the least
principal stress is much smaller than that at orientation with
maximum principal stress, it is also much larger than the natu-
ral reservoir permeability. That means coal bed is also opened
at orientation with least principal stress. Part of natural frac-
tures are stretched and opened too that their permeability is
increased. Different from the orientation with maximum prin-
cipal stress, expanded range at orientation with least principal
stress is smaller, hydraulic fracture is shorter, and reconstruc-
tions to reservoir are weaker.
In conclusion, on the one hand, hydraulic fracture has
larger permeability than natural reservoir and contact area be-
seepage of gas. In a word, No. 3 coal bed reservoir in research
area has low permeability. According to the well testing analy-
sis data, variation of permeability in No. 3 coal bed reservoir is
large, of the permeabilities in No. 3 coal bed reservoir are in
the range of 0.001×10-3 to 0.63×10-3 μm2 with the average of
0.17×10-3 μm2. There are 25.71% of CBM wells whose
permeabilities are less than 0.1×10-3 μm2, and 51.43% of CBM
wells whose permeabilities are 0.01×10-3–0.63×10-3 μm2, and
22.86% of CBM wells whose permeabilities are
0.1×10-3–1×10-3 μm2. So, No. 3 coal bed reservoir is low to
middle permeability reservoir and low permeability reservoir is
more developed (Table 1).
Because of the lower permeability, before exploitation,
coal bed is always stimulated by hydraulic fracturing (Li et al.,
2013; Liu et al., 2013, 2012b; Meng et al., 2010; Ni et al.,
2009). Development degree of the hydraulic fracture in re-
search area is much larger than the natural fracture. According
to results of the hydraulic fracturing monitoring and the nu-
merical simulation, lengths of major hydraulic fractures are
162.70–218.70 m, with the average of 194.59 m. Widths of
hydraulic fractures are 0.009–0.036 m, with the average of
0.022 m. Heights of hydraulic fractures can be regarded as
reservoir thicknesses which are 5.30–8.60 m, with the average
of 6.42 m. However, widths of macro-fractures are less than
0.001 m and macro-fractures are often filled by calcite and
other minerals. According to results of numerical simulation
and field engineering monitoring, after hydraulic fracturing,
permeability of No. 3 coal bed reservoir has a great increase
(Table 1). So, hydraulic fracture has larger flow conductivity
and permeability.
Reservoir permeability without
hydraulic fracturing (×10-3 μm2)
principal stress
9.03 0.63
0.24 0.01
3.37 0.17
tween hydraulic fracture and macroscopic fractures is also
much larger than contact area between macroscopic fractures
and wellbore. After hydraulic fracturing, hydraulic fracture
becomes the most important medium for fluid flow. On the
other hand, after hydraulic fracturing, permeability at orienta-
tion with maximum principal stress is much larger than that at
orientation with least principal stress. Hydraulic fracture
mainly expands at orientation with maximum principal stress
and not expands at orientation with least principal stress.
1.2 Influences on the Structure Model of High-Rank Coal
Reservoir Caused by Hydraulic Fracturing
According to the analysis above, conductivity and per-
meability of hydraulic fracture are much larger than that of
natural fracture in No. 3 coal bed reservoir. Hydraulic fracture
should be considered when the macrostructure model of post
fracturing high-rank coal reservoir is established. Structure
Triple Medium Physical Model of Post Fracturing High-Rank Coal Reservoir in Southern Qinshui Basin 3

models of exogenous fractures and cleats are the same as
structure models without hydraulic fracturing. The reservoir
respectively developed two groups of exogenic fractures and
cleats. Exogenic fractures and cleats are controlled by
palaeotectonic stress field. Cleats density of high-rank coal is
much less than middle rank coal, however, this characteristic
causes low permeability of high-rank coal reservoir (Fig. 1). So,
macrostructure model of post fracturing high-rank coal reser-
voir is integration of macrostructure model of high-rank coal
reservoir without hydraulic fracture and characteristics of hy-
draulic fracture. The reservoir mainly developed one group of
hydraulic fracture with the direction of NE50°. The direction is
controlled by modern tectonic stress field (Fig. 2). Hydraulic
fracture has larger flow conductivity and permeability than
natural fractures. At the same time, hydraulic fracturing
stretches and opens part of natural fractures that accretes the
permeability of natural fracture. Hydraulic fracture connects
part of natural fractures that increases the formation communi-
cation of natural fractures and the permeability of coal reser-
voir.
Post fracturing high-rank coal reservoir has the same mi-
crostructure model with the high-rank coal reservoir without
hydraulic fracturing: No. 3 coal bed reservoir universally de-
velops three types of micro-fissure: shrinkage micro-fissure,
static pressure micro-fissure and structure micro-fissure.
Micro-fissure is the important passageway connecting pore and
cleat. No. 3 coal reservoir universally develops ultramicro-
scopic fissures which cut through part of gas pores. Intermo-
lecular pore and residual gas pore are the main pores in No. 3
coal bed reservoir, followed by plant tissue pore and meta-
morphic gas pore, and some intergranular pore (Fig. 3) (Sang
et al., 2009).

Face cleat
Butt cleat

Exogenous fracture
Dull coal

Bright coal
Semi-bright coal
Semi-dull coal

Butt cleat Face cleat

Exogenous fracture

Bright coal

Semi-bright coal

Semi-dull coal

Figure 1. Macrostructure model of high-rank reservoir in research area.

Butt cleat

Face cleat

Exogenous fracture
Dull coal
Bright coal Hydraulic fracture
Semi-bright coal
Semi-dull coal

Butt cleat
Face cleat

Exogenous fracture

Bright coal Hydraulic fracture

Semi-bright coal
Semi-dull coal

Figure 2. Macrostructure model of post fracturing high-rank reservoir in research area.

4 Shiqi Liu, Shuxun Sang, Qipeng Zhu, Jiefang Zhang, Hefeng Gao, Huihu Liu and Lixing Lin

Intergranular pore Static pressure fissure 1.3 Influences on the Production Fluid Flow of
Fusinite Tekinite High-Rank Coal Reservoir Caused by Hydraulic Fractur-
Structural Shrinkage fissure
ing
fissure
Macrinite According to the analysis above, after hydraulic fracturing,
hydraulic fracture becomes the most important flow channel to
Plant tissue pore Corpocollinite wellbore. Comparing with fluid supply capacity from hydraulic
100× fracture to wellbore, fluid supply capacity from macro-fracture
Residual gas pore Gas pore to wellbore can be ignored. According to diffusion and seepage
regular pattern of methane in hydraulic fracture, seepage pat-
tern of methane in hydraulic fracture is turbulent flow which is
greatly different from seepage pattern in macro-fracture (Figs.
4, 5). Seepage pattern of methane in hydraulic fracture should
Ultramicroscopic fissure and be treated separately. In a word, hydraulic fracture changes
intermolecular pore flow pattern of methane and passageway to wellbore. So, hy-
10 000× draulic fracture should not be simply regarded as natural frac-
ture with larger permeability, however, hydraulic fracture
Figure 3. Microstructure model of high-rank reservoir in
should be separated from natural fracture and treated as an
research area.
individual medium.

Surface diffusion & knudsen

diffusion & transition diffusion
Ultramicroscopic
transition pore

Macro-fracture
Microbore &

Mesopore &

Micro-fissure
macropore

Surface diffusion & knudsen Transition Transition diffusion & Transition diffusion &

Wellbore
fissure

diffusion & transition diffusion diffusion Fick diffusion Fick diffusion Fick diffusion
Laminar flow & Laminar flow & Transition flow &
transition flow transition flow turbulent flow

Transition diffusion & Fick diffusion

Laminar flow & transition flow

Figure 4. Flow model of methane in pore-fracture system without hydraulic fracture.

Surface diffusion & knudsen

diffusion & transition diffusion Fick diffusion
Transition flow & turbulent flow
Ultramicroscopic

Macro-fracture
transition pore

Mesopore &

Micro-fissure
Microbore &

Transition diffusion &

macropore

Surface diffusion & knudsen Transition Transition diffusion &

Hydraulic

Wellbore
fracture
fissure

diffusion & transition diffusion diffusion Fick diffusion Fick diffusion Fick diffusion Fick diffusion
Laminar flow & Laminar flow & Transition flow & turbulent flow
transition flow transition flow turbulent flow

Transition diffusion & Fick diffusion

Laminar flow & transition flow

Figure 5. Flow model of methane in pore-fracture system with hydraulic fracture.

Based on the fluid flow model in high-rank coal reservoir through triple medium to wellbore and the flow pattern is three
without hydraulic fracturing, methane goes through microbores, step flows (Fig. 5). Migration process of methane also has
transition pores and ultramicroscopic fissures to mesopores/ some changes. On the one hand, methane in macroscopic frac-
macropores mainly with transition diffusion. Methane migrates ture directly migrates to wellbore as transition flow, turbulent
from mesopores, macropores and micro-fissures to macro- flow and Fick diffusion (Fig. 5). On the other hand, because
fractures with transition diffusion, Fick diffusion and laminar that hydraulic fracture connects part of macroscopic fracture,
flow, transition flow (Fig. 4). methane initially moves to hydraulic fracture as transition flow,
Comparing with fluid flow model in high-rank coal res- turbulent flow and Fick diffusion, then migrates to wellbore as
ervoir without hydraulic fracturing, because that hydraulic turbulent flow and Fick diffusion through hydraulic fracture
fracture is treated as an individual medium, methane goes (Fig. 5).
Triple Medium Physical Model of Post Fracturing High-Rank Coal Reservoir in Southern Qinshui Basin 5

Similarly, according to the fluid flow model in high-rank macroscopic fracture as laminar flow (Fig. 6). Comparing with
coal reservoir without hydraulic fracturing, seepage type of fluid flow model in high-rank coal reservoir without hydraulic
water is always laminar flow (Fig. 6). Water that is contained fracturing, water goes through double medium to wellbore
in mesopores, macropores and micro-fissures also migrates to which is two step flows (Fig. 7).

Laminar flow

Mesopore & Laminar flow Laminar flow Laminar flow

Micro-fissure Macro-fracture Wellbore
macropore

Matrix

Figure 6. Flow model of water in pore-fracture system without hydraulic fracture.

Laminar flow

Mesopore & Laminar flow Laminar flow Laminar flow Laminar flow
macropore Micro-fissure Macro-fracture Hydraulic fracture Wellbore

Laminar flow
Matrix

Figure 7. Flow model of water in pore-fracture system with hydraulic fracture.

2 PHYSICAL MODEL OF POST FRACTURING trix only supplies methane to macro-fracture (Fig. 9) (Kong,
HIGH-RANK COAL RESERVOIR 2010; Ge, 2003; Poollen and Jargon, 1969; Warren, 1964;
Physical model of coal bed reservoir contains reservoir Warren and Root, 1963).
model and flow model. Reservoir model describes major char-
acteristics of media. Flow model describes flow behaviors of Wellbore Macro-fracture
fluid in media (Chen, 2009; Zhang et al., 2003). Physical mod-
el can be described by mathematical model and serves reser- Matrix
voir modeling. Physical model in research area is established
by idealizing characteristics of pores, natural fractures, hydrau-
lic fracture and flow pattern of the fluid.

Methane Water
2.1 Warren-Root Model
At present, major physical model for coal bed reservoir Figure 8. Warren-Root Model.
modeling is Warren-Root Model. Warrant-Root Model simpli-
fies double medium (matrix and natural fractures) reservoir to Wellbore Wellbore
an ideal system with orthogonal macroscopic fracture and cu-
boid matrix (Fig. 8) (Kong, 2010; Ge, 2003; Poollen and Jar-
gon, 1969; Warren, 1964; Warren and Root, 1963). Coal bed
reservoir was divided into cuboid by macroscopic fractures Kc Macro-fracture
(Fig. 8) (Kong, 2010; Ge, 2003; Poollen and Jargon, 1969; Micro-fracture
Warren, 1964; Warren and Root, 1963). In Warren-Root Model, Km Matrix Kc Macro-fracture
the orientation of macroscopic fractures is consistent with the Flow behavior of methane Flow behavior of water
orientation of major permeability. The width of macroscopic
fractures is constant (Kong, 2010; Ge, 2003; Poollen and Jar- Figure 9. Flow behaviors of Warren-Root Model.
gon, 1969; Warren, 1964; Warren and Root, 1963). Macro-
fracture network can be uniformly distributed or non-uniformly Warren-Root Model consists of double medium: matrix
distributed. Non-uniformly distributed macro-fracture network (pore and micro-fissure) and macro-fracture. Flow level of
is used to study nonisotropy of macro-fracture system and methane is two step flows: matrix to macro-fracture and
variation of permeability at a certain direction (Kong, 2010; Ge, macro-fracture to wellbore. Flow level of water is single step
2003). Matrix is the major preserving space of methane. Me- flow: macro-fracture to wellbore. The flow patterns of methane
thane adsorbs in microbores and transition pores in matrix are desorption, diffusion and seepage. The flow pattern of wa-
(Xue, 2009; Fu et al., 2007). Macro-fractures are not only the ter is only seepage. When mathematical model is established, it
major preserving spaces of water, but also the major seepage is ordinarily considered that: desorbed methane migrates form
channel of water and gas (Xue, 2009; Fu et al., 2007). Only matrix to macro-fracture with Fick diffusion; methane migrates
macro- fracture supplies water and methane to wellbore. Ma- from macro-fracture to wellbore with Fick diffusion and lami-
6 Shiqi Liu, Shuxun Sang, Qipeng Zhu, Jiefang Zhang, Hefeng Gao, Huihu Liu and Lixing Lin
nar flow; water also flows from macro-fracture to wellbore
with laminar flow. Fick diffusion follows Fick’s Law of diffu-
sion and laminar flow follows Darcy’s Law. Fick’s Law of
diffusion and Darcy’s Law can be expressed as Eq. (1) and Eq.
(2) (Pang et al., 2009; Fu et al., 2007; Zhang et al., 2003).
C C  2C
J   Df or  Df 2 (1)
x t  x
where, J is the diffusion velocity; Df is the coefficient of Fick
C
diffusion; is the concentration gradient at diffusion
x
direction; C is the concentration of methane.
 K
v   gradP (2)

where, v is the flow velocity of fluid; K is the permeability of
medium;  is the viscosity of fluid; gradP is the gradient of
seepage pressure
Without regarding the diffusion of methane in matrix,
Warren-Root Model can depict characteristics of high-rank
coal reservoir without hydraulic fracturing well. However, it is
not the case in post fracturing high-rank coal reservoir. Firstly,
hydraulic fracture becomes the most important medium for
water and methane flowing to wellbore. Water and gas mainly
flow to hydraulic fracture from macro-fracture and then flows
to wellbore from hydraulic fracture. Secondly, hydraulic frac-
ture changes flow levels of fluid. One more medium (hydraulic
fracture) and one more flow behavior (macro-fracture to hy-
draulic fracture) appear in flow model. Thirdly, the diffusion of
methane in pore-fracture system is not only Fick diffusion.
Methane mainly migrates as transition diffusion in microbores,
transition pores and ultramicroscopic fissures, and changes
from transition diffusion to Fick diffusion in mesopores,
macropores and micro-fissures that can be regard as Fick dif-
fusion. Methane just migrates with Fick diffusion in mac-
ro-fractures and hydraulic fracture. So, without regarding the
diffusion of methane in matrix, diffusion pattern of methane
can be regard as Fick diffusion. Finally, flow patterns of me-
thane in mesopores, macropores and micro-fissures are not
only laminar flow but also transition flow. Methane flows in
macro-fracture with transition flow and turbulent flow, flows
with turbulent flow in hydraulic fracture. So, Darcy’s Law is
no longer suitable for the seepage of methane in macro-fracture
and hydraulic fracture. Inertia force should be considered. Be-
cause of the difference of flow patterns in macro-fracture and
hydraulic fracture, Warren-Root Model can’t give a compre-
hensive interpretation of seepage mechanism in post fracturing
high-rank coal reservoir.
2.2 Modified Warren-Root Model
In order to satisfy high-rank coal reservoir modeling,
Warren-Root Model is improved and physical model of post
fracturing high-rank coal in southern Qinshui Basin is estab-
lished, based on the structure model and flow model of post
fracturing high-rank coal reservoir.
2.2.1 Reservoir model
According to the analysis above, hydraulic fracture should
be treated as an individual medium in post fracturing high-rank
coal reservoir. Hydraulic fracture in No. 3 coal bed reservoir is
vertical fracture, just extends in coal bed and is symmetric to
wellbore. Hydraulic fracture mainly extends at orientation with
maximum principal stress and less extends at orientation with
least principal stress. Only considering major hydraulic frac-
ture, coal bed reservoir is simplified to an ideal system with
hydraulic fracture, orthogonal macroscopic fracture and cuboid
matrix. Coal bed reservoir was divided into cuboids by hydrau-
lic fracture and further by macroscopic fractures (Fig. 10).
Hydraulic fracture is double wing, vertical, symmetric to
wellbore and points to wellbore. The direction of hydraulic
fracture is in accordance with major permeability. Suppose that
the width of hydraulic fracture is a constant. The direction of
macro-fracture also is also in accordance with major permea-
bility. Also suppose that the width of macro-fracture is a con-
stant. Macro-fracture network can be uniform distribution or
non-uniform distribution. Matrix is major preserving space of
methane. Methane adsorbs in microbores and transition pores
in matrix. Macro-fractures are not only major preserving spac-
es of water, but also major seepage channel of water and gas.
Hydraulic fracture is the major seepage channel of water and
methane to wellbore.
2.2.2 Flow model
Based on the modified Warren-Root reservoir model, flow
model is established by flow patterns of post fracturing
high-rank coal reservoir in southern Qinshui Basin.
Without regarding the migration of methane in matrix,
methane undergoes triple medium to wellbore which is three
step flows. In physical model, triple medium means matrix
(pore and micro-fissure), macro-fracture and hydraulic fracture.
Water undergoes double medium to wellbore which is two step
flows. In physical model, double medium means mac-
ro-fracture and hydraulic fracture. Suppose that only hydraulic
fracture supplies water and methane to wellbore. Matrix and
macro-fracture don’t supply water and methane to wellbore
and matrix only supplies methane to macro-fracture (Fig. 11).
According to the flow patterns of post fracture high-rank
coal reservoir, in matrix, methane mainly migrates as transition
diffusion in micropores, transition pores and ultramicroscopic
fissures. Methane mainly flows as Fick diffusion and laminar
flow in mesopores and macropores. No. 3 coal bed reservoir in
research area gives priority to micropores, transition pores,
ultramicroscopic fissures and micro-fissures. Macropore and
mesopore is non-development. So, diffusion pattern of
Wellbore Macro-fracture Hydraulic fracture
Matrix
Methane Water
Figure 10. Modified Warren-Root Model.
Triple Medium Physical Model of Post Fracturing High-Rank Coal Reservoir in Southern Qinshui Basin 7

Wellbore Wellbore garded as pseudo steady fluid channeling. Pseudo steady fluid
Kf Hydraulic fracture channeling can be expressed by Barenblatt’s equation of fluid
channeling (Eq. (4)) (Kong, 2010; Ge, 2003). Methane mi-
Kc Macro-fracture Kf Hydraulic fracture grates from macro-fracture into hydraulic fracture by Fick
Micro-fracture diffusion and transition flow (Fig. 12). Methane migrates from
Km Matrix Kc Macro-fracture hydraulic fracture into wellbore as Fick diffusion and turbulent
Flow behavior of methane Flow behavior of water flow (Fig. 12). During diffusion process of methane to well-
bore, diffusion follows Fick’s Law of diffusion expressed by
Figure 11. Flow behaviors of modified Warren-Root Model. Eq. (1). Seepage of methane no long follows Darcy’s Law
during flow process. The influence of inertial force should be
methane in matrix can be regarded as transition diffusion considered. The seepage can be expressed by binomial expres-
which means that desorption methane in micropores and tran- sion of non-linear fluid flow (Eq. (5)) (Kong, 2010; Ge, 2003).
sition pores migrates as transition diffusion in matrix. Coeffi-
cient of transition diffusion can be expressed as Eq. (3) (Pang  Km
q  Pm  Pf  (4)
et al., 2009). 

1 1 1 where, q is the rate of fluid channeling of methane between

 
DP Df Dk
where, DP is the coefficient of transition diffusion; Dk is
1 8RT
the coefficient of Knudsen diffusion, Dk  r , and r
3 πM
is the pore diameter/fracture width, R is the universal gas con-
stant, T is the absolute temperature, M is the molar mass of
methane.
Without regarding the migration of methane in matrix,
desorption methane in matrix mainly diffuses and flows to
macro-fractures through micro-fissures. The swap mode of
methane between matrix and macro-fractures can be regarded
as Fick diffusion and laminar flow, and gives priority to lami-
nar flow. Because that seepage pattern is laminar flow, and
laminar flow belongs to time invariant seepage, the swap mode
of methane between matrix and macro-fractures can be re-
(3)
matrix and macro-facture;  is the form factor between matrix
and macro-facture; Km is the permeability of matrix; Pm is the
pressure of matrix; Pf is the pressure of macro-fracture.
dP 
  v   v 2 (5)
dx K
where,  is the factor of non-Darcy flow;  is the density of
fluid.
Water in pores and micro-fissures of coal bed reservoir is
often ignored because of the small amount. Water mostly oc-
curs in macro-fractures. Water initially flows to hydraulic
fracture from macro-fractures, then flows to wellbore from
hydraulic fracture. Seepage patterns of water in macro-fracture
and hydraulic fracture are both laminar flow and follow Dar-
cy’s Law (Eq. (2)) (Fig. 12).

Pseudosteady Macroscopic Fick diffusion Hydraulic Fick diffusion

Methane Matrix Fluid channeling fracture Transition flow fracture Transition flow
Wellbore

Macroscopic Laminar flow Hydraulic Laminar flow

Water fracture Wellbore
fracture

Figure 12. Flow model of modified Warren-Root Model.

According to the analysis above, flow model is estab-
lished.
(1) Methane undergoes triple medium to wellbore. Swap
mode of methane between matrix and macro-fractures is pseu-
do steady fluid channeling and follows Barenblatt’s equation of
fluid channeling. Methane migrates from macro-fractures into
hydraulic fracture as Fick diffusion and transition flow, and
migrates from hydraulic fracture to wellbore as Fick diffusion
and turbulent flow. Fick diffusion follows Fick’s Law of diffu-
sion and seepage can be expressed by binomial expression of
non-linear fluid flow (Fig. 12).
(2) Water first flows to hydraulic fracture from mac-
ro-fractures as laminar flow, then flows to wellbore from hy-
draulic fracture as laminar flow. Seepage pattern of water fol-
lows Darcy’s Law (Fig. 12).
In conclusion, based on the Warren-Root Model, hydrau-
lic fracture is treated as an individual medium according to the
characteristics of structure and exploitation reality. The join of
hydraulic fracture gives good interpretations to the changes of
flow patterns from macro-fractures to hydraulic fracture and
the great differences of water and gas production rate between
post fracturing CBM wells and unfractured CBM wells. So,
modified Warren-Root Model is more suitable for post fractur-
ing high-rank coal reservoir. According to modified Warren-
Root Model, mathematical model of high-rank coal reservoir
using for reservoir simulation study of southern Qinshui Basin
can be established.
3 CONCLUSIONS
(1) Hydraulic fracture is the major flow channel for mi-
gration of water and methane to wellbore in southern Qinshui
Basin. The amount of fluid supplied by macro-fractures to
8 Shiqi Liu, Shuxun Sang, Qipeng Zhu, Jiefang Zhang, Hefeng Gao, Huihu Liu and Lixing Lin
wellbore can be ignored. Flow patterns of methane in hydraulic
fracture are different from macro-fractures. Hydraulic fracture
should be treated as an individual medium.
(2) Post fracturing high-rank coal reservoir in research
area mainly develops one group of hydraulic fracture with high
permeability and high flow conductivity. Flow behaviors of
methane and water make hydraulic fracture as a type of indi-
vidual medium. Methane goes through triple medium which is
three step flows. Water undergoes double medium which is two
step flows. Methane migrates from hydraulic fracture into
wellbore as Fick diffusion and turbulent flow. Water flows
from hydraulic fracture to wellbore as laminar flow.
(3) Warren-Root Model can depict characteristics of
high-rank coal reservoir without hydraulic fracturing, but can’t
give a comprehensive interpretation of seepage mechanism in
post fracturing high-rank coal reservoir well. Warren-Root
Model is improved on basis of structure and flow model of
post fracturing high-rank coal reservoir. Coal bed reservoir is
simplified to an ideal system with hydraulic fracture, orthogo-
nal macroscopic fracture and cuboid matrix. Coal bed reservoir
was divided into cuboids by hydraulic fracture and further by
macroscopic fractures. Hydraulic fracture is double wing, ver-
tical and symmetric to wellbore. Swap mode of methane be-
tween matrix and macro-fracture is pseudo steady fluid chan-
neling and follows Barenblatt’s equation of fluid channeling.
Seepage of methane no long follows Darcy’s Law and can be
expressed by binomial expression of non-linear fluid flow.
Seepage of water follows Darcy’s Law. Modified Warren-Root
Model can give a comprehensive interpretation of seepage
mechanism in post fracturing high-rank coal reservoir.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This study was supported by the National Natural Science
Foundation of China (Nos. 41330638, 41272154, 51325403,
51104148, and 51204162), the Priority Academic Program
Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions (PAPD),
and Jiangsu Planned Projects for Postdoctoral Research Funds
(No. 1302049B). We thank Mengxi Li and Lilong Wang from
the Shanxi CBM Branch of Huabei Oilfield Company for their
supports. We are acknowledged anonymous reviewers for their
constructive review and detailed comments.
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