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Staged multicluster fracturing in horizontal wells is the key technology for forming complex fractures in shale reservoirs. The existence of shale bedding plays a conspicuous role for the propagation path of hydraulic fractures, affecting the propagation of the fracture height direction prominently. A 3D finite element model containing three clusters signed as side clusters and middle cluster was established based on the cohesive zone model and the dynamic distribution mechanism of interfracture flow. And the correctness of the model was verified by literature comparison. Some factors including cluster spacing, horizontal stress difference, shale bedding strength, perforation density, injection rate, and viscosity of fracturing fluid which influenced fracture propagation behavior of bedding shale were simulated. The results indicate that the stress interference of the middle cluster by the clusters on both sides will be prominently obvious when the cluster spacing is less than 10 m. Multiclusters will penetrate across the shale bedding when the horizontal stress difference is more than 4 MP, which will conspicuously reduce the activated probability of discontinuities and the complexity of fracture geometry. In correspondence with increase of horizontal stress difference, the interference between clusters also increases prominently, which will conspicuously decrease the propagation of the middle cluster. In order to comprehensively equalize the length of multiclusters, the inhibition of intercluster stress interference on the middle cluster propagation can be counteracted by improving pressure drop in perforation. The high injection rate and viscosity of fracturing fluid will contribute to the shale bedding shear slip increasingly, which is conducive to the formation of complex fractures in areas with well-developed bedding. The study has a certain guiding significance for the operation parameter design of multicluster fracturing in bedded shale.

The complex fracture network formed by volume fracturing of shale gas reservoir is very important to the effect of reservoir reconstruction. The existence of bedding interface will change the propagation path of the hydraulic fracture in the vertical direction and affect the reservoir reconstruction range in the height direction. The three-point bending test is used to test and study the mechanical parameters and fracture propagation path of natural outcrop shale core. On this basis, a two-dimensional numerical model of hydraulic fracture interlayer propagation is established based on the cohesive element. Considering the fluid-solid coupling in the process of hydraulic fracturing, the vertical propagation path of hydraulic fracture under different reservoir properties and construction parameters is simulated. According to the results, the strength of the bedding interface is the weakest, the crack propagation resistance along the bedding interface is the smallest, and the crack propagation path is straight. When the crack does not propagate along the bedding interface, the fracture propagation resistance is large, and the fracture appears as an arc propagation path or deflection. The difference between vertical stress and minimum horizontal stress difference, interlayer stress difference and interface stiffness will have a significant impact on the propagation path of vertical fractures. Large injection rate and high viscosity fluid injection are helpful for vertical fractures to pass through the bedding interface, and low viscosity fracturing fluid is helpful to open the bedding interface. This research work is helpful to better understand the characteristics of bedding shale and the interlayer propagation law of vertical fractures, and to form the stimulation strategy of shale gas reservoir.

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