Hydraulic Fracturing in Anisotropic Homogeneous Media.

in: Proc. 33rd Gocad Meeting, Nancy

Abstract

This work extends the theoretical framework developed last year for predicting propagation of fractures through time and space during a stimulation hydraulic fracturing test in homogeneous isotropic medium to transverse isotropic poro-elastic medium. It applies the poro-elastic theory coupled to the Mohr-Coulomb and Griffiths failure theory for predicting the fractures orientation against distance from the injection well. A unique dimensionless failure criterion written in terms of principal stresses and elastic rock properties is proposed. It includes the Mohr-Coulomb, Griffith, fractures reactivation and hydraulic fracturing. This unique formulation is used together with a generalized Hubbert-Willis formula to estimate the critical fracking pressure to be applied at the well head. Assuming a transversely isotropic material, the failure criterion is then rewritten using the strain and the metric tensors. These theoretical general formulations can be used to predict propagation of hydraulic fracturing (HF) in anisotropic reservoirs. This is important for better mastering the HF technology for releasing oil and gas in low permeable reservoirs such as gas and oil shales, tight gas sands, and coal seam gas.

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BibTeX Reference

@inproceedings{RoyerGM2013,
 abstract = { This work extends the theoretical framework developed last year for predicting propagation of fractures through time and space during a stimulation hydraulic fracturing test in homogeneous isotropic medium to transverse isotropic poro-elastic medium. It applies the poro-elastic theory coupled to the Mohr-Coulomb and Griffiths failure theory for predicting the fractures orientation against distance from the injection well.
A unique dimensionless failure criterion written in terms of principal stresses and elastic rock properties is proposed. It includes the Mohr-Coulomb, Griffith, fractures reactivation and hydraulic fracturing. This unique formulation is used together with a generalized Hubbert-Willis formula to estimate the critical fracking pressure to be applied at the well head. Assuming a transversely isotropic material, the failure criterion is then rewritten using the strain and the metric tensors. These theoretical general formulations can be used to predict propagation of hydraulic fracturing (HF) in anisotropic reservoirs. This is important for better mastering the HF technology for releasing oil and gas in low permeable reservoirs such as gas and oil shales, tight gas sands, and coal seam gas. },
 author = { Royer, Jean-Jacques },
 booktitle = { Proc. 33rd Gocad Meeting, Nancy },
 title = { Hydraulic Fracturing in Anisotropic Homogeneous Media. },
 year = { 2013 }
}