A hybrid numerical approach for hydraulic fracturing in a naturally fractured formation combining the XFEM and phase-field model. (August 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, JiaNing; Yu, Hao; Xu, WenLong; Lv, ChengSi; Micheal, Marembo; Shi, Fang; Wu, HengAn
• Is Part Of: Engineering fracture mechanics. Volume 271(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-08
• Subjects: Hydraulic fracturing -- Natural fractures -- XFEM -- PFM -- Adaptive refinement; Fracture mechanics -- Periodicals; Rupture, Mécanique de la -- Périodiques; Fracture mechanics; Periodicals; 620.112605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2022.108621
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-7944

Abstract

Abstract: This paper presents a hybrid method for modeling hydraulic fracture propagation in an unconventional shale formation with frictional and cemented natural fractures. The hybrid method combines two promising methods, the extended finite element method (XFEM) and the phase-field method (PFM), to solve the discontinuous and continuous hydraulic fracturing formulations, respectively. The solution strategy is tested through several numerical examples, including classical KGD hydraulic fracturing tests and the interaction between hydraulic fracture and natural fractures. Compared with PFM and XFEM, the hybrid method shows excellent computational efficiency and reliability in modeling complex fracturing behavior in shale formations, verifying the method's robustness. Highlights: A novel hybrid method combining XFEM and PFM for hydraulic fracturing is presented. The interaction with frictional and cemented natural fractures are fully considered. The hybrid method shows a higher computational efficiency compared to the PFM. The complex situation with multiple natural fractures could be accurately captured.