LAPSE:2023.36574
Published Article

LAPSE:2023.36574
Numerical Simulation of Multi-Fracture Propagation Based on the Extended Finite Element Method
August 3, 2023
Multi-stage, multi-cluster fracturing in horizontal wells is widely used as one of the most effective methods for unconventional reservoir transformation. This study is based on the extended finite element method and establishes a multi-hydraulic fracturing propagation model that couples rock damage, stress, and fluid flow, and the influence of horizontal stress difference and cluster spacing on fracture propagation is quantitatively analyzed. The simulation results show that changes in horizontal stress differences and inter-cluster spacing have a significant impact on the final propagation morphology of hydraulic fractures, and the change of the fracture initiation sequence forms different stress shadow areas, which in turn affects the propagation morphology of the fractures. When two fractures simultaneously propagate, they will eventually form a “repulsive” deviation, and a smaller stress difference and a decrease in inter-cluster spacing will lead to a more significant deviation of the fracture. Specifically, when the horizontal stress difference is 4 MPa and the cluster spacing is 6 m, the offset of the fracture tip along the direction of minimum horizontal principal stress is about 1.6 m, compared to the initial perforation position. When two fractures propagate sequentially, the fractures do not significantly deviate and propagate along the direction of maximum horizontal principal stress. When fractures propagate sequentially, the stress difference has little effect on the morphology of the fracture, but changes in inter-cluster spacing will significantly affect the length of the fracture. This study quantifies the effect of inter-fracture interference on fracture propagation morphology, providing guidance for optimizing the construction parameters of multi-stage hydraulic fracturing.
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Keywords
fracture interference, hydraulic fracturing, stress shadow, XFEM
Subject
Suggested Citation
Ran Q, Zhou X, Dong J, Xu M, Ren D, Li R. Numerical Simulation of Multi-Fracture Propagation Based on the Extended Finite Element Method. (2023). LAPSE:2023.36574
Author Affiliations
Ran Q: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, No. 20 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Zhou X: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, No. 20 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Dong J: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, No. 20 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Xu M: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, No. 20 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Ren D: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, No. 20 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Li R: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, No. 20 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Zhou X: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, No. 20 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Dong J: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, No. 20 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Xu M: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, No. 20 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Ren D: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, No. 20 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Li R: Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, No. 20 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100083, China
Journal Name
Processes
Volume
11
Issue
7
First Page
2032
Year
2023
Publication Date
2023-07-07
ISSN
2227-9717
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Original Submission
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PII: pr11072032, Publication Type: Journal Article
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Published Article

LAPSE:2023.36574
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https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11072032
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[v1] (Original Submission)
Aug 3, 2023
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Aug 3, 2023
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Record Owner
Calvin Tsay
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