Numerical Analysis of Multiple Factors Affecting Hydraulic Fracturing in Heterogeneous Reservoirs Using a Coupled Hydraulic-Mechanical-Damage Model

Abstract

Hydraulic fracturing performance, affected by multiple factors, was essential to the economic exploitation of oil and gas in heterogeneous unconventional reservoirs. Multifactor analysis can gain insight into the fracturing response of reservoirs and in turn optimize the treatment design. Based on characterizations of the geological setting of a heterogeneous glutenite reservoir, the hydraulic fracture (HF) initiation and propagation process, as well as the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV), were simulated and analyzed using a coupled hydraulic-mechanical-damage model. The Weibull distribution was employed to describe rock heterogeneity. The numerical model was verified with microseism (MS) interpretation results of HF geometry. A multifactor analysis and optimization workflow integrating response surface methodology, central composite design (CCD), and numerical simulations was proposed to investigate the coupling effects of multiple geomechanical and hydrofracturing factors on SRV and identify the optimum design of fracturing treatment. The results showed that the horizontal stress difference and injection rate were the most significant factors to control the SRV. Increasing the injection rate and reducing fluid viscosity may contribute to improving the SRV. It is more difficult to increase the SRV at higher horizontal stress difference than at lower horizontal stress difference. The multifactor analysis and optimization workflow introduced in this work was a practical and effective method to control the HF geometry and improve the SRV. This study provided a deep understanding of the hydraulic fracturing mechanism and possessed theoretical significance for treatment design.