Development of a Three-dimensional, Semi-analytical Propagation Model for Non-symmetric Hydraulic Fractures

Development of a Three-dimensional, Semi-analytical Propagation Model for Non-symmetric Hydraulic Fractures PDF Author: Jose Ignacio Rueda
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 278

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Development of a Three-dimensional, Semi-analytical Propagation Model for Non-symmetric Hydraulic Fractures

Development of a Three-dimensional, Semi-analytical Propagation Model for Non-symmetric Hydraulic Fractures PDF Author: Jose Ignacio Rueda
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 278

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Proceedings

Proceedings PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Gas wells
Languages : en
Pages : 960

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Solving Three-dimensional Problems in Natural and Hydraulic Fracture Development

Solving Three-dimensional Problems in Natural and Hydraulic Fracture Development PDF Author: Farrokh Sheibani
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 312

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Although many fracture models are based on two-dimensional plane strain approximations, accurately predicting fracture propagation geometry requires accounting for the three-dimensional aspects of fractures. In this study, we implemented 3-D displacement discontinuity (DD) boundary element modeling to investigate the following intrinsically 3-D natural or hydraulic fracture propagation problems: the effect of fracture height on lateral propagation of vertical natural fractures, joint development in the vicinity of normal faults, and hydraulic fracture height growth and non-planar propagation paths. Fracture propagation is controlled by stress intensity factor (SIF) and its determination plays a central role in LEFM. The DD modeling is used to evaluate SIF in Mode I, II and III at the tip of an arbitrarily-shaped embedded crack by using crack-tip element displacement discontinuity. We examine the accuracy of SIF calculation is for rectangular, penny-shaped, and elliptical planar cracks. Using the aforementioned model for lateral propagation of overlapping fractures shows that the curving path of overlapping fractures is strongly influenced by the spacing-to-height ratio of fractures, as well as the differential stress magnitude. We show that the angle of intersection between two non-coincident but parallel en-echelon fractures depends strongly on the fracture height-to-spacing ratio, with intersection angles being asymptotic for "tall" fractures (large height-to-spacing ratios) and nearly orthogonal for "short" fractures. Stress perturbation around normal faults is three-dimensionally heterogeneous. That perturbation can result in joint development at the vicinity of normal faults. We examine the geometrical relationship between genetically related normal faults and joints in various geologic environments by considering a published case study of fault-related joints in the Arches National Park region, Utah. The results show that joint orientation is dependent on vertical position with respect to the normal fault, the spacing-to-height ratio of sub-parallel normal faults, and Poisson's ratio of the media. Our calculations represent a more physically reasonable match to measured field data than previously published, and we also identify a new mechanism to explain the driving stress for opening mode fracture propagation upon burial of quasi-elastic rocks. Hydraulic fractures may not necessarily start perpendicular to the minimum horizontal remote stress. We use the developed fracture propagation model to explain abnormality in the geometry of fracturing from misaligned horizontal wellbores. Results show that the misalignment causes non-planar lateral propagation and restriction in fracture height and fracture width in wellbore part.

Dissertation Abstracts International

Dissertation Abstracts International PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Dissertations, Academic
Languages : en
Pages : 790

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Numerical Modeling of Complex Hydraulic Fracture Propagation in Layered Reservoirs with Auto-optimization

Numerical Modeling of Complex Hydraulic Fracture Propagation in Layered Reservoirs with Auto-optimization PDF Author: Jiacheng Wang (Ph. D.)
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Hydraulic fracturing brings economic unconventional reservoir developments, and multi-cluster completion designs result in complex hydraulic fracture geometries. Therefore, accurate yet efficient modeling of the propagation of multiple non-planar hydraulic fractures is desired to study the mechanisms of hydraulic fracture propagation and optimize field completion designs. In this research, a novel hydraulic fracture model is developed to simulate the propagation of multiple hydraulic fractures with proppant transport in layered and naturally fractured reservoirs. The simplified three-dimensional displacement discontinuity method (S3D DDM) is enhanced to compute the hydraulic fracture deformation and propagation with analytical fracture height growth and vertical width variation. Using a single row of DDM elements, the enhanced S3D DDM hydraulic fracture model computes the fully 3D geometries with a similar computational intensity to a 2D model. Then an Eulerian-Lagrangian proppant transport model is developed, where the slurry flow rate and pressure are solved within the Eulerian regime, and the movement of solid proppant particles is solved within the Lagrangian regime. The adaptive proppant gridding scheme in the model allows a smaller grid size at the earlier fracturing stage for higher resolution and a larger grid size at the later fracturing stage for higher efficiency. Besides the physical model, an optimization module that utilizes advanced optimization algorithms such as genetic algorithm (GA) and pattern search algorithm (PSA) is proposed to automatically optimize the completion designs according to the preset targets. Numerical results show that hydraulic fracture propagation is under the combined influence of the in-situ stress, pumping schedule, natural fractures, and cluster placement. Hence, numerical simulation is needed to predict complex hydraulic fracture geometries under various geologic and completion settings. The complex hydraulic fracture geometries, together with fracturing fluid and proppant properties, also affect proppant placement. Moreover, the stress contrast at layer interfaces can cause proppant bridging and form barriers on the proppant transport path. The optimized completion designs increase effective hydraulic and propped areas, but they vary depending on the optimization targets. The developed hydraulic fracture model provides insights into the hydraulic fracturing process and benefits unconventional reservoir development

Petroleum Abstracts

Petroleum Abstracts PDF Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Petroleum
Languages : en
Pages : 472

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Applied Petroleum Geomechanics

Applied Petroleum Geomechanics PDF Author: Jon Jincai Zhang
Publisher: Gulf Professional Publishing
ISBN: 0128148152
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 534

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Book Description
Applied Petroleum Geomechanics provides a bridge between theory and practice as a daily use reference that contains direct industry applications. Going beyond the basic fundamentals of rock properties, this guide covers critical field and lab tests, along with interpretations from actual drilling operations and worldwide case studies, including abnormal formation pressures from many major petroleum basins. Rounding out with borehole stability solutions and the geomechanics surrounding hydraulic fracturing and unconventional reservoirs, this comprehensive resource gives petroleum engineers a much-needed guide on how to tackle today’s advanced oil and gas operations. Presents methods in formation evaluation and the most recent advancements in the area, including tools, techniques and success stories Bridges the gap between theory of rock mechanics and practical oil and gas applications Helps readers understand pore pressure calculations and predictions that are critical to shale and hydraulic activity

Modeling of Hydraulic Fracture Propagation and Height Growth in Layered Formations

Modeling of Hydraulic Fracture Propagation and Height Growth in Layered Formations PDF Author: Tianyu Li
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Microseismic observations and other field data suggest that hydraulic fractures are often not contained within a single layer. Acoustic log data show rock mechanical properties typically vary significantly between layers, leading to confining stress contrasts across bedding planes. Simulating the propagation of multiple hydraulic fractures in such a multi-layer environment represents a unique challenge when trying to achieve both numerical efficiency and accuracy. Among the concerning factors, fracture height growth and containment is increasingly drawing researchers' attention. In this master's thesis, an improved simplified 3D (S3D) hydraulic fracture propagation model is developed. The improved model is capable of simulating single and multiple non-planar fracture propagation and height growth in layered reservoir formations with different in-situ stresses, by employing a series of novel methods developed in this study. The S3D displacement discontinuity method (DDM) is extended to model fractures of non-uniform height by applying a new 3D correction factor. A stress correction factor is proposed to calculate the influence of stress contrast between layers on fracture opening. In the fracture propagation model, fracture width profile along vertical direction in a layered reservoir is calculated by a semi-analytical method introduced in this study. A novel fracture height growth methodology is then developed to predict fracture height in layered formations. The geometric transformation from tip propagation velocity to fracture height growth rate enables the model to avoid common pitfalls of over-predicting the fracture height. Test cases demonstrate that the improved S3D method can accurately model multiple static fractures with non-uniform fracture height, vertical offset and in-situ stress variation, while maintaining the considerably lower computation time. The proposed improved fracture propagation model is used to simulate the fracture propagation footprint recorded by a fracture experiment. Simulation results from the new fracture propagation model compare favorably with both the experimental data and simulation results from other researchers

Development of a Numerical Simulator for Three-dimensional Hydraulic Fracture Propagation in Heterogeneous Media

Development of a Numerical Simulator for Three-dimensional Hydraulic Fracture Propagation in Heterogeneous Media PDF Author: R. D. Barree
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Oil wells
Languages : en
Pages : 252

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Numerical Simulation in Hydraulic Fracturing: Multiphysics Theory and Applications

Numerical Simulation in Hydraulic Fracturing: Multiphysics Theory and Applications PDF Author: Xinpu Shen
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 1351796291
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 192

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Book Description
The expansion of unconventional petroleum resources in the recent decade and the rapid development of computational technology have provided the opportunity to develop and apply 3D numerical modeling technology to simulate the hydraulic fracturing of shale and tight sand formations. This book presents 3D numerical modeling technologies for hydraulic fracturing developed in recent years, and introduces solutions to various 3D geomechanical problems related to hydraulic fracturing. In the solution processes of the case studies included in the book, fully coupled multi-physics modeling has been adopted, along with innovative computational techniques, such as submodeling. In practice, hydraulic fracturing is an essential project component in shale gas/oil development and tight sand oil, and provides an essential measure in the process of drilling cuttings reinjection (CRI). It is also an essential measure for widened mud weight window (MWW) when drilling through naturally fractured formations; the process of hydraulic plugging is a typical application of hydraulic fracturing. 3D modeling and numerical analysis of hydraulic fracturing is essential for the successful development of tight oil/gas formations: it provides accurate solutions for optimized stage intervals in a multistage fracking job. It also provides optimized well-spacing for the design of zipper-frac wells. Numerical estimation of casing integrity under stimulation injection in the hydraulic fracturing process is one of major concerns in the successful development of unconventional resources. This topic is also investigated numerically in this book. Numerical solutions to several other typical geomechanics problems related to hydraulic fracturing, such as fluid migration caused by fault reactivation and seismic activities, are also presented. This book can be used as a reference textbook to petroleum, geotechnical and geothermal engineers, to senior undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students, and to geologists, hydrogeologists, geophysicists and applied mathematicians working in this field. This book is also a synthetic compendium of both the fundamentals and some of the most advanced aspects of hydraulic fracturing technology.