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Hydraulic Fracturing Simulation of Complex Fractures Growth in Naturally Fractured Shale Gas Reservoir

  • Research Article - Petroleum Engineering
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Abstract

Hydraulic fracturing is regarded as one of the essential techniques for developing shale reservoirs at present. During fracturing, propagation of multi-fractures and complex fracture network is developed as result of interactions between preexisting natural fractures and hydraulic fractures, as evidenced by microseismic event patterns. This paper introduces a new mathematic model for analyzing the growth and geometry of fracture network in association with criterions of dilation and propagation based on the theory of fracture mechanics. The solution method concentrates on both extension description and dimensions calculation of every branching fracture through local explicit computation and iteration improvement. Simulation results indicate that the complex fracture network significantly depends on the features of preexisting natural fractures, optimization of fracturing parameters and materials for realizing simultaneous extension at higher net pressure. The areas with less horizontal stress contrast would increase curvature radius of fracture propagation path, which facilitates interconnection with more natural fractures on the lateral plane, and also expands network volume. Propagating angle and pressure at fracture tip for further propagation and dimensions computation are influenced by the properties of natural fractures, such as length and orientation. By using actual treatment parameters, complex fracture model is corrected against microseismic monitoring patterns by matching the distribution and density of interpretation data with geometry and complexity of simulation results; it is also applicable to fracturing design.

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  1. State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, No. 8 Xindu Road, Xindu District, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

    Wang Song, Zhao Jinzhou & Li Yongming

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  1. Wang Song
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  2. Zhao Jinzhou
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  3. Li Yongming
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Correspondence to Wang Song.

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Song, W., Jinzhou, Z. & Yongming, L. Hydraulic Fracturing Simulation of Complex Fractures Growth in Naturally Fractured Shale Gas Reservoir. Arab J Sci Eng 39, 7411–7419 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-014-1221-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-014-1221-5

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