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Numerical Analysis on the Stability of Hydraulic Fracture Propagation

Author

Listed:
  • Zhaobin Zhang

    (Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China)

  • Xiao Li

    (Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China)

  • Jianming He

    (Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China)

  • Yanfang Wu

    (Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China)

  • Bo Zhang

    (Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100029, China)

Abstract

The formation of dense spacing fracture network is crucial to the hydraulic fracturing treatment of unconventional reservoir. However, one difficulty for fracturing treatment is the lack of clear understanding on the nature of fracture complexity created during the treatment. In this paper, fracture propagation is numerically investigated to find the conditions needed for the stable propagation of complex fracture network. Firstly, starting from a parallel fracture system, the stability of fracture propagation is analyzed and a dimensionless number M is obtained. Then, by developing a hydraulic fracturing simulation model based on displacement discontinuity method, the propagation of parallel fractures is simulated and a clear relation between M and the stability of parallel fractures is obtained. Finally, the investigation on parallel fractures is extended to complex fracture networks. The propagation of complex fracture networks is simulated and the results show that the effects of M on complex fracture networks is the same to that of parallel fractures. The clear relation between M and fracture propagation stability is important for the optimization of hydraulic fracturing operation.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhaobin Zhang & Xiao Li & Jianming He & Yanfang Wu & Bo Zhang, 2015. "Numerical Analysis on the Stability of Hydraulic Fracture Propagation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(9), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:8:y:2015:i:9:p:9860-9877:d:55619
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Lianchong Li & Yingjie Xia & Bo Huang & Liaoyuan Zhang & Ming Li & Aishan Li, 2016. "The Behaviour of Fracture Growth in Sedimentary Rocks: A Numerical Study Based on Hydraulic Fracturing Processes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(3), pages 1-28, March.
    2. Yanfang Wu & Xiao Li, 2016. "Numerical Simulation of the Propagation of Hydraulic and Natural Fracture Using Dijkstra’s Algorithm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-15, July.
    3. Zhaobin Zhang & Xiao Li, 2016. "Numerical Study on the Formation of Shear Fracture Network," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-16, April.
    4. Zhaobin Zhang & Xiao Li & Weina Yuan & Jianming He & Guanfang Li & Yusong Wu, 2015. "Numerical Analysis on the Optimization of Hydraulic Fracture Networks," Energies, MDPI, vol. 8(10), pages 1-19, October.
    5. Jianming He & Zhaobin Zhang & Xiao Li, 2017. "Numerical Analysis on the Formation of Fracture Network during the Hydraulic Fracturing of Shale with Pre-Existing Fractures," Energies, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-10, May.

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