Fracture Propagation Laws and Influencing Factors in Coal Reservoirs of the Baode Block, Ordos Basin

Qingfeng Zhang, Yongchen Li, Ziling Li, Yanbin Yao, Fengfeng Du, Zebin Wang, Zhihao Tang, Wen Zhang and Shutong Wang ()
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Qingfeng Zhang: PetroChina Coalbed Methane Company Limited, Beijing 100028, China
Yongchen Li: PetroChina Coalbed Methane Company Limited, Beijing 100028, China
Ziling Li: PetroChina Coalbed Methane Company Limited, Beijing 100028, China
Yanbin Yao: School of Energy Resource, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Fengfeng Du: School of Energy Resource, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Zebin Wang: PetroChina Coalbed Methane Company Limited, Beijing 100028, China
Zhihao Tang: PetroChina Coalbed Methane Company Limited, Beijing 100028, China
Wen Zhang: PetroChina Coalbed Methane Company Limited, Beijing 100028, China
Shutong Wang: School of Energy Resource, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-15

Abstract: The expansion of hydraulic fractures in coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs is key to effective stimulation, making it essential to understand fracture propagation and its influencing factors for efficient resource development. Using petrological characteristics, logging data, microseismic monitoring, and fracturing reports from the Baode Block on the eastern Ordos Basin, this study systematically investigates the geological and engineering factors influencing hydraulic fracture propagation. The real-time monitoring of fracture propagation in 12 fractured wells was conducted using microseismic monitoring techniques. The results indicated that the fracture orientations in the study area ranged from NE30° to NE60°, with fracture lengths varying between 136 and 226 m and fracture heights ranging from 8.5 to 25.3 m. Additionally, the fracturing curves in the study area can be classified into four types: stable, descending, fluctuating, and falling. Among these, the stable and descending types exhibit the most effective fracture propagation and are more likely to generate longer fractures. In undeformed–cataclastic coals and bright and semi-bright coals, long fractures are likely to form. When the Geological Strength Index (GSI) of the coal rock ranges between 60 and 70, fracture lengths generally exceed 200 m. When the coal macrolithotype index (S m ) is below 2, fracture lengths typically exceed 200 m. When the difference between the maximum and minimum horizontal principal stresses exceeds 5 MPa, fractures with length >180 m are formed, while fracture heights generally remain below 15 m. From an engineering perspective, for the study area, hydraulic fracturing measures with a preflush ratio of 20–30%, an average sand ratio of 13–15%, and a construction pressure between 15 MPa and 25 MPa are most favorable for coalbed methane production.

Keywords: coalbed methane; hydraulic fracturing; fracture propagation; coal structure; coal macrolithotype; in situ stress (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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