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The Behaviour of Fracture Growth in Sedimentary Rocks: A Numerical Study Based on Hydraulic Fracturing Processes

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  • Lianchong Li

    (School of Civil Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China)

  • Yingjie Xia

    (State Key Laboratory of Coastal and Offshore Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116024, China)

  • Bo Huang

    (Oil Production Technology Research Institute, Shengli Oilfield Branch Company, Dongying 257000, China)

  • Liaoyuan Zhang

    (Oil Production Technology Research Institute, Shengli Oilfield Branch Company, Dongying 257000, China)

  • Ming Li

    (Oil Production Technology Research Institute, Shengli Oilfield Branch Company, Dongying 257000, China)

  • Aishan Li

    (Oil Production Technology Research Institute, Shengli Oilfield Branch Company, Dongying 257000, China)

Abstract

To capture the hydraulic fractures in heterogeneous and layered rocks, a numerical code that can consider the coupled effects of fluid flow, damage, and stress field in rocks is presented. Based on the characteristics of a typical thin and inter-bedded sedimentary reservoir, China, a series of simulations on the hydraulic fracturing are performed. In the simulations, three points, i.e. , (1) confining stresses, representing the effect of in situ stresses, (2) strength of the interfaces, and (3) material properties of the layers on either side of the interface, are crucial in fracturing across interfaces between two adjacent rock layers. Numerical results show that the hydrofracture propagation within a layered sequence of sedimentary rocks is controlled by changing in situ stresses, interface properties, and lithologies. The path of the hydraulic fracture is characterized by numerous deflections, branchings, and terminations. Four types of potential interaction, i.e. , penetration, arrest, T-shaped branching, and offset, between a hydrofracture and an interface within the layered rocks are formed. Discontinuous composite fracture segments resulting from out-of-plane growth of fractures provide a less permeable path for fluids, gas, and oil than a continuous planar composite fracture, which are one of the sources of the high treating pressures and reduced fracture volume.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:9:y:2016:i:3:p:169-:d:65213
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
    2. 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.
    3. David Healy & Richard R. Jones & Robert E. Holdsworth, 2006. "Three-dimensional brittle shear fracturing by tensile crack interaction," Nature, Nature, vol. 439(7072), pages 64-67, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. José Reinoso & Percy Durand & Pattabhi Ramaiah Budarapu & Marco Paggi, 2019. "Crack Patterns in Heterogenous Rocks Using a Combined Phase Field-Cohesive Interface Modeling Approach: A Numerical Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-28, March.
    2. Lianchong Li & Mingyang Zhai & Liaoyuan Zhang & Zilin Zhang & Bo Huang & Aishan Li & Jiaqiang Zuo & Quansheng Zhang, 2019. "Brittleness Evaluation of Glutenite Based On Energy Balance and Damage Evolution," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-28, September.
    3. Yue Li & Jianye Mou & Shicheng Zhang & Xinfang Ma & Cong Xiao & Haoqing Fang, 2022. "Numerical Investigation of Interaction Mechanism between Hydraulic Fracture and Natural Karst Cave Based on Seepage-Stress-Damage Coupled Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-17, July.
    4. Yingjie Xia & Chuanqing Zhang & Hui Zhou & Chunsheng Zhang & Wangbing Hong, 2019. "Mechanical Anisotropy and Failure Characteristics of Columnar Jointed Rock Masses (CJRM) in Baihetan Hydropower Station: Structural Considerations Based on Digital Image Processing Technology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(19), pages 1-24, September.
    5. Xin Chang & Yintong Guo & Jun Zhou & Xuehang Song & Chunhe Yang, 2018. "Numerical and Experimental Investigations of the Interactions between Hydraulic and Natural Fractures in Shale Formations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-27, September.
    6. Kun Ai & Longchen Duan & Hui Gao & Guangliang Jia, 2018. "Hydraulic Fracturing Treatment Optimization for Low Permeability Reservoirs Based on Unified Fracture Design," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-23, July.
    7. Tianjiao Li & Chun’an Tang & Jonny Rutqvist & Mengsu Hu & Lianchong Li & Liaoyuan Zhang & Bo Huang, 2020. "The Influence of an Interlayer on Dual Hydraulic Fractures Propagation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-29, January.
    8. Yiyu Lu & Yugang Cheng & Zhaolong Ge & Liang Cheng & Shaojie Zuo & Jianyu Zhong, 2016. "Determination of Fracture Initiation Locations during Cross-Measure Drilling for Hydraulic Fracturing of Coal Seams," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-13, May.

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