Overview of numerical models for interactions between hydraulic fractures and natural fractures: Challenges and limitations

The intersection of natural fractures with hydraulic fractures results in formation of complex fracture networks, including non-planar fractures or multi-stranded fractures. On one hand, opening of these natural fractures improves productivity of the formation; on the other hand, coalescence of thes...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Computers and geotechnics 2016-01, Vol.71, p.361-368
Main Authors: Dahi Taleghani, Arash, Gonzalez, Miguel, Shojaei, Amir
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cohesive methods
Crack propagation
Damage mechanics
Fluid driven fractures
Formations
Fracture mechanics
Geotechnics
Hand (anatomy)
Hydraulic fracturing
LEFM
Mathematical models
Networks
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The intersection of natural fractures with hydraulic fractures results in formation of complex fracture networks, including non-planar fractures or multi-stranded fractures. On one hand, opening of these natural fractures improves productivity of the formation; on the other hand, coalescence of these fractures into a hydraulic fracture makes pressure analysis and prediction of fracture growth very complicated. Overall, interactions between natural fractures and hydraulic fractures pose more challenges in the fracturing design and its execution. Investigation and understanding of their interaction are crucial in achieving successful fracture treatments in formations with pre-existing natural fracture network. In this paper, we will review the numerical works that have been done in the last decade to model opening of natural fractures during hydraulic fracturing, focusing especially on mechanical models that address propagation of hydraulic fractures in naturally fractures reservoirs. Linear elastic fracture mechanics, cohesive element methods and continuum damage mechanics techniques utilized to understand interaction of hydraulic fractures with natural fractures are discussed here based on their capability to reproduce experimental results and field observations.
ISSN:0266-352X
1873-7633
DOI:10.1016/j.compgeo.2015.09.009