LAPSE:2020.0333
Published Article
LAPSE:2020.0333
Simulation of Hydraulic Fracturing Using Different Mesh Types Based on Zero Thickness Cohesive Element
Minwei Chen, Min Li, Yanzeng Wu, Boqi Kang
April 1, 2020
Hydraulic fracturing is a significant technique in petroleum engineering to enhance the production of shale gas or shale oil reservoir. The process of hydraulic fracturing is extremely complicated, referring to the deformation of solid formation, fluid flowing in the crack channel, and coupling the solid with fluid. Simulation of hydraulic fracturing and understanding the course of the mechanism is still a challenging task. In this study, two hydraulic fracturing models, including the Khristianovic−Geertsma−de Klerk (KGD) problem and the hydraulic fracture (HF) intersection with the natural fracture (NF), based on the zero thickness pore pressure cohesive zone (PPCZ) element with contact friction is established. The element can be embedded into the edges of other elements to simulate the fracture initiation and propagation. However, the mesh type of the elements near the PPCZ element has influences on the accuracy and propagation profile. Three common types of mesh, triangle mesh, quadrangle mesh, and deformed quadrangle mesh, are all investigated in this paper. In addition, the infinite boundary condition (IBC) is also discussed in these models. Simulation indicates that the results of pore pressure for zero toughness regime simulated by the triangle mesh are much lower than any others at the early injection time. Secondly, the problem of hydraulic fracturing should be better used with the infinite boundary element (IBE). Moreover, suggestions for crack intersection on the proper mesh type are also given. The conclusions included in this article can be beneficial to research further naturally fractured reservoirs.
Keywords
finite element method, fracture intersection, hydraulic fractures, PPCZ element
Suggested Citation
Chen M, Li M, Wu Y, Kang B. Simulation of Hydraulic Fracturing Using Different Mesh Types Based on Zero Thickness Cohesive Element. (2020). LAPSE:2020.0333
Author Affiliations
Chen M: Institute of Solid Mechanics, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
Li M: Institute of Solid Mechanics, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
Wu Y: Beijing Institute of Structure and Environment Engineering, Beijing 100076, China
Kang B: Key Laboratory of Space Utilization, Technology and Engineering Center for Space Utilization, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100094, China
Journal Name
Processes
Volume
8
Issue
2
Article Number
E189
Year
2020
Publication Date
2020-02-05
Published Version
ISSN
2227-9717
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PII: pr8020189, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2020.0333
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doi:10.3390/pr8020189
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Calvin Tsay
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