Geometric nature of hydraulic fracture propagation in naturally-fractured reservoirs. (March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wasantha, P.L.P.; Konietzky, H.; Weber, F.
• Is Part Of: Computers and geotechnics. Volume 83(2017)
• Page Start: 209
• Page End: 220
• Publication Date: 2017-03
• Subjects: Hydraulic fracturing -- Fracture propagation -- Numerical modelling; Engineering geology -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Soil mechanics -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Rock mechanics -- Data processing -- Periodicals; 624.1510285
• DOI: 10.1016/j.compgeo.2016.11.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-352X

Abstract

Abstract: The geometry of hydraulic fracture propagation in the absence and presence of natural fractures in reservoirs was studied. The results revealed a marked influence of natural fractures on the symmetry of fracture propagation observed for rock free of natural fractures. Natural fracture properties such as stiffness and approaching angle, and the distance from wellbore to the natural fracture were found to influence the hydraulic fracture geometry. Furthermore, the location of the wellbore with respect to the natural fractures in a reservoir having a system of natural fractures displayed a significant influence on the resulting geometry of hydraulic fracture propagation.