首页|Investigating the impact of natural fractures on the propagation of multi-cluster fractures using XFEM
Investigating the impact of natural fractures on the propagation of multi-cluster fractures using XFEM
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NETL
NSTL
Elsevier
Integrating horizontal wells with multi-cluster fracturing techniques has effectively enhanced the contact area between hydraulic fractures (HFs) and the reservoir formation. However, field observations often reveal that fractures do not propagate uniformly, leading to resource wastage and potential interference between wells. This paper introduces a fully coupled XFEM model to investigate the influence of natural fractures (NFs) on the simultaneous propagation of multi-cluster fractures. By incorporating wellbore and perforation elements into the XFEM framework and reformulating pressure drop equations using Darcy's law, the model accurately represents fluid flow along both the wellbore and perforations. The XFEM approximates the displacement field, while the FEM handles the pressure field, with the resulting coupled equations solved using the Newton-Raphson iteration method. The validity and efficiency of the proposed model are demonstrated through comparisons with a four-fracture propagation problem. Sensitivity analysis indicates that NFs can disrupt uniform fracture propagation, with factors such as larger intersection angles, lower friction coefficients, and smaller NF apertures intensifying this effect. However, if the stress difference or intersection angle is relatively low, the impact of NFs may be temporary, allowing fluid partitioning to eventually become uniform. This study enhances the understanding of fracture propagation in the presence of NFs and provides valuable insights for optimizing hydraulic fracturing operations in fractured reservoirs.
NETL
NSTL
Elsevier
