A Damage-Based Fully Coupled DFN Study of Fracture-Driven Interactions in Zipper Fracturing for Shale Gas Production

Fushen Liu, Yang Mou, Fenggang Wen, Zhiguang Yao, Xinzheng Yi, Rui Xu and Nanlin Zhang ()
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Fushen Liu: Research Center of Coastal and Urban Geotechnical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Yang Mou: Research Center of Coastal and Urban Geotechnical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Fenggang Wen: Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Lacustrine Shale Gas Accumulation and Exploitation, Xi’an 710065, China
Zhiguang Yao: Shale Gas Research Institute, PetroChina Southwest Oil & Gasfield Company, Chengdu 610500, China
Xinzheng Yi: Research Center of Coastal and Urban Geotechnical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Rui Xu: Research Center of Coastal and Urban Geotechnical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
Nanlin Zhang: Research Center of Coastal and Urban Geotechnical Engineering, College of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-33

Abstract: As a significant energy source enabling the global energy transition, efficient shale gas development is critical for diversifying supplies and reducing carbon emissions. Zipper fracturing widely enhances the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) by generating complex fracture networks of shale reservoirs. However, recent trends of reduced well spacing and increased injection intensity have significantly intensified interwell interference, particularly fracture-driven interactions (FDIs), leading to early production decline and well integrity issues. This study develops a fully coupled hydro–mechanical–damage (HMD) numerical model incorporating an explicit discrete fracture network (DFN), opening and closure of fractures, and an aperture–permeability relationship to capture the nonlinear mechanical behavior of natural fractures and their role in FDIs. After model validation, sensitivity analyses are conducted. Results show that when the horizontal differential stress exceeds 12 MPa, fractures tend to propagate as single dominant planes due to stress concentration, increasing the risks of FDIs and reducing effective SRV. Increasing well spacing from 60 m to 110 m delays or eliminates FDIs while significantly improving reservoir stimulation. Fracture approach angle governs the interaction mechanisms between hydraulic and natural fractures, influencing the deflection and branching behavior of primary fractures. Injection rate exerts a dual influence on fracture extension and FDI risk, requiring an optimized balance between stimulation efficiency and interference control. This work enriches the multi-physics coupling theory of FDIs during fracturing processes, for better understanding the fracturing design and optimization in shale gas production.

Keywords: shale gas development; zipper fracturing; FDIs; fully coupled HMD model; DFN (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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