Abstract
Understanding the generation process of complex fracture network is essential for optimizing the hydraulic fracturing strategy in shale formations. In this study, laboratory fracturing was performed on shale specimens containing multiple bedding planes (BPs) combined with acoustic emission (AE) monitoring and computerized tomography scanning techniques. The injection pressure curve and the time dependency and hypocenter mechanisms of AE events in different stages were analyzed in detail. The relationship between AE spatial localization and hydraulically connected region were then further quantitatively discussed. Experimental results show that the characteristics of the pressure curve and AE response reflect well the hydraulic fracture (HF) growth behavior in layered shale. Shear events were detected around some weak BPs far away from the wellbore before the HF initiation. Stable injection pressure and a few AE events with low amplitude along the BP may indicate the stage of fluid leak-off. Numerous shear and tensile AE events and drastic pressure changes occur during the generation of a fracture network including breakdown in rock matrix and activation of multiple BPs. The shear instability of weak BPs caused by the stress perturbation during pressurization and HF growth tends to result in overestimation of the effective stimulated reservoir volume/hydraulically connected region.
Similar content being viewed by others
Abbreviations
- \({\sigma _{\text{h}}}\) :
-
Horizontal minimum principal stress
- \({\sigma _{\text{H}}}\) :
-
Horizontal maximum principal stress
- \({\sigma _{\text{v}}}\) :
-
Vertical stress
- \(Q\) :
-
Injection rate
- \(\mu\) :
-
Fluid viscosity
- \(\lambda\) :
-
Proportion of dilatational first motions
- \(t\) :
-
Injection time
- \({N_{{\text{AE}}}}\) :
-
Accumulative number of AE events
- SRV :
-
Stimulated reservoir volume
- ESRV :
-
Effective stimulated reservoir volume
- R a :
-
Accuracy rate of estimation
References
Agarwal K, Mayerhofer M, Warpinski N (2012) Impact of geomechanics on microseismicity. In: SPE European unconventional resources conference and exhibition, Society of Petroleum Engineers
Barree RD, Conway MW, Gilbert JV, Woodroof RA (2010) Evidence of strong fracture height containment based in complex shear failure and formation anisotropy. In: SPE annual conference and exhibition, Society of Petroleum Engineers
Bennour Z, Ishida T, Nagaya Y, Chen YQ, Nara Y, Chen Q, Sekine K, Nagano Y (2015) Crack extension in hydraulic fracturing of shale cores using viscous oil, water, and liquid carbon dioxide. Rock Mech Rock Eng 48:1463–1473
Cipolla CL, Warpinski NR, Mayerhofer MJ, Lolon EP (2008) The relationship between fracture complexity, reservoir properties, and fracture treatment design. SPE Prod Oper 25(4):438–452
Frash L, Gutierrez M, Hampto J (2013) Scale model simulation of hydraulic fracturing for EGS reservoir creation using a heated true-triaxial apparatus. In: ISRM international conference for effective and sustainable hydraulic fracturing, International Society for Rock Mechanics
Hampton J, Frash L, Gutierrez M (2013) Investigation of laboratory hydraulic fracture source mechanisms using acoustic emission. In: 47th US rock mechanics/geomechanics symposium, American Rock Mechanics Association
Hampton J, Gutierrez M, Matzar L (2017) Damage characterization due to microcracking near coalesced hydraulic fractures with acoustic emission. In: 51th US rock mechanics/geomechanics symposium, American Rock Mechanics Association
Hou B, Chen M, Tan P, Li D (2015) Monitoring of hydraulic fracture network by acoustic emission method in simulated tri-axial fracturing system of shale gas reservoirs. J China Univ Pet 39(1):66–71
Hu X, Wu K, Song X, Yu W, Tang J, Li G, Shen Z (2018a) A new model for simulating particle transport in a low-viscosity fluid for fluid-driven fracturing. AIChE J. https://doi.org/10.1002/aic.16183
Hu X, Wu K, Li G, Tang J, Shen Z (2018b) Effect of proppant addition schedule on the proppant distribution in a straight fracture for slickwater treatment. J Pet Sci Eng 167:110–119
Ishida T, Chen Q, Mizuta Y (1997) Effect of injected water on hydraulic fracturing deduced from acoustic emission monitoring. Pure Appl Geophys 150(3–4):627–646
Ishida T, Aoyagi K, Niwa T, Chen Y, Murata S, Chen Q, Nakayama Y (2012) Acoustic emission monitoring of hydraulic fracturing laboratory experiment with supercritical and liquid CO2. Geophys Res Lett 39:L16309. https://doi.org/10.1029/2012GL052788
Ishida T, Nagaya Y, Inui S, Aoyagi K, Nara Y, Chen Y, Chen Q, Nakayama Y (2013) AE monitoring of hydraulic fracturing experiments with CO2 and water. In: Proceedings of Eurock2013, Wroclaw, pp 957–962
Ishida T, Labuz JF, Manthei G, Meredith PG, Nasseri MHB, Shin K, Yokoyama T, Zang A (2017) ISRM suggested method for laboratory acoustic emission monitoring. Rock Mech Rock Eng 50:665–674
Ito K, Kuriki H, Kuroda S, Enoki M (2014) Automatic event detection in noisy environment foe material process monitoring by laser AE method. J Phys Conf Ser 520(1):562–565
King GE, Haile L, Jim S, Dobkins TA (2008) Increasing fracture path complexity and controlling downward fracture growth in the Barnett shale. In: SPE gas production conference, Society of Petroleum Engineers
King MS, Pettitt WS, Haycox JR, Young RP (2012) Acoustic emissions associated with the formation of fracture sets in sandstone under polyaxial stress conditions. Geophys Prospect 60:93–102
Lei XL, Nishizawa O, Kusunose K, Satoh T (1992) Fractal structure of the hypocenter distributions and focal mechanism solutions of acoustic emission in two granites of different grain sizes. J Phys Earth 40(6):617–634
Lei XL, Kusunose K, Rao MVMS, Nishizawa O, Satoh T (2001) Quasi-static fault growth and cracking in homogeneous brittle rock under triaxial compression using acoustic emission monitoring. J Geophys Res 105(B3):6127–6139
Li H, Zou YS, Valko PP, Economides C (2016) Hydraulic fracture height predictions in laminated shale formations using finite element discrete element method. In: SPE hydraulic fracturing technology conference, Society of Petroleum Engineers
Li N, Zhang SC, Ma XF, Zou YS, Chen M, Li SH, Zhang YN (2017) Experimental study on the propagation mechanism of hydraulic fracture in glutenite formations. Chin J Rock Mechan Eng 36(10):2383–2392
Li N, Zhang SC, Zou YS, Ma XF, Wu S, Zhang YN (2018) Experimental analysis of hydraulic fracture growth and acoustic emission response in a layered formation. Rock Mech Rock Eng 51(4):1047–1062
Liu YZ, Cui MY, Ding YH, Peng Y, Fu HF, Lu YJ, Liu YZ (2013) Experimental investigation of hydraulic fracture propagation in acoustic monitoring inside a large-scale polyaxial test. In: International petroleum technology conference, Society of Petroleum Engineers
Liu YZ, Fu HF, Ding YH, Lu YJ, Wang X, Liang TC (2014) Large scale experimental simulation and analysis of interlayer stress difference effect on hydraulic fracture extension. Oil Drill Prod Technol 36(4):88–92
Lockner D, Byerlee JD (1977) Hydrofracture in Weber sandstone at high confining pressure and differential stress. J Geophys Res Atmos 82(14):2018–20265
Ma XF, Li N, Yin CB, Li YC, Zou YS, Wu S, He F, Wang XQ, Zhou T (2017) Hydraulic fracture propagation geometry and acoustic emission interpretation: a case study of Silurian Longmaxi Formation shale in Sichuan Basin, China. Pet Explor Dev 44(6):1030–1037
Maxwell SC, Urbancic TI, Steinsberger N, Zinno R (2002) Microseismic imaging of hydraulic fracture complexity in the Barnett shale. In: SPE annual technical conference and exhibition, Society of Petroleum Engineers
Mayerhofer MJ, Lolon E, Warpinski NR, Cipolla CL, Walser DW, Rightmire CM (2010) What is stimulated reservoir volume? SPE Prod Oper 25(1):89–98
Ohtsu M (1991) Simplified moment tensor analysis and unified decomposition of acoustic emission source: application to in situ hydrofracturing test. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 96(B4):6211–6221
Sakaguchi K, Tomono J, Okumura K, Ogawa Y, Matsuki K (2008) Asperity height and aperture of an artificial tensile fracture of metric size. Rock Mech Rock Eng 41(2):325–341
Stanchits S, Fortin J, Gueguen Y, Dresen G (2009) Initiation and propagation of compaction bands in dry and wet Bentheim sandstone. Pure appl Geophys 166(5):843–868
Stanchits S, Mayr S, Shapiro S, Dresen G (2011) Fracturing of porous rock induced by fluid injection. Tectonophysics 503(1–2):129–145
Stanchits S, Surdi A, Edelman E, Suarez-Rivera R (2012) Acoustic emission and ultrasonic transmission monitoring of hydraulic fracture propagation in heterogeneous rock samples. In: 46th US rock mechanics/geomechanics symposium, American Rock Mechanics Association
Stanchits S, Burghardt J, Surdi A (2015) Hydraulic fracturing of heterogeneous rock monitored by acoustic emission. Rock Mech Rock Eng 48(6):2513–2527
Tang J, Wu K (2018) A 3-D model for simulation of weak interface slippage for fracture height containment in shale reservoirs. Int J Solids Struct 144–145:248–264
Tang J, Wu K, Li Y, Hu X, Liu Q, Ehlig-Economides C (2018a) Numerical investigation of the interactions between hydraulic fracture and bedding planes with non-orthogonal approach angle. Eng Fract Mech. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engfracmech.2018.07.010
Tang J, Wu K, Zeng B, Huang H, Hu X, Guo X, Zuo L (2018b) Investigate effects of weak bedding interfaces on fracture geometry in unconventional reservoirs. J Petrol Sci Eng 165:992–1009
Tong SY, Mohanty KK (2016) Proppant transport study in fractures with intersections. Fuel 181:463–477
Warpinski NR, Mayerhofer M, Agarwal K, Du J (2013) Hydraulic-fracture geomechanics and microseismic -source mechanisms. SPE J 18(4):766–780
Wu S, Ge HK, Wang XQ, Meng FB (2017) Shale failure processes and spatial distribution of fractures obtained by AE monitoring. J Nat Gas Sci Eng 41:82–92
Yoon J-S, Zimmermann G, Zang A (2015) Discrete element modeling of cyclic rate fluid injection at multiple locations in naturally fractured reservoirs. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 74:15–23
Zang A, Wagner FC, Stanchits S, Dresen G, Andresen R, Haidekker M (1998) Source analysis of acoustic emissions in Aue granite cores under symmetric and asymmetric compressive loads. Geophys J Int 135:1113–1130
Zang A, Wagner FC, Stanchits S, Janssen C, Dresen G (2000) Fracture process zone in granite. J Geophys Res Solid Earth 105(B10):23651–23661
Zhou T, Zhang SC, Feng Y, Shuai YY, Zou YS, Li N (2016a) Experimental study of permeability characteristics for the cemented natural fractures of the shale gas formation. J Nat Gas Sci Eng 29:345–354
Zhou T, Zhang SC, Zou YS, Ma XF, Li Ning, Hao SY, Zheng YH (2016b) A study of hydraulic fracture geometry concerning complex geologic condition in shales. In: IPTC international petroleum technology conference
Zoback MD, Rummel F, Jung R, Raleigh CB (1977) Laboratory hydraulic fracturing experiments in intact and pre-fractured rock. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 14(2):49–58
Zou YS, Ma XF, Zhang SC, Zhou T, Ehlig-Economides C, Li H (2015) The origins of low-fracture conductivity in soft shale formations: an experimental study. Energy Technol 3(12):1233–1242
Zou YS, Zhang SC, Zhou T, Zhou X, Guo TK (2016a) Experimental investigation into hydraulic fracture network propagation in gas shales using CT scanning technology. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49(1):33–45
Zou YS, Ma XF, Zhang SC, Zhou T, Li H (2016b) Numerical investigation into the Influence of bedding plane on hydraulic fracture network propagation in shale formations. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49(9):3597–3614
Zou YS, Ma XF, Zhou T, Li N, Chen M, Li SH, Zhang YN, Li H (2017) Hydraulic fracture growth in a layered formation based on fracturing experiments and discrete element modeling. Rock Mech Rock Eng 50:2381–2395
Acknowledgements
This paper was supported by the Major National Science and Technology Projects of China (No. 2016ZX05046-004; No. 2017ZX05039002-003), the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2015CB250903) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 51704305).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Publisher’s Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Li, N., Zhang, S., Zou, Y. et al. Acoustic Emission Response of Laboratory Hydraulic Fracturing in Layered Shale. Rock Mech Rock Eng 51, 3395–3406 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-018-1547-5
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-018-1547-5