On the initiation, propagation and reorientation of simultaneously-induced multiple hydraulic fractures

Duan, K., Kwok, C. Y., Zhang, Q. and Shang, J. (2020) On the initiation, propagation and reorientation of simultaneously-induced multiple hydraulic fractures. Computers and Geotechnics, 117, 103226. (doi: 10.1016/j.compgeo.2019.103226)

Abstract

This study aims to uncover the growth characteristics of simultaneously-induced multiple hydraulic fractures using the discrete element method. We evaluate the influences of in-situ states and operational parameters on the fracture trajectories. Results reveal that reservoir heterogeneity magnifies the stress-shadowing effect and causes severe interactions among fractures. Higher effective stress anisotropy offsets the stress-shadowing effect and force the fractures to propagate in the direction of maximum stress and results in relative long parallel fractures. Increasing the spacing can mitigate the stress-shadowing effect to some degree. Injection rate and fluid viscosity have a less significant influence on the interactions among fractures.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: Financial supports from the National Key Research Development Project of China (No. 2016YFC0401804), the Taishan Scholars Project Foundation of Shandong Province, and the Natural Science Foundation Project of China (NO: 41772282; 51909138) are appreciated.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Shang, Dr Junlong
• Authors: Duan, K., Kwok, C. Y., Zhang, Q., and Shang, J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Infrastructure and Environment
• Journal Name: Computers and Geotechnics
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0266-352X
• ISSN (Online): 1873-7633
• Published Online: 31 August 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd
• First Published: First published in Computers and Geotechnics 117:103226
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher