Numerical Investigation of Hydraulic Fractures Vertical Propagation Mechanism for Enhanced Tight Gas Recovery

Jianshu Wu (), Baitao Fan, Guangai Wu, Chengyong Peng, Zhengrong Chen, Wei Yan, Cong Xiao, Wei Liu, Mingliang Wu and Lei Zou
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Jianshu Wu: CNOOC Research Institute Ltd., Beijing 100028, China
Baitao Fan: CNOOC Ltd., Beijing 100010, China
Guangai Wu: CNOOC Research Institute Ltd., Beijing 100028, China
Chengyong Peng: CNOOC Research Institute Ltd., Beijing 100028, China
Zhengrong Chen: CNOOC Research Institute Ltd., Beijing 100028, China
Wei Yan: Unconventional Petroleum Research Institute, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
Cong Xiao: Unconventional Petroleum Research Institute, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
Wei Liu: Unconventional Petroleum Research Institute, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
Mingliang Wu: Unconventional Petroleum Research Institute, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China
Lei Zou: Unconventional Petroleum Research Institute, China University of Petroleum, Beijing 102249, China

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 15, 1-24

Abstract: Hydraulic fracturing stands as a pivotal technological approach for enhanced tight gas recovery. This paper investigates the influences of geological and engineering parameters on the vertical extension mechanism of hydraulic fractures. In addition, the feasibility and effectiveness of fracture height prediction method and various fracture height control techniques have been examined. The results indicate that the height of hydraulic fractures decreases with an increase in the thickness of the barrier layers, the stress difference between the barrier and reservoir layers, the difference in tensile strength, and the difference in fracture toughness, whereas it increases with the increasing of difference in elastic modulus between the barrier and reservoir layers. Compred with the difference in Poisson’s ratio, the volume of fracturing fluid, discharge rate, and fluid viscosity have little impactd. The influence of these factors on fracture height, in descending order, is stress difference between barrier and reservoir layers, fracturing fluid viscosity, fracturing discharge, fracturing fluid volume, barrier layer thickness, tensile strength difference between barrier and reservoir layers, elastic modulus difference between barrier and reservoir layers, Poisson’s ratio difference between barrier and reservoir layers. Furthermore, based on typical geomechanic and reservoir parameters of the target area, a fracture height prediction workflow has been developed. Engineering practice has proven the reliability of fracture height prediction method. The results of this study provide theoretical support and guidance for predicting fracture morphology, controlling fracture height in the hydraulic fracturing development of the tight gas reservoir, and optimizing fracturing process design.

Keywords: tight sandstone; hydraulic fracturing; enhanced tight gas recovery; fracture vertical propagation; fracture height prediction (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: 2024
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