A new chart of hydraulic fracture height prediction based on fluid–solid coupling equations and rock fracture mechanics

Abstract

The conventional method to predict hydraulic fracture height depends on linear elastic mechanics, and the typical Gulrajani–Nolte chart fails to reflect fracture height when the net pressure in the fracture is too high. Based on fluid–solid coupling equations and rock fracture mechanics, a new chart is obtained by the ABAQUS extended finite-element method. Compared with the Gulrajani–Nolte chart, this new chart shows that longitudinal propagation of hydraulic fracture is still finite when the net pressure in the fracture is higher than in situ stress difference between reservoir and restraining barrier. The barrier has a significant shielding effect on the longitudinal propagation of hydraulic fracture, and there is a threshold for an injection rate of fracturing fluid to ensure hydraulic fracture propagates in the barrier. Fracture height decreases with the increase of in situ stress difference. When the ratio of net pressure to in situ stress difference is less than 0.56, the propagation of hydraulic fracture is completely restricted in the reservoir. Hydraulic fracturing parameters in Well Shen52 and Well Shen55 are optimized by using the new chart. Array acoustic wave logging shows that the actual fracture height is at an average error within 14.3% of the theoretical value, which proves the accuracy of the new chart for field application.

Phase‐Field Simulation of Hydraulic Fracturing by CO2, Water and Nitrogen in 2D and Comparison With Laboratory Data

“…Because of potential effect of leak‐off on fracture creation, the fluid flux calculation is a key focus in our work. In some models, a leak‐off coefficient is introduced to adjust the leak‐off between the fracture and the matrix (Liu, Qu, et al., 2018; Song et al., 2019). However, a clear interpretation of the selection of this coefficient for different fluids is missing.…”

Mode I Fracture Toughness Test and Fractal Character of Fracture Trajectory of Red Sandstone under Real-Time High Temperature

“…According to the research results of Zuo et al [1][2][3][4], it can be concluded that the roughness of the fracture surface after fracture is a comprehensive reflection of its microstructure, a magnitude of load and temperature [47,48]. erefore, the fracture trajectory is closely related to the roughness of the rock mass structural surface [49][50][51][52][53]. According to the research results of Liu et al [53], the roughness of the structural plane can directly affect the shear strength and permeability of surrounding rock, whereas the shear strength and permeability are closely related to the stability and compactness of nuclear waste storage.…”

Research and Application of Radial Borehole Fracturing Based on Numerical Simulation

“…Here, the criteria of fracture initiation (maximum principal stress) and propagation (maximum energy release rate) are established, and the damage mechanism of the model is defined [23].…”