Global Sensitivity Analysis of a Reactive Transport Model for Mineral Scale Formation During Hydraulic Fracturing

Injection of water-based hydraulic fracturing fluid (HFF) into tight shale gas/oil formations can increase formation permeability and enhance production rates, but this process frequently causes mineral scale formation that can occlude pore space and hinder flow. To identify the most important factors that control the formation of mineral scales, we applied a novel global sensitivity analysis method-distance-based generalized sensitivity analysis (DGSA)-to a reactive transport model (RTM) that was previously built and calibrated to simulate precipitation of barite [BaSO4] and iron (hydr)oxide [Fe(OH)(3)] in shale matrices and on fracture surfaces. Reactive transport simulations were run with model parameters randomly sampled based on assigned uncertainties. Modeling results for barite and Fe(OH)(3) formation were clustered using machine-learning algorithms. A list of ranked critical input parameters was obtained after statistical quantification of cumulative distribution functions of input parameters. We found that barite formation is most sensitive to the rate of sulfate ion generation, which is determined by the pyrite dissolution rate coefficient and oxidant availability. In addition, barite formation is sensitive to the initial amounts of barite in HFF and shale, followed by barite thermodynamics/kinetics. For Fe(OH)(3) formation, the ranked factors are Fe(OH)(3) precipitation rate coefficients, initial HFF pH, initial Fe(OH)(3) amount in HFF, and oxidant availability. Our results provide insights into managing mineral scale formation during hydraulic fracturing to enhance production. Meanwhile, this study serves as an example of global sensitivity analysis of RTMs using the efficient, straightforward, and open-source DGSA method.

Automated summary

Through global sensitivity analysis of a reactive transport model, it was found that the formation of barite and Fe(OH)3 is most sensitive to specific factors. Barite formation is mainly influenced by the rate of sulfate ion generation, initial barite amounts, and thermodynamics/kinetics, while Fe(OH)3 formation is mainly affected by precipitation rate coefficients, initial HFF pH, and initial Fe(OH)3 amounts.