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Poro-elasto-plastic modeling of complex hydraulic fracture propagation: simultaneous multi-fracturing and producing well interference

Poro-elasto-plastic modeling of complex hydraulic fracture propagation: simultaneous... With the increasing wide use of hydraulic fractures in the petroleum industry, it is essential to accurately predict the behavior of fractures based on the understanding of fundamental mechanisms governing the process. For effective reservoir exploration and development, hydraulic fracture pattern, geometry and associated dimensions are critical in determining well stimulation efficiency. In shale formations, non-planar, complex hydraulic fractures are often observed, due to the activation of preexisting natural fractures and the interaction between multiple, simultaneously propagating hydraulic fractures. The propagation of turning non-planar fractures due to the interference of nearby producing wells has also been reported. Current numerical simulation of hydraulic fracturing generally assumes planar crack geometry and weak coupling behavior, which severely limits the applicability of these methods in predicting fracture propagation under complex subsurface conditions. In addition, the prevailing approach for hydraulic fracture modeling also relies on linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) by assuming the rock behaves purely elastically until complete failure. LEFM can predict hard rock hydraulic fracturing processes reasonably, but often fails to give accurate predictions of fracture geometry and propagation pressure in ductile and quasi-brittle rocks, such as poorly consolidated/unconsolidated sands and ductile shales, even in the form of simple planar geometry. In this study, we present a fully coupled poro-elasto-plastic model for hydraulic fracture propagation based on the theories of extend finite element, cohesive zone method and Mohr–Coulomb plasticity, which is able to capture complex hydraulic fracture geometry and plastic deformations in reservoir rocks explicitly. To illustrate the capabilities of the model, example simulations are presented including ones involving simultaneously propagating multiple hydraulic fractures and producing well interference. The results indicate that both stress shadow effects and producing well interference can alter hydraulic fracture propagation behavior substantially, and shear failure in ductile reservoir rocks can indeed make a significant difference in fracturing pressure and final fracture geometry. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Acta Mechanica Springer Journals

Poro-elasto-plastic modeling of complex hydraulic fracture propagation: simultaneous multi-fracturing and producing well interference

Wang, HanYi
Acta Mechanica , Volume 227 (2) – Sep 29, 2015
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References (50)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2015 by Springer-Verlag Wien
Subject
Engineering; Theoretical and Applied Mechanics; Classical Continuum Physics; Continuum Mechanics and Mechanics of Materials; Structural Mechanics; Vibration, Dynamical Systems, Control; Engineering Thermodynamics, Heat and Mass Transfer
ISSN
0001-5970
eISSN
1619-6937
DOI
10.1007/s00707-015-1455-7
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

With the increasing wide use of hydraulic fractures in the petroleum industry, it is essential to accurately predict the behavior of fractures based on the understanding of fundamental mechanisms governing the process. For effective reservoir exploration and development, hydraulic fracture pattern, geometry and associated dimensions are critical in determining well stimulation efficiency. In shale formations, non-planar, complex hydraulic fractures are often observed, due to the activation of preexisting natural fractures and the interaction between multiple, simultaneously propagating hydraulic fractures. The propagation of turning non-planar fractures due to the interference of nearby producing wells has also been reported. Current numerical simulation of hydraulic fracturing generally assumes planar crack geometry and weak coupling behavior, which severely limits the applicability of these methods in predicting fracture propagation under complex subsurface conditions. In addition, the prevailing approach for hydraulic fracture modeling also relies on linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM) by assuming the rock behaves purely elastically until complete failure. LEFM can predict hard rock hydraulic fracturing processes reasonably, but often fails to give accurate predictions of fracture geometry and propagation pressure in ductile and quasi-brittle rocks, such as poorly consolidated/unconsolidated sands and ductile shales, even in the form of simple planar geometry. In this study, we present a fully coupled poro-elasto-plastic model for hydraulic fracture propagation based on the theories of extend finite element, cohesive zone method and Mohr–Coulomb plasticity, which is able to capture complex hydraulic fracture geometry and plastic deformations in reservoir rocks explicitly. To illustrate the capabilities of the model, example simulations are presented including ones involving simultaneously propagating multiple hydraulic fractures and producing well interference. The results indicate that both stress shadow effects and producing well interference can alter hydraulic fracture propagation behavior substantially, and shear failure in ductile reservoir rocks can indeed make a significant difference in fracturing pressure and final fracture geometry.

Journal

Acta Mechanica – Springer Journals

Published: Sep 29, 2015

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