Abstract
The conventional method to predict hydraulic fracture height depends on linear elastic mechanics, and the typical Gulrajani–Nolte chart fails to reflect fracture height when the net pressure in the fracture is too high. Based on fluid–solid coupling equations and rock fracture mechanics, a new chart is obtained by the ABAQUS extended finite-element method. Compared with the Gulrajani–Nolte chart, this new chart shows that longitudinal propagation of hydraulic fracture is still finite when the net pressure in the fracture is higher than in situ stress difference between reservoir and restraining barrier. The barrier has a significant shielding effect on the longitudinal propagation of hydraulic fracture, and there is a threshold for an injection rate of fracturing fluid to ensure hydraulic fracture propagates in the barrier. Fracture height decreases with the increase of in situ stress difference. When the ratio of net pressure to in situ stress difference is less than 0.56, the propagation of hydraulic fracture is completely restricted in the reservoir. Hydraulic fracturing parameters in Well Shen52 and Well Shen55 are optimized by using the new chart. Array acoustic wave logging shows that the actual fracture height is at an average error within 14.3% of the theoretical value, which proves the accuracy of the new chart for field application.
Highlights
Tight sandstone gas reservoir is an important type of unconventional reservoir
Large-scale hydraulic fracturing is the key technology for developing tight sandstone gas reservoir
In view of the above problem, a numerical simulation model of longitudinal propagation of hydraulic fracture in tight sandstone reservoir is established by the ABAQUS extended finite-element method
Summary
Tight sandstone gas reservoir is an important type of unconventional reservoir. The successful development of tight. The Gulrajani –Nolte chart showed that only when the net pressure reached a critical value that hydraulic fracture could penetrate the interface This chart showed the relation curve of net pressure and fracture height when the net pressure was less than in situ stress difference between reservoir and restraining barrier. In view of the above problem, a numerical simulation model of longitudinal propagation of hydraulic fracture in tight sandstone reservoir is established by the ABAQUS extended finite-element method. It reveals the influence of operation parameters and rock properties on fracture longitudinal propagation. A hydraulic fracturing operation in Shenmu block is designed using the new chart
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