Comparative study on hydraulic fracturing using different discrete fracture network modeling: Insight from homogeneous to heterogeneity reservoirs. (19th May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wu, Mingyang; Jiang, Changbao; Song, Rui; Liu, Jianjun; Li, Minghui; Liu, Bo; Shi, Di; Zhu, Zhengwen; Deng, Bozhi
• Is Part Of: Engineering fracture mechanics. Volume 284(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-05-19
• Subjects: Hydraulic fracturing -- Conventional discrete fracture network -- Rough discrete fracture network -- Combined finite-discrete element method -- Fracture propagation; Fracture mechanics -- Periodicals; Rupture, Mécanique de la -- Périodiques; Fracture mechanics; Periodicals; 620.112605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engfracmech.2023.109274
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-7944

Abstract

Highlights: Hydraulic fracture propagation is affected by different DFNs and their grids. Initial in-situ stress field is affected by rock elastic modulus distribution. Rough fractures need to be considered in fracturing simulation. Abstract: Conventional discrete fracture network (DFN) modeling is used to simulate hydraulic fracture propagation in fractured low permeability reservoirs. However, natural fractures have a certain degree of roughness, and reservoir rocks have significant heterogeneity characteristics. Therefore, it is necessary to compare the differences in hydraulic fracturing simulation of homogeneous and heterogeneous reservoirs caused by conventional and rough DFN modeling methods. Herein, new-generation algorithms for different DFNs are proposed. Combined the combined finite-discrete element method and different DFNs, four different simulation models are established, covering hydraulic fracturing models from relatively homogeneous to heterogeneous reservoirs. Then, the differences from different DFN modeling methods are compared and discussed. The results show that the relatively homogeneous and heterogeneous models established by conventional DFN may underestimate the bending propagation characteristics and fracturing time and overestimate the proportion of tensile failure. Meanwhile, when the nonuniform distribution of the mechanical parameters of rock blocks is considered, the bending propagation becomes more marked; thus, the fracturing time and the proportion of shear failure are further increased. The above results imply that to accurately predict the hydraulic fracture propagation in a real reservoir, it is vital to consider the roughness of real natural fractures and the nonuniform distribution of mechanical parameters in reservoir hydraulic fracturing modeling.