Hydraulic Fracturing Growth in Fracture Reservoirs Using Analytical and Numerical Simulation: T-Type Intersections

Taheri Shakib, Jaber; Jalalifar, Hossein

doi:10.22059/jchpe.2013.69430

Hydraulic Fracturing Growth in Fracture Reservoirs Using Analytical and Numerical Simulation: T-Type Intersections

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Department of Petroleum Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran

² Department of Petroleum Engineering, environmental and energy research center, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Iran

10.22059/jchpe.2013.69430

Abstract

Hydraulic fracture diagnostics have highlighted the potentially complex natural of hydraulic fracture geometry and propagation. This has been particularly true in the cases of hydraulic fracture growth in naturally fractured reservoirs, where the induced fractures interact with pre-existing natural fractures. A simplified analytical and numerical model has been developed to account for mechanical interaction between induced and natural fractures. Analysis of the distance between natural fractures indicates that induced shear and tensile may be high enough to debond sealed natural fractures ahead of the arrival of the hydraulic fracture tip. We present a complex hydraulic fracture pattern propagation model based on the Extended Finite Element Method (XFEM) as a design tool that can be used to optimize treatment parameters under complex propagation conditions. Results demonstrate that fracture pattern complexity is strongly controlled by the magnitude of anisotropy of in situ stresses, and natural fracture cement strength as well as the orientation of the natural fractures relative to the hydraulic fracture.

Keywords

References

[1] Fisher, M.K., C.A. Wright, B.M. Davidson, A.K. GOODWIN, E.O. Fielder, W.S. Buckler and N.P. Steinsberger. (2005). “Interaction Fracture-mapping Technologies ToImprove stimulations in the Barnett Shale”. SPE Prod and Fac. pp. 85-93.

[2] Warpinski, N.R., J.C. Lorenz, P.T. Branagan, F.R. Myal, and B.L. Gall. (1993). “Examination of a cored hydraulic fracture in a deep gas well”. SPE Prod and Fac. pp.150-158.

[3] Taheri Shakib, J. Ghaderi, A. Abbaszadeh shahri, A. (2012). “Analysis of hydraulic fracturing in fractured reservoir: interaction between hydraulic fracture and natural fractures”. Life Science Journal, vol. 9(4). pp. 1854-1862.

[4] Gale, J.F.W., R.M. Reed, and J. Holder. (2007). “Natural fractures in the Barnett Shale and their Importance for Hydraulic Fracture Treatments”. AAPG Bulletin. vol. 91. pp. 603-622.

[5] Jon E. Olson and Dahi-Taleghani, Arash. (2009). “Modeling Simultaneous Growth of Multiple Hydraulic Fractures and Their Interaction with Natural Fractures”. SPE 119739.This paper presented at the SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference held in The Woodlands, Texas, USA, 19–21 January.

[6] Pollard, D.D., Segall, P. and P.T. Delaney, (1982). “Formation and interpretation of dilatant echelon cracks.” Geological Society of America Bulletin, Des 1982; vol. 93. pp. 1291-1303.

[7] Lawn, B. (2004). “Fracture of Brittle Solids.” Cambridge University Press.

[8] Atkinson, B. K. (1989). “Fracture Mechanics of Rock.” 1st edition, Academic Press.

[9] Freuvd, L.B. and S. Suresh. (2003). “Thin Film Material: Stress, Defect Formation, and Surface Evolution.” Cambridge University Press.

[10] Arash Dahi-Taleghani and Jon E. Olson., (2009). “Numerical Modeling of Multi-Stranded Hydraulic Fracture Propagation: Accounting for the Interaction Between Induced and Natural Fractures.” SPE 124884. This paper presented at the SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition held in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, 4–7 October.

[11] He, M.Y. and J.W. Hutchinson. (1989). “Crack Deflection at an Interface Between Dissimilar Elastic Materials.” International journal of solids and structures, Vo. 25. No. 9. pp.1053-1067.

[12] Talaghani, A.D. (2009). “Analysis of hydraulic fracturing propagation of fractured reservoirs: an improved model for the interaction between induced and natural fracture.” Ph.D. Thesis, University of Texas at Austin.