Abstract

In this article, a numerical model considering multi-scale flow and heterogeneity of shale reservoirs is developed to analyze the spatiotemporal evolution of the stress field in shale gas production. After considering the geomechanical heterogeneity, the variation in the local rock mechanical parameters of the reservoir, and the increase in the effective stress of the reservoir will cause local stress fluctuations. In the hydraulic fracture control area, the average stress fluctuation coefficient is higher, indicating a stronger “stress heterogeneity.” When the homogeneity increases from 5 to 100, the fluctuation range of the minimum horizontal principal stress increases by 28.89 MPa, and the fluctuation range of the principal stress difference increases by 7.35 MPa. The presence of natural fractures can significantly impact the coupled hydraulic-mechanical processes of the reservoir, increasing the number of high-speed permeation channels penetrating the system. The greater the density and permeability, the smaller the minimum horizontal principal stress and the larger the principal stress difference. The angle of natural fractures directly influences the direction of stress drop, with an average minimum horizontal principal stress occurring when the angle of natural fractures is at 60°/120°.

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