A Novel Equivalent Continuum Approach for Modelling Hydraulic Fractures

Eziz Atdayev, Ron C. K. Wong and David W. Eaton
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Eziz Atdayev: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Ron C. K. Wong: Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
David W. Eaton: Department of Geoscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 23, 1-13

Abstract: Hydraulic fracturing has transitioned into widespread use over the last few decades. There are a variety of numerical methods available to simulate hydraulic fracturing. However, most current methods require a large number of input parameters, of which the values of some parameters are poorly constrained. This paper proposes a new method of modelling the hydraulically fractured region using void-ratio dependent relation to define the permeability of the fractured region. This approach is computationally efficient and reduces the number of input parameters. By implementing this method with an equivalent continuum representation, uncertainties are reduced arising from heterogeneity and anisotropy of earth materials. The computational efficiency improves modelling performance in stress sensitive zones such as in the vicinity of the injection well or near faults.

Keywords: hydraulic fracturing; void ratio; permeability; FEM; ABAQUS (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: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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