Numerical Analysis on the Optimization of Hydraulic Fracture Networks

Zhaobin Zhang, Xiao Li, Weina Yuan, Jianming He, Guanfang Li and Yusong Wu
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Zhaobin Zhang: Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Xiao Li: Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Weina Yuan: School of Geology Engineering and Geomatics, Chang’an University, Xi’an 710064, China
Jianming He: Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Guanfang Li: Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Yusong Wu: Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China

Energies, 2015, vol. 8, issue 10, 1-19

Abstract: The clear understanding of hydraulic fracture network complexity and the optimization of fracture network configuration are important to the hydraulic fracturing treatment of shale gas reservoirs. For the prediction of hydraulic fracture network configuration, one of the problems is the accurate representation of natural fractures. In this work, a real natural fracture network is reconstructed from shale samples. Moreover, a virtual fracture system is proposed to simulate the large number of small fractures that are difficult to identify. A numerical model based on the displacement discontinuity method is developed to simulate the fluid-rock coupling system. A dimensionless stress difference that is normalized by rock strength is proposed to quantify the anisotropy of crustal stress. The hydraulic fracturing processes under different stress conditions are simulated. The most complex fracture configurations are obtained when the maximum principle stress direction is perpendicular to the principle natural fracture direction. In contrast, the worst results are obtained when these two directions are parallel to each other. Moreover, the side effects of the unfavorable geological conditions caused by crustal stress anisotropy can be partly suppressed by increasing the viscous effect of the fluid.

Keywords: complex fracture network; displacement discontinuity method; hydraulic fracturing; shale gas; stress anisotropy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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