Numerical Simulation on Deflecting Hydraulic Fracture with Refracturing Using Extended Finite Element Method

Jianxiong Li, Shiming Dong, Wen Hua, Yang Yang and Xiaolong Li
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Jianxiong Li: Key Laboratory Deep Underground Science and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu 610065, China
Shiming Dong: Key Laboratory Deep Underground Science and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu 610065, China
Wen Hua: Key Laboratory Deep Underground Science and Engineering, College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu 610065, China
Yang Yang: CNOOC Research Institute Co. Ltd., Beijing 100028, China
Xiaolong Li: Sinopec Petroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute, Beijing 100083, China

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 11, 1-19

Abstract: Refracturing is a key technology in enhancing the conductivity of fractures from hydraulically-fractured wells. However, the deflecting mechanism of the diverting fracture is still unclear. In this paper, a fully coupled seepage-stress model based on the extended finite element method (XFEM) was developed to realize the deflection mechanism of the refracturing fractures. The modified construction of refracturing was then verified by laboratory experiments. Furthermore, two new deflection angles considering the influence area along initial fracture length were introduced to evaluate the refracturing. The numerical results demonstrated that: (1) lower stress difference, larger perforation angle and longer perforation depth can lead to a higher deflection angle, thereby a more curving propagation path of the diverting fracture; (2) increasing injection rate or fluid viscosity can significantly enhance the diverting behavior; and (3) an initial location near the root of the initial fracture results in a larger value of the deflection angle, which is preferred for far-field refracturing. The conclusions in this study can be a systematic guide for the parameter optimization in refracturing treatment.

Keywords: refracturing; deflecting mechanism; seepage-stress; extended finite element method (XFEM); diverting fracture; deflection angle (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: 2019
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