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Propagation of Cryogenic Thermal Fractures from Unconfined PMMA Boreholes

Author

Listed:
  • Minsu Cha

    (Department of Civil Engineering, Jeju National University, Jeju-si 63243, Korea)

  • Naif B. Alqahtani

    (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Research Center, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Riyadh 11442, Saudi Arabia)

  • Xiaolong Yin

    (Department of Petroleum Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1600 Arapahoe St., Golden, CO 80401, USA)

  • Lei Wang

    (School of Mining & Geosciences, Nazarbayev University, Qabanbay Batyr Ave 53, Nur-Sultan City 010000, Kazakhstan)

  • Bowen Yao

    (Department of Petroleum Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1600 Arapahoe St., Golden, CO 80401, USA)

  • Timothy J. Kneafsey

    (Hydrocarbon Resources Program, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA)

  • Jennifer L. Miskimins

    (Department of Petroleum Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1600 Arapahoe St., Golden, CO 80401, USA)

  • Yu-Shu Wu

    (Department of Petroleum Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, 1600 Arapahoe St., Golden, CO 80401, USA)

Abstract

In cryogenic fracturing, a rock surface exposed to cryogenic fluids undergoes a large thermal gradient, and the resultant local tensile stress overcomes rock strength and initiates fractures. This study investigates the development of cracks generated from the cryogenic treatment of a borehole under no external confining stress on specimens. The experiments were performed on transparent PMMA specimens to observe fracture proliferation around boreholes. Liquid nitrogen was flowed through the boreholes to cool the borehole surface. The results show that initial fracture growth is characterized by abrupt starts and stops, and as the fracture propagates outward, the growth appears more continuous. In an early stage, horizontal/radial fractures and vertical fractures are the defining patterns. Horizontal fractures tend to be separated by a specific exclusion distance (i.e., spacing between cracks). While distinct horizontal/vertical fractures and exclusion distance manifest themselves at an early stage, fractures resulting from fracture interactions and curvatures can develop into complex shapes at later stages. Cryogenic thermal loading induces distinctively curved fractures. The tendency of curvature may prevent greater penetration. An increase in the borehole pressure during liquid nitrogen flow, however, can lessen fracture tortuosity and facilitate radial propagation. A high flow pressure and rate are also advantageous in that they accelerate cooling and fracture propagation.

Suggested Citation

  • Minsu Cha & Naif B. Alqahtani & Xiaolong Yin & Lei Wang & Bowen Yao & Timothy J. Kneafsey & Jennifer L. Miskimins & Yu-Shu Wu, 2021. "Propagation of Cryogenic Thermal Fractures from Unconfined PMMA Boreholes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-17, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:17:p:5433-:d:626912
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ruud Weijermars & Jihoon Wang, 2021. "Stress Reversals near Hydraulically Fractured Wells Explained with Linear Superposition Method (LSM)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-22, June.
    2. Khalid Elwegaa & Hossein Emadi, 2018. "The Effect of Thermal Shocking with Nitrogen Gas on the Porosities, Permeabilities, and Rock Mechanical Properties of Unconventional Reservoirs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-16, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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