Effect of Foliation and Fluid Viscosity on Hydraulic Fracturing Tests in Mica Schists Investigated Using Distinct Element Modeling and Field Data

This study investigates numerically several hydraulic fracturing experiments that were performed on intact cubic Pocheon granite samples applying different injection protocols. The goal of the laboratory experiments is to test the concept of cyclic soft stimulation which aims to increase permeability sustainably among others. The Irazu 2D numerical code is used to simulate explicitly coupled hydraulic diffusion and fracturing processes under bi-axial stress conditions. Using the hybrid finite-discrete element modelling approach, we test two injection schemes, constant-rate continuous injection and cyclic progressive injection on homogeneous and heterogeneous samples. Our study focuses on the connection between the geometry of hydraulic fractures, fracturing mechanisms and the permeability increase after injection. The models capture several characteristics of the hydraulic fracturing tests using a time-scaling approach. The numerical simulation results show good agreement with the laboratory experiments in terms of pressure evolution characteristics and fracture pattern. Based on the simulation results, the constant-rate continuous and cyclic progressive injection schemes applied to heterogeneous rock sample with pre-existing fractures show the highest hydraulic aperture increase, and thus permeability enhancement.

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“…This numerical effect is reported in several numerical studies, e.g. Farkas et al [18] and Parisio [34].…”

Section: Investigation Of Injection Schemes On Homogeneous Samplessupporting

confidence: 70%

Numerical investigation of laboratory hydraulic fracturing tests in Pocheon granite

et al. 2022

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Special Issue “Hydraulic Fracturing in Hard Rock”

Zang

Stephansson

2019

Rock Mech Rock Eng

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Micromechanics of hydraulic fracturing and damage in rock based on DEM modeling

Tomac

Gutierrez

2020

Granular Matter

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Effect of Foliation and Fluid Viscosity on Hydraulic Fracturing Tests in Mica Schists Investigated Using Distinct Element Modeling and Field Data

Abstract: Effect of foliation and fluid viscosity on hydraulic fracturing tests in mica schists investigated using distinct element modeling and field data

Cited by 6 publications

References 15 publications

Numerical investigation of laboratory hydraulic fracturing tests in Pocheon granite

Numerical investigation of laboratory hydraulic fracturing tests in Pocheon granite

Special Issue “Hydraulic Fracturing in Hard Rock”

Micromechanics of hydraulic fracturing and damage in rock based on DEM modeling

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