Numerical study of flow rate distribution for simultaneous multiple fracture propagation in horizontal wells Conference Paper uri icon

abstract

  • Copyright 2016 ARMA, American Rock Mechanics Association. Multi-stage fracturing treatments of plug and perf. completions can greatly increase the efficiency to create massive fractures in horizontal wells. However, there are accepted evidence that fractures in each perforation cluster generally cannot be uniformly developed due to uneven flow volume distribution. To increase the effective fracture number and improve the effectiveness of stimulation treatments, the key is to promote uniform flow volume distribution and fracture growth. In this paper, a series of case studies were investigated to analyze the effects of fluid viscosity, injection rate, fracture spacing, differential stress (SHmax - Shmin). and Young's modulus on simultaneous three-fracture propagation by employing an in-house developed fracture propagation model (XFRAC). The results demonstrated that increasing flow viscosity increases the difference of flow rate between fractures, resulting in less fluid received by the interior fracture. Large injection rate can promote more uniform fracture development. Small fracture spacing implies strong stress shadow effects, which results in large variation of flow volume into each fracture. Differential stress can alter the partitioning of flow volume between fractures. Large differential stress restricts a fracture growing along a straight line. Young's modulus has significant impacts on hydraulic fracture propagation. Numerical results shown that the rock formations with small Young's modulus favor uniform fracture geometry. This work analyzed how parameters affect multiple fracture propagation and provided critical guidelines for engineers to improve the effectiveness of multi-stage fracturing treatments.

published proceedings

  • 50th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium 2016

author list (cited authors)

  • Wu, K., Sangnimnuan, A., & Tang, J

complete list of authors

  • Wu, K||Sangnimnuan, A||Tang, J

publication date

  • January 2016