Numerical Simulation of Fracturing Fluid Storage in Shale Reservoirs Based on Experimental Measurements of Stress Sensitivity of Hydraulic Fracture Network Conductivity

Tianhao Wang and Fujian Zhou ()
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Tianhao Wang: National Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China
Fujian Zhou: National Key Laboratory of Petroleum Resources and Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China

Energies, 2024, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: Hydraulic fracturing is used in shale reservoir production, with low flowback rates and a large amount of fracturing fluid retained inside the reservoir. In this study, a stress sensitivity analysis experiment on the fracture inflow capacity was implemented to investigate the relationship between the hydraulic fracture (HF) and natural fracture (NF) inflow capacities and effective stress. A three-dimensional shale reservoir model was also constructed to couple the experimentally obtained laws with the numerical model to investigate the effects of the connection and closure of the fracture network on the retention of the fracturing fluid. The results show that the stress sensitivity of natural fractures is two orders of magnitude higher than that of hydraulic fractures. The seepage-absorption effect of capillary forces is not the whole reason for the large amount of fracturing fluid retention. The closure of the fracture network formed by natural and hydraulic fractures during the production process led to the storage of a large amount of fracturing fluid, and this process maintained the stability of the water production rate during the steady water production period.

Keywords: shale reservoirs; fracture network; flowback (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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