Investigation of Fracturing Network Propagation in Random Naturally Fractured and Laminated Block Experiments

Yu Wang, Xiao Li, Jianming He, Zhiheng Zhao and Bo Zheng
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Yu Wang: Key Laboratory of Shale Gas and Geoengineering, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Xiao Li: Key Laboratory of Shale Gas and Geoengineering, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Jianming He: Key Laboratory of Shale Gas and Geoengineering, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Zhiheng Zhao: Key Laboratory of Shale Gas and Geoengineering, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China
Bo Zheng: Key Laboratory of Shale Gas and Geoengineering, Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China

Energies, 2016, vol. 9, issue 8, 1-15

Abstract: Researchers have recently realized thatsilty laminas are very developed in naturally fractured continentalsedimentary formations in the Ordos Basin(China). Studies have shown that silty laminas are significant to improve the physical properties and gas storage capacity, and the natural fractures interact with the hydraulic fractures to maximize the fracture network during hydraulic fracturing. However, the influence of silty laminas withrandom fractures on the created hydraulic fracture networkis not well understood. Laboratory experiments are proposed to investigate the evolution of fracture networks in naturally fractured formations with model blocks that contain laminas and random fractures. The influence of dominating factors was studied and analyzed, with an emphasis on stress ratio, injection rate, and laminae strength. Macroscopic failure morphology descriptions combined with meso 3-D laser scanning techniques are both used to reveal the evolution of fracture networks. It is suggested that high injection rate, medium laminae strength, and low stress ratio tend to increase the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV). The interactions between the silty laminae and random natural fractures affect the effect of hydraulic fracturing effectiveness. This work strongly links the production technology and fracability evaluation in the continental shale formation. It can aid in the understanding and optimization of hydraulic fracturing simulations in silty laminae shale reservoirs.

Keywords: hydraulic fracturing; silty laminae; random natural fractures; laboratory test; fracture network propagation (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: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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