Effects of In Situ Stress and Multiborehole Cluster on Hydraulic Fracturing of Shale Gas Reservoir from Multiscale Perspective
Publication: Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 2
Abstract
Hydraulic fracturing through a multiborehole cluster is a crucial technology for the enhancement of shale gas reservoir production. However, the impact of borehole interference and in situ stress on hydraulic fracturing is still unclear. This study developed a multiscale hydraulic coupling model by improving the algorithm of the traditional pipe domain model within discrete element method and the initiation and propagation of hydraulic fractures under in situ stress and three multi-borehole clusters were numerically studied. Numerical results indicate that fracture development is initially governed by bedding planes, followed by the maximum principal stress. Tensile fractures account for over 80% of the observed fractures. As the lateral pressure coefficient decreases from 1, the proportion of tensile fractures decreases, while shear fractures become more prominent. The circumferential stress primarily influences fracture propagation, while radial stress plays a key role in governing fracture connectivity. During hydraulic fracturing of multiborehole clusters, the vicinity of the boreholes is prone to stability loss, and the stress shadow significantly affects the generation of fracture network. These results can deepen our understanding on the fracture network development and provide a guidance for the application of hydraulic fracturing technology.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
The authors are grateful for the financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51674246 and 42030810).
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Published In
Journal of Energy Engineering
Volume 150 • Issue 2 • April 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 2, 2023
Accepted: Nov 16, 2023
Published online: Jan 5, 2024
Published in print: Apr 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Jun 5, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Boring
- Construction engineering
- Construction methods
- Continuum mechanics
- Cracking
- Drilling
- Energy engineering
- Energy sources (by type)
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering mechanics
- Field tests
- Fracture mechanics
- Fuels
- Geology
- Geotechnical engineering
- Hydraulic engineering
- Hydraulic fracturing
- Hydraulic models
- Hydraulic structures
- Models (by type)
- Natural gas
- Non-renewable energy
- Petroleum
- Reservoirs
- Rocks
- Shale
- Solid mechanics
- Tests (by type)
- Water and water resources
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