The alterations of critical pore water pressure and micro-cracking morphology with near-wellbore fractures in hydraulic fracturing of shale reservoirs

The crack initiation and propagation in a laminated shale formation have been widely investigated, but the alterations of critical pore water pressure (including fracture initiation pressure and breakdown pressure) and the micro-cracking morphology with near-wellbore fracture geometry are still unclear. This paper numerically investigates the alterations of critical pore water pressure and the morphology of the hydraulic fractures in shale formation with different near-wellbore fractures. First, a hydro-fracturing model is developed for a laminated shale formation within the framework of PFC2D. Then, this model is validated with the Blanton's criterion, pressure history and fracture geometry. Finally, the effects of length, shape, and symmetry properties of near-wellbore fractures on the critical pore water pressure and micro-cracking morphology are comparatively investigated. The critical pore water pressure, micro-cracking morphology, aperture and permeability, and the fractal dimension of hydraulic fractures are quantitatively analyzed at three initial near-wellbore fractures. Simulation results indicate that the length and the distribution of near-wellbore fracture branches play a crucial role in pore water pressure variation and micro-crack propagation during hydraulic fracturing. The critical pore water pressure is sensitive to the initial near-wellbore fracture length especially when the initial fracture length exceeds a critical fracture length. The shape of initial near-wellbore fracture could change the distribution of micro cracks and induce large pore water pressure. The symmetrical radial fracture (theta=0 degrees) more likely causes a hydraulic fracture with high permeability while the X-shape fracture (theta=30 degrees) contributes greatly to the complexity of the fracture network and stimulated reservoir volume. These findings on the pore water pressure variation and the micro-cracking morphology are helpful in the optimization design of hydraulic fracturing treatment.

Automated summary

This paper numerically investigates the alterations of critical pore water pressure and the morphology of hydraulic fractures in shale formations with different near-wellbore fractures. The length, shape, and symmetry properties of near-wellbore fractures have significant impacts on pore water pressure variation and micro-crack propagation during hydraulic fracturing. These findings are helpful for the optimization design of hydraulic fracturing treatment.