Tight gas reservoirs constitute a vital element of the global energy portfolio, yet their development remains constrained by complex production behaviour, particularly regarding water generation and reservoir management. Extremely low matrix permeability, reliance on hydraulic fracturing, and extensive wellbore–fracture contact create systems highly susceptible to multiphase flow challenges, rapid pressure depletion, and changes in fracture conductivity. Among the most persistent issues is the initiation and escalation of water production, which can restrict gas deliverability, elevate operational costs, and diminish overall recovery.

Water in tight gas systems may arise from several mechanisms, including fracture-driven invasion, reservoir heterogeneity, completion fluids, and condensate-related effects. Once mobilised, water can induce liquid loading, reduce gas relative permeability, and increase formation backpressure—effects that are particularly acute in unconventional reservoirs where nano-Darcy permeability accentuates the long-term impact of fluid invasion. These challenges become even more significant in heterogeneous formations, where poor connectivity and variable rock quality often lead to substantial bypassed gas volumes that require focused diagnostics and targeted intervention to unlock.

This session invites contributions that advance the diagnosis, monitoring, and mitigation of water production in tight gas reservoirs, with an added emphasis on technologies and workflows aimed at identifying opportunities to unlock bypassed reserves and maximise condensate recovery in complex, heterogeneous systems. Topics of interest include advanced surveillance tools (e.g. tracers, production logging, and real-time diagnostics), innovative chemical and mechanical water-control strategies, fracture design and diversion optimisation, and integrated reservoir–well–facility management practices. Case studies demonstrating improved gas recovery, reduced water handling, and successful re-entry or refracturing campaigns targeting stranded reserves are particularly encouraged.

By strengthening collaboration across subsurface, completions, and production disciplines, this workshop aims to accelerate the deployment of effective, data-driven strategies that minimise water-related constraints while maximising access to previously bypassed gas in heterogeneous tight reservoirs.