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Numerical Investigation into the Influence of Bedding Plane on Hydraulic Fracture Network Propagation in Shale Formations

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Abstract

Shale formations are often characterized by low matrix permeability and contain numerous bedding planes (BPs) and natural fractures (NFs). Massive hydraulic fracturing is an important technology for the economic development of shale formations in which a large-scale hydraulic fracture network (HFN) is generated for hydrocarbon flow. In this study, HFN propagation is numerically investigated in a horizontally layered and naturally fractured shale formation by using a newly developed complex fracturing model based on the 3D discrete element method. In this model, a succession of continuous horizontal BP interfaces and vertical NFs is explicitly represented and a shale matrix block is considered impermeable, transversely isotropic, and linearly elastic. A series of simulations is performed to illustrate the influence of anisotropy, associated with the presence of BPs, on the HFN propagation geometry in shale formations. Modeling results reveal that the presence of BP interfaces increases the injection pressure during fracturing. HF deflection into a BP interface tends to occur under high strength and elastic anisotropy as well as in low vertical stress anisotropy conditions, which generate a T-shaped or horizontal fracture. Opened BP interfaces may limit the growth of the fracture upward and downward, resulting in a very low stimulated thickness. However, the opened BP interfaces favor fracture complexity because of the improved connection between HFs and NFs horizontally under moderate vertical stress anisotropy. This study may help predict the HF growth geometry and optimize the fracturing treatment designs in shale formations with complex depositional heterogeneity.

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Abbreviations

p :

Fluid pressure within the fracture

p int :

Initial fluid pressure within the fracture

μ :

Fluid dynamic viscosity

Q t :

Total injection rate

q :

Local flow rate within the fracture

\(F_{\text{n}} ,\;F_{\text{s}}\) :

Normal and shear forces on a contact

\(k_{\text{n}} ,\;k_{\text{s}}\) :

Normal and shear contact stiffness

\(F_{\text{n}}^{\hbox{max} } ,\;F_{\text{s}}^{\hbox{max} }\) :

Tensile and shear bond strengths of a contact

\(F_{\text{fric}}^{\text{s}}\) :

Friction force of a contact

\(u_{\text{n}} ,\;u_{\text{s}}\) :

Normal and shear displacements

\(\Delta u_{\text{n}} ,\;\Delta u_{\text{s}}\) :

Normal and shear displacement increments

w :

Fracture aperture

w res :

Fracture residual aperture

\(\sigma_{ij}\) :

Cauchy stress tensor

\(b_{i}\) :

Body force per unit volume

\(u_{i,t} ,\;u_{i,tt}\) :

Velocity and acceleration

\(\rho\) :

Rock density

\(\alpha\) :

Damping coefficient

D :

Elasticity tensor

\(\varepsilon\) :

Strain tensor

A :

Contact area

\(G_{\text{v}}\) :

Shear modulus parallel to bedding plane

\(E_{\text{h}} ,\;E_{\text{v}}\) :

Young’s moduli parallel and perpendicular to bedding plane

\(\nu_{\text{h}} ,\;\nu_{\text{v}}\) :

Poisson’s ratios parallel and perpendicular to bedding plane

\(T_{{0{\text{h}}}} ,\;T_{{0{\text{v}}}}\) :

Tensile strengths parallel and perpendicular to bedding plane

\(S_{{0{\text{h}}}} ,\;S_{{0{\text{v}}}}\) :

Cohesions parallel and perpendicular to bedding plane

\(\varphi_{{0{\text{h}}}} ,\;\varphi_{{0{\text{v}}}}\) :

Frictional angles parallel and perpendicular to bedding plane

\(k_{\text{h}} ,\;k_{\text{v}}\) :

Permeability parallel and perpendicular to bedding plane

\(k_{\text{nf}}\) :

Permeability of natural fracture

\(T_{\text{nf}}\) :

Tensile strength of natural fracture

\(S_{\text{nf}}\) :

Cohesion of natural fracture

\(\varphi_{\text{nf}}\) :

Frictional angle of natural fracture

\(\sigma_{{{\text{h}}\hbox{max} }} ,\;\sigma_{{{\text{h}}\hbox{min} }} \;{\text{and}}\;\sigma_{\text{v}}\) :

Maximum, minimum horizontal and vertical in situ stresses

\(\Delta \sigma_{\text{h}} ,\;\Delta \sigma_{\text{v}}\) :

Horizontal and vertical stress anisotropies

\(\theta\) :

Intersection angle between hydraulic fracture and natural fracture

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Acknowledgments

This paper was supported by the Major National Science and Technology Projects of China (No. 2015CB250903) and the National Basic Research Program of China (No. 2013CB228004).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. China University of Petroleum, Beijing, China

    Zou Yushi, Ma Xinfang, Zhang Shicheng & Zhou Tong

  2. Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA

    Li Han

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  1. Zou Yushi
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  2. Ma Xinfang
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Correspondence to Zou Yushi.

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Yushi, Z., Xinfang, M., Shicheng, Z. et al. Numerical Investigation into the Influence of Bedding Plane on Hydraulic Fracture Network Propagation in Shale Formations. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49, 3597–3614 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-016-1001-5

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