Abstract
Utilization of hydraulic-fracturing technology is dramatically increasing in exploitation of natural gas extraction. However the prediction of the configuration of propagated hydraulic fracture is extremely challenging. This paper presents a numerical method of obtaining the configuration of the propagated hydraulic fracture into discrete natural fracture network system. The method is developed on the basis of weighted fracture which is derived in combination of Dijkstra’s algorithm energy theory and vector method. Numerical results along with experimental data demonstrated that proposed method is capable of predicting the propagated hydraulic fracture configuration reasonably with high computation efficiency. Sensitivity analysis reveals a number of interesting observation results: the shortest path weight value decreases with increasing of fracture density and length, and increases with increasing of the angle between fractures to the maximum principal stress direction. Our method is helpful for evaluating the complexity of the discrete fracture network, to obtain the extension direction of the fracture.
Highlights
Hydraulic fracturing is one of the key technologies in exploitation of natural gas, which plays a major role in enhancing petroleum reserves and daily production especially from unconventional reservoirs [1]
Due to the weaknesses of these two methods for simulating hydraulic fracture propagation in a large scale, a new numerical model based on graph theory, energy theory and vector methods was studied to obtain the final configuration of fracture propagation
Increases in natural gas extraction are being driven by rising energy demands, mandates for cleaner burning fuels, and the economics of energy use [26]
Summary
Hydraulic fracturing is one of the key technologies in exploitation of natural gas, which plays a major role in enhancing petroleum reserves and daily production especially from unconventional reservoirs [1]. Mohammadnejad and Khoei used a fully coupled extended finite element method for hydraulic fracture propagation of porous media [6]. Element Method (FEM) for simulating fracture propagation are very small. Behnia et al studied the boundary element method based on the displacement discontinuity formulation for mixed-mode crack tip propagation of pressurized fractures [11]. Due to the weaknesses of these two methods for simulating hydraulic fracture propagation in a large scale, a new numerical model based on graph theory, energy theory and vector methods was studied to obtain the final configuration of fracture propagation. A new method is presented to obtain the final configuration of fracture propagation with high computation efficiency, which combines Dijkstra’s algorithm, energy theory and vector method.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
