Abstract
Subjected to the extremely high pressurization rate, the pulsed fracture (PF) can branch to form a complex fracture network around the wellbore, which is the most desired in the reservoir stimulation. To study the PF behaviors further, the 3D numerical simulation is conducted. The rock formation is modeled by the augmented virtual internal bond method, which needs no separate fracture criterion in fracture simulation since the micro fracture mechanism has been embedded into the macro constitutive relation via micro bond potential. The simulation results demonstrate that the 3D PF always presents an ear-like profile. Some branched fractures advance towards the minor in-situ stress direction. The higher the pressurization rate is, the more complex the generated fracture network is. The longer isolation section makes the fracturing process easier. The PF speed is governed by the rock modulus. Besides these qualitative observations, some quantitative conclusions have been drawn. The findings of this work can deepen understanding on the PF and provide valuable references for PF operation in a reservoir.
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