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Application of particle and lattice codes to simulation of hydraulic fracturing

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Abstract

With the development of unconventional oil and gas reservoirs over the last 15 years, the understanding and capability to model the propagation of hydraulic fractures in inhomogeneous and naturally fractured reservoirs has become very important for the petroleum industry (but also for some other industries like mining and geothermal). Particle-based models provide advantages over other models and solutions for the simulation of fracturing of rock masses that cannot be assumed to be continuous and homogeneous. It has been demonstrated (Potyondy and Cundall Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr 41:1329–1364, 2004) that particle models based on a simple force criterion for fracture propagation match theoretical solutions and scale effects derived using the principles of linear elastic fracture mechanics (LEFM). The challenge is how to apply these models effectively (i.e., with acceptable models sizes and computer run times) to the coupled hydro-mechanical problems of relevant time and length scales for practical field applications (i.e., reservoir scale and hours of injection time). A formulation of a fully coupled hydro-mechanical particle-based model and its application to the simulation of hydraulic treatment of unconventional reservoirs are presented. Model validation by comparing with available analytical asymptotic solutions (penny-shape crack) and some examples of field application (e.g., interaction with DFN) are also included.

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Acknowledgments

The development of the numerical code, HF Simulator, described in this paper was funded by BP America. The authors would like to thank BP America for their support, particularly Ivan Gil. Jim Hazzard, Matt Purvance, Maurilio Torres, and Varun of Itasca Consulting Group, Inc. are thanked for their valuable work on HF Simulator.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Itasca Consulting Group, Inc., 111 Third Avenue South, Suite 450, Minneapolis, MN, 55401, USA

    Branko Damjanac, Christine Detournay & Peter A. Cundall

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  1. Branko Damjanac
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  2. Christine Detournay
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  3. Peter A. Cundall
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Correspondence to Branko Damjanac.

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Damjanac, B., Detournay, C. & Cundall, P.A. Application of particle and lattice codes to simulation of hydraulic fracturing. Comp. Part. Mech. 3, 249–261 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40571-015-0085-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40571-015-0085-0

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