Lattice Numerical Simulations of Lab-Scale Hydraulic Fracture and Natural Interface Interaction

Bakhshi, Elham; Rasouli, Vamegh; Ghorbani, Ahmad; Marji, Mohammad Fatehi; Damjanac, Branko; Wan, Xincheng

doi:10.1007/s00603-018-1671-2

Cited by 49 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…The discrete lattice method (Figure 1), which is a commercial version developed by Itasca, is a simplified discrete element method based on the synthetic rock and lattice theory [33][34][35][36][37][38]. The central difference equations used to calculate the translational freedom degrees of the nodes [33,36] are expressed as, .…”

Section: Discrete Lattice Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Investigation on Propagation Behaviors of a Three-Dimensional Fracture Network Coupled with Microseismicity in Fractured Shale Reservoirs

Wu¹,

Huang²,

Xu³

et al. 2021

Energies

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The formation mechanism and propagation behaviors of a three-dimensional hydraulic fracture network in fractured shale reservoirs remain unclear, especially when the scale of hydraulic fractures is much larger than that of natural fractures. In this study, taking the well XH in the Longmaxi shale reservoir in the Sichuan Basin, China as an example, we develop a fully three-dimensional numerical model for hydraulic fracturing coupled with microseismicity based on the discrete lattice method. We introduce a randomly generated discrete fracture network into the proposed model and explore the formation mechanism of the hydraulic fracture network under the condition that the hydraulic fractures are much larger than natural fractures in scale. Moreover, microseismic events are inversely synthesized in the numerical model, which allows the evolution of the fracture network to be monitored and evaluated quantitatively. In addition, we analyze the effects of injection rate, horizontal stress difference, and fluid viscosity on fracture propagation. Our results show that when the scale of hydraulic fractures is much larger than that of natural fractures, the fracture morphology of “main hydraulic fractures + complex secondary fractures” is mainly formed. We find that a high injection rate can not only create a complex fracture network, but also improve the uniform propagation of multi-cluster fractures and enhance far-field stimulation efficiency. Optimizing the horizontal wellbore intervals with low horizontal stress differences as the sweet spots of hydraulic fracturing is also beneficial to improve the stimulation efficiency. For zones with a large number of natural fractures, it is recommended to use an injection schedule with high viscosity fluid early and low viscosity fluid late to allow the hydraulic fractures to propagate to the far-field to maximize the stimulation effect.

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Section: Discrete Lattice Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical Investigation on Propagation Behaviors of a Three-Dimensional Fracture Network Coupled with Microseismicity in Fractured Shale Reservoirs

Wu¹,

Huang²,

Xu³

et al. 2021

Energies

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“…The simulation found that the growth of hydraulic fractures in the middle area was inhibited and could not continue to propagate through the bedding like the fractures on the outside. Bakhshi et al (2019) studied the propagation behavior of HF when hydraulic fractures are orthogonal to NF in three-dimensional space. The research shows that increasing the approximation angle and cohesion is more conducive to promoting the crossing propagation of HF.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation Study on Interactive Propagation of Hydraulic Fractures and Natural Fractures in Shale Oil Reservoir

et al. 2022

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Natural fractures are developed in the shale oil reservoir, and the hydraulic fracture (HF) morphology is complex. The fracture shape can be inverted by using fracture propagation numerical simulation technology, which provides guidance for fracturing parameter design and fracturing process optimization. However, the existing models still have many deficiencies in the interactive propagation mechanism of HF and natural fracture (NF). Based on the three interactive modes of HF and NF (HF propagation without NF, HF propagation with full NF, and HF propagation with half NF), this work establishes the fracture propagation model and puts forward the simulation calculation method. The Brinkman equation is used to modify the leakage model based on Darcy’s law, and G1701H well is taken as an example to simulate the fracture propagation law under different interaction modes. The research shows that there is a transition region between the HF wall and rock matrix. The greater the porosity and permeability of the rock matrix, the more significant the influence of the transition region on leakage. The NF zone will change the propagation direction of the main fracture. When there are multiple clusters of fractures in the same fracturing section, only some HFs meet with natural fractures, and it is easy to form a “T”-shaped fracture network. The results improve the existing hydraulic fracturing model and provide help for fracturing parameter design and fracture parameter inversion of the shale oil reservoir.

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“…These are crossing, opening (HF only propagates along the interface), offsetting (HF reinitiate on the other side of the interface after a short propagation along the interface), and arresting (HF cannot cross or open the interface) mechanisms (Guo et al, 2017). Bakhshi et al (2019) performed hydraulic fracture simulations based on a lattice-based method to investigate the interaction modes between the hydraulic fracture and natural interfaces considering the variable shear strength of interfaces. All simulation results are consistent with the laboratory experiment results (Sarmadivaleh and Rasouli, 2015) and proved the applicability and accuracy of the lattice-based method, which will be used in this article.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lattice Numerical Simulations of Hydraulic Fracture Propagation and Their Geometry Evolution in Transversely Isotropic Formations

et al. 2021

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Accurate prediction of the fracture geometry before the operation of a hydraulic fracture (HF) job is important for the treatment design. Simplified planar fracture models, which may be applicable to predict the fracture geometry in homogeneous and continuous formations, fail in case of fractured reservoirs and laminated formations such as shales. To gain a better understanding of the fracture propagation mechanism in laminated formations and their vertical geometry to be specific, a series of numerical models were run using XSite, a lattice-based simulator. The results were studied to understand the impact of the mechanical properties of caprock and injection parameters on HF propagation. The tensile and shear stimulated areas were used to determine the ability of HF to propagate vertically and horizontally. The results indicated that larger caprock Young’s modulus increases the stimulated area (SA) in both vertical and horizontal directions, whereas it reduces the fracture aperture. Also, larger vertical stress anisotropy and tensile strength of caprock and natural interfaces inhibit the horizontal fracture propagation with an inconsiderable effect in vertical propagation, which collectively reduces the total SA. It was also observed that an increased fluid injection rate suppresses vertical fracture propagation with an insignificant effect on horizontal propagation. The dimensionless parameters defined in this study were used to characterize the transition of HF propagation behavior between horizontal and vertical HFs.

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Lattice Numerical Simulations of Lab-Scale Hydraulic Fracture and Natural Interface Interaction

Cited by 49 publications

References 31 publications

Numerical Investigation on Propagation Behaviors of a Three-Dimensional Fracture Network Coupled with Microseismicity in Fractured Shale Reservoirs

Numerical Investigation on Propagation Behaviors of a Three-Dimensional Fracture Network Coupled with Microseismicity in Fractured Shale Reservoirs

Simulation Study on Interactive Propagation of Hydraulic Fractures and Natural Fractures in Shale Oil Reservoir

Lattice Numerical Simulations of Hydraulic Fracture Propagation and Their Geometry Evolution in Transversely Isotropic Formations

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