Equivalent Modeling and Simulation of Fracture Propagation in Deep Coalbed Methane

Cong Xiao, Jiayuan He (), Lin Meng, Rusheng Zhang and Dong Xiong
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Cong Xiao: Key Laboratory of Marine Oil and Gas Reservoirs Production, SINOPEC Petroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute, Beijing 100083, China
Jiayuan He: Key Laboratory of Marine Oil and Gas Reservoirs Production, SINOPEC Petroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute, Beijing 100083, China
Lin Meng: Key Laboratory of Marine Oil and Gas Reservoirs Production, SINOPEC Petroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute, Beijing 100083, China
Rusheng Zhang: SINOPEC Petroleum Exploration and Production Research Institute, Beijing 100083, China
Dong Xiong: School of Petroleum Engineering, Yangtze University, Wuhan 430100, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-22

Abstract: Deep coalbed methane (CBM) is challenging to develop due to considerable burial depth, high ground stress, and complex geological structures. However, modeling deep CBM in complex formations and setting reasonable simulation parameters to obtain reasonable results still needs exploration. This study presents a comprehensive equivalent finite element modeling method for deep CBM. The method is based on the cohesive element with pore pressure of the zero-thickness (CEPPZ) model to simulate hydraulic fracture propagation and characterize the effects of bedding interfaces and natural fractures. Taking Ordo’s deep CBM in China as an example, a comprehensive equivalent model for hydraulic fracturing was developed for the limestone layer–coal seam–mudstone layer. Then, the filtration parameters of the CEPPZ model and the permeability parameters of the deep CBM reservoir matrix were inverted and calibrated using on-site data from fracturing tests. Finally, the propagation path of hydraulic fractures was simulated under varying ground stress, construction parameters, and perforation positions. The results show that the hydraulic fractures are more likely to expand into layers with low minimum horizontal stress; the effect of a sizable fluid injection rate on the increase in hydraulic fracture length is noticeable; the improvement effect on fracture length and area gradually weakens with the increased fracturing fluid volume and viscosity; and when directional roof limestone/floor mudstone layer perforation is used, and the appropriate perforation location is selected, hydraulic fractures can communicate the coal seam to form a roof limestone/floor mudstone layer indirect fracturing. The results can guide the efficient development of deep CBM, improving the human society’s energy structure.

Keywords: deep coalbed methane; hydraulic fracturing; cohesive element; finite element simulation; hydraulic fracture propagation (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: 2025
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