水力裂缝穿越非连续面扩展时的断裂过程研究

非连续面发育是非常规油气储层的显著地质特征之一,水力裂缝能否穿越非连续面扩展会关系到压裂的改造效果。为研究水力裂缝穿越非连续面扩展时断裂过程区（fracture process zone,简称FPZ）发育特征,采用自主设计的可视化压裂试验装置对含预制摩擦界面的砂岩平板试件开展水力压裂试验。基于数字图像相关法实时监测了水力裂缝正交穿越界面扩展过程中的位移及应变场特征。试验结果表明,水力裂缝穿越界面扩展之前,断裂过程区已经开始跨越界面发育;裂缝能否穿越界面扩展在FPZ的初始发育阶段已经注定,不受FPZ内应力软化过程影响。基于Renshaw-Pollard准则建立了考虑FPZ边界范围的裂缝穿越非连续面扩展准则,并通过前人及文中试验数据进行了可靠性验证。相比而言,改进准则更准确地考虑了裂缝前端线弹性断裂力学的适用范围。研究发现FPZ长宽比对裂缝穿越界面扩展准则有显著影响,相同条件下,FPZ长宽比越大,裂缝正交穿越界面扩展所需要的摩擦系数下限值越小。     

水平井中多条裂缝同步扩展时裂缝竞争机制

水平井中多条水力裂缝间的应力干扰行为,造成了压裂液排量的非均匀分配,影响了水力裂缝的几何形态。采用边界元法研究岩体在压裂液作用下的变形程度,以幂律流体泊肃叶平板流动方程来研究水力裂缝内部的压裂液流场,考虑了多条裂缝间应力干扰和压裂液流量分配,建立了流-固耦合的水平井多条水力裂缝同步扩展模型。模型可模拟水平井多条水力裂缝几何形态、应力干扰情况和压裂液排量的分配情况,可解释水力裂缝之间的竞争机制。多条裂缝同步扩展时,压裂液排量并非均等地分配到各个裂缝之中,进入到内部裂缝的压裂液流量最小,内部裂缝宽度最小;内部的水力裂缝增长一定长度后,停止增长,并且在应力干扰下逐渐闭合。     

不同煤体结构煤的水力压裂裂缝延伸规律

查明不同煤体结构煤水力压裂时裂缝延伸规律能为合理井网部署奠定基础。以沁水盆地柿庄区块为研究对象,对钻井煤心裂隙进行观测,划分出4种裂隙发育程度煤。基于岩体力学理论,建立了水力压裂过程中裂缝尖端应力场计算模型和水力裂缝能否穿过天然裂隙的判断准则。根据煤层气井实测资料,验证了理论分析的可靠性,得出了不同煤体结构煤的水力压裂裂缝延伸规律。结果表明:考虑诱导应力前后,2组天然裂隙发育煤的水力裂缝延伸规律不同,随着缝长增加,诱导应力随之增大,水力裂缝单一延伸方向变为双向延伸;1组天然裂隙发育煤的发育方向与最大主应力方向夹角较小,导致考虑诱导应力前后水力裂缝的延伸方向变化不明显,整体延伸趋于天然裂隙发育方向;在粒状偶见及粉状无裂隙发育煤中,水力裂缝总是沿着最大主应力方向延伸。研究成果为该区不同应力和裂隙发育下井网合理布置提供了理论依据。      

An explicitly coupled hydro‐geomechanical model for simulating hydraulic fracturing in arbitrary discrete fracture networks

Modeling hydraulic fracturing in the presence of a natural fracture network is a challenging task, owing to the complex interactions between fluid, rock matrix, and rock interfaces, as well as the interactions between propagating fractures and existing natural interfaces. Understanding these complex interactions through numerical modeling is critical to the design of optimum stimulation strategies. In this paper, we present an explicitly integrated, fully coupled discrete‐finite element approach for the simulation of hydraulic fracturing in arbitrary fracture networks. The individual physical processes involved in hydraulic fracturing are identified and addressed as separate modules: a finite element approach for geomechanics in the rock matrix, a finite volume approach for resolving hydrodynamics, a geomechanical joint model for interfacial resolution, and an adaptive remeshing module. The model is verified against the Khristianovich–Geertsma–DeKlerk closed‐form solution for the propagation of a single hydraulic fracture and validated against laboratory testing results on the interaction between a propagating hydraulic fracture and an existing fracture. Preliminary results of simulating hydraulic fracturing in a natural fracture system consisting of multiple fractures are also presented. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

页岩水平井多段分簇压裂起裂压力数值模拟

页岩储层孔隙度和渗透率极低,天然裂缝和水平层理发育,常规压裂增产措施无法满足页岩气的开发要求,水平井多段分簇压裂是页岩气开发的关键技术之一,该技术能够大幅度提升压裂改造的体积、产气量和最终采收率。为确定页岩储层水平井多段分簇射孔压裂的起裂点和起裂压力,采用有限元方法建立了水平井套管完井（考虑水泥环和套管的存在）多段分簇射孔的全三维起裂模型。数值模型的起裂压力与室内试验结果吻合较好,证明了数值模型的准确性和可靠性。利用数值模型研究了页岩水平井多段分簇射孔压裂的起裂点和起裂压力的影响因素,研究发现：射孔孔眼附近无天然裂缝或水平层理影响,起裂点发生在射孔簇孔眼的根部;射孔簇间距越小,中间射孔簇的干扰越大,可能造成中间的射孔簇无法起裂;射孔密度和孔眼长度增大,起裂压力降低;天然裂缝的存在,在某些情况能够降低起裂压力且改变起裂位置,主要与天然裂缝的分布方位及水平主应力差有关;水平层理可能会降低起裂压力,但与垂向主应力与水平最小主应力的差值有关。获得的起裂压力变化规律,可作为进一步研究水平井多段分簇射孔条件下的裂缝扩展规律的基础,可以为压裂设计和施工的射孔参数确定及优化给出具体建议。     

Modeling hydraulic fracture propagation using cohesive zone model equipped with frictional contact capability

We present a new pore pressure cohesive element for modeling the propagation of hydraulically induced fracture. The Park-Paulino-Roesler cohesive zone model has been employed to characterize the fracturing behavior. Coulomb’s frictional contact model has been incorporated into the element to model the possible shear reactivation of pre-existing natural fractures. The developed element has been validated through a series of single-element tests and an available analytical solution. Furthermore, intersection behaviors between the hydraulic fracture and the natural fracture under various conditions have been predicted using the present element, which shows good agreement with experimental results.     

预制横缝条件下水力裂缝的起裂和扩展

针对高角度天然裂缝发育地层中的水平井水力压裂问题,开展了水力裂缝自天然裂缝处起裂扩展的理论和试验研究。尝试将天然裂缝简化为与井筒轴线垂直的横向裂缝,基于线弹性断裂力学理论和最大拉应力准则,给出了水力裂缝起裂压力和扩展过程中应力强度因子的计算方法。利用预制横缝模拟高角度天然裂缝,开展了室内水力压裂试验,对水力裂缝的扩展形态和起裂压力进行了研究。理论计算表明,（1）水力裂缝自预制横缝端部起裂后,扩展距离超过1倍的预制横缝端部半径时可将预制横缝和水力裂缝合并起来,整体视作一条横向裂缝来计算应力强度因子;（2）水力裂缝尖端距井壁处的距离大于4倍的井筒半径时,应力强度因子的计算可忽略井筒的影响,近似采用硬币形裂缝的计算公式。试验研究发现,（1）水力裂缝在预制横缝端部起裂并扩展,形成与井筒轴线垂直的横向裂缝,裂缝的扩展呈现出Ⅰ型断裂的特点,形态近似呈圆形,未发现与井筒轴线平行的纵向裂缝的起裂和扩展;（2）排量对破裂净压力和起裂净压力有重要影响,大排量会导致较高的破裂净压力和起裂净压力,在大、小两种排量下起裂净压力的离散性均较小,计算得到的KⅠ临界断裂值的离散性也较小。研究结果可为改善裂缝发育储层的近井裂缝形态提供指导,也可为煤矿开采中预制横向切槽的水力压裂设计提供参考。     

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 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.     

砂砾岩液态CO2破裂机制试验研究

砂砾岩储层一般较为致密,且非均匀性强,常规压裂方法压裂效果不理想。液态CO2（L-CO2）压裂是近年来提出的一种压裂增产手段,压裂效果上具有明显的优势。采用井底岩芯开展不同围压下清水和L-CO2压裂试验,并结合?CT扫描和核磁共振试验,比较两种压裂方式在破裂压力、破裂特征和裂缝分布的差异,深入分析砂砾岩L-CO2压裂的破裂机制。发现相同围压下L-CO2可大幅度降低破裂压力,且增大围压,L-CO2和清水压裂的破裂压力相差越大;?CT扫描显示,L-CO2压裂形成的是不规则的多分支裂缝,与主裂缝共同构成复杂裂缝网络,L-CO2压裂的裂缝体积是远大于清水压裂。核磁共振（NMR）结果发现,L-CO2压裂中破裂以贯通砾石颗粒界面微裂纹的方式为主,剪切激活机制占主导作用,而清水压裂以形成张拉的单一裂缝方式为主。L-CO2压裂获得更好的裂缝网络主要与砂砾岩中砾石颗粒造成的非均匀性有关,并影响着裂缝网络的复杂性。相关的研究成果可为砂砾岩储层改造和增产增效工艺优化提供指导。     

Development of a full 3D numerical model to investigate the hydraulic fracture propagation under the impact of orthogonal natural fractures

Although hydraulic fracturing has been massively studied and applied as a key technique to enhance the gas production from tight formations, some problems and uncertainties exist to accurately predict and analyze the fracture behavior in complex reservoirs, especially in the naturally fractured reservoirs like shale reservoirs. This paper presents a full 3D numerical model (FLAC3D) to study hydraulic fracturing behavior under the impact of preexisting orthogonal natural fractures. In this numerical model, the hydraulic fracture propagation direction is assumed perpendicular to the minimum principal stress and activated only by tensile failure, whereas the preexisting natural fractures can be activated by tensile or shear failure or a combination of them, and only tensile failure can open the natural fracture as well. The newly developed model was used to study the impact of preexisting orthogonal natural fractures on hydraulic fracturing behavior, based on a multistage hydraulic fracturing operation in a naturally fractured reservoir from the Barnett Shale formation, northwest of Texas in USA. In this multistage operation, two more representative stages, i.e., stage 1 with a relatively large horizontal stress anisotropy of 3.3 MPa and stage 4 with a comparatively small one of 1.3 MPa, were selected to conduct the simulation. Based on the numerical results, one can observe that the interaction between hydraulic and natural fracture is driven mainly by induced stress around fracture tip. Besides, the horizontal stress anisotropy plays a key role in opening the natural fracture. Thus, no significant opened fracture is activated on natural fracture in stage 1, while in stage 4 an opened fracture invades to about 90 m into the first natural fracture. Conversely, the hydraulic fracture length in stage 1 is much longer than in stage 4, as some fluid volume is stored in the opened natural fracture in stage 4. In this work, the shear failure on natural fractures is treated as the main factor for inducing the seismic events. And the simulated seismic events, i.e., shear failure on natural fractures, are very comparable with the measured seismic events.

     

基于ABAQUS平台的水力裂缝扩展有限元模拟研究

随着扩展有限元理论的深入研究,利用扩展有限元方法模拟水力压裂具有了一定的可操作性。相比于常规有限元方法,XFEM方法具有计算结果精度高和计算量小的优点。但是,如何模拟射孔孔眼、如何模拟流体与岩石相互作用以及分析水力裂缝的扩展规律仍然是难题。以研究水力压裂裂缝扩展规律为目的,建立了岩石多孔介质应力平衡方程、流体渗流连续性方程和边界条件。通过有限元离散化方法对耦合方程矩阵进行处理。通过富集函数定义初始裂缝（射孔孔眼）,选择最大主应力及损伤变量D分别作为裂缝起裂和扩展判定准则,利用水平集方法模拟水力裂缝扩展过程。数值模拟结果显示：增加射孔方位角、压裂液排量和减小水平地应力差,起裂压力上升;黏度对起裂压力无明显影响。增加射孔方位角、压裂液排量、黏度和减小水平地应力差值有助于裂缝宽度的增加。增加水平地应力差值、压裂液排量和减小射孔方位角以及压裂液黏度有助于裂缝长度增加,反之亦然。基于ABAQUS的水力裂缝扩展有限元法可对不同井型和诸多储层物性参数及压裂施工参数进行分析,且裂缝形态逼真,裂缝面凹凸程度清晰,结果准确。此研究可作为一种简便有效研究水力压裂裂缝扩展规律的方法为油田水力压裂设计与施工提供参考与依据。     

Finite element simulations of 3D planar hydraulic fracture propagation using a coupled hydro-mechanical interface element

Two-dimensional hydraulic fracturing simulations using the cohesive zone model (CZM) can be readily found in the literature; however, to our knowledge, verified 3D cohesive zone modeling is not available. We present the development of a 3D fully coupled hydro-mechanical finite element method (FEM) model (with parallel computation framework) and its application to hydraulic fracturing. A special zero-thickness interface element based on the CZM is developed for modeling fracture propagation and fluid flow. A local traction-separation law with strain softening is used to capture tensile cracking. The model is verified by considering penny-shaped hydraulic fracture and plain strain Kristianovich‑Geertsma‑de Klerk hydraulic fracture (in 3D) in the viscosity- and toughness-dominated regimes. Good agreement between numerical results and analytical solutions has been achieved. The model is used to investigate the influence of rock and fluid properties on hydraulic fracturing. Lower stiffness tip cohesive elements tend to yield a larger elastic deformation around the fracture tips before the tensile strength is reached, generating a larger fracture length and lower fracture pressure compared with higher stiffness elements. It is found that the energy release rate has almost no influence on hydraulic fracturing in the viscosity-dominated regime because the energy spent in creating new fractures is too small when compared with the total input energy. For the toughness-dominated regime, the released energy during fracturing should be accurately captured; relatively large tensile strength should be used in order to match numerical results to the asymptotic analytical solutions. It requires smaller elements when compared with those used in the viscosity-dominated regime.     

Semianalytical modeling on 3D stress redistribution during hydraulic fracturing stimulation and its effects on natural fracture reactivation

The hydraulic fracturing technique has been widely applied in many fields, such as the enhanced geothermal systems (EGS), the improvement of injection rates for geologic sequestration of CO₂, and for the stimulations of oil and gas reservoirs. The key points for the success of hydraulic fracturing operations in unconventional resources are to accurately estimate the redistribution of pore pressure and stresses around the induced fracture and predict the reactivations of preexisting natural fractures. The pore pressure and stress regime around hydraulic fracture are affected by poroelastic and thermoelastic phenomena as well as by fracture opening compression. In this work, a comprehensive semi-analytical model is used to estimate the stress and pore pressure distribution around an injection-induced fracture from a single well in an infinite reservoir. The model allows the leak-off distribution in the formation to be three-dimensional with the pressure transient moving ellipsoidically outward into the reservoir from the fracture surface. The pore pressure and the stress changes in three dimensions at any point around the fracture caused by poroelasticity, thermoelasticity, and fracture compression are investigated. With Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, we calculate the natural fracture reactivations in the reservoir. Then, two case studies of constant water injection into a hydraulic fracture are presented. This work is of interest in the interpretation of microseismicity in hydraulic fracturing and in the estimation of the fracture spacing for hydraulic fracturing operations. In addition, the results from this study can be very helpful for the selection of stimulated wells and further design of the refracturing operations.     

水平井水力压裂影响参数的数值模拟

水力压裂是低渗油气藏的主要开发手段,传统数值模型所得到的基质-裂缝窜流量以及断裂参数精度不足.为此以流固耦合理论与断裂力学相结合的压裂模型为基础,模拟了水力裂缝扩展过程.在模型中分别引入离散裂缝模型和广义J积分计算基质-裂缝流量交换和断裂参数,并采用动态网格技术对裂缝尖端进行局部加密,以提高模拟的效率和精度.模型计算结果显示,影响水力压裂过程的主要参数中:基质渗透率和压裂液粘度主要影响水力裂缝的最终形态;岩石弹性模量影响裂缝宽度.对压裂车而言,最高工作压力一般都能够满足压裂增产需求,其最大输出功率和最大输出流量是限制压裂能力的主要因素.      

油气藏水力压裂计算模拟技术研究现状与展望

水力压裂技术是油气藏尤其是页岩气开发中的核心技术,利用数值模拟方法进行压裂优化和产能预测又是水力压裂成功的关键。本文首先介绍了水力压裂技术的发展历程。然后从计算模型(二维模型、拟三维模型和全三维模型)和数值模拟方法(基于连续介质和基于非连续介质)两方面对油气藏开发领域的水力压裂计算模拟技术进行较全面的总结。最后,从以下3个方面指出现今研究的不足并提出了进一步的研究建议:(1)全三维模型的完善-全三维模型应当与真实的工程参数和监测数据结合,用于校正模型本身,而校正后的全三维模型又可预测和优化新的现场水力压裂作业; (2)数值模拟方法的选用-已有的水力压裂数值模拟方法种类繁多,需要针对各种方法的适用范围、计算效率和模拟效果等,进行全面的比较和优化; (3)页岩储层中天然裂缝网络的数值模拟-天然裂隙网络加剧了页岩储层力学性质的各向异性,同时水力裂缝沟通天然裂缝活化扩展是有利于储层的增渗增产,对压裂缝网的形态、尺寸和连通率等起着至关重要的作用。因此,数值计算过程中综合考虑页岩储层中天然裂缝与水力裂缝的相互作用,将是未来水力压裂模拟的热点。     

页岩水力压裂过程的态型近场动力学模拟研究

水力压裂技术广泛使用于页岩气开采工程中。为了分析压裂过程中多裂缝扩展形成复杂裂缝网的机制,尝试将态型近场动力学理论引入页岩水平井水力压裂过程的力学建模与数值仿真,在物质点间相互作用力模型中加入等效水压力项以实现在新生裂缝面上跟踪施加水压力,建立了水力压裂过程的近场动力学分析模型。通过模拟页岩储层的水力压裂过程,可得到复杂的裂缝扩展路径、裂缝网络的形成过程以及裂缝扩展受射孔间距及页岩天然裂缝和层理的影响。研究结果表明:射孔间距过小会造成起裂干扰,使中心射孔的裂缝扩展受到抑制;在压裂压力一定的情况下适当增大射孔间距,可以显著增强页岩压裂形成裂缝网的能力;压裂过程中水平层理面可能张开形成水平裂缝,且天然裂缝会诱导形成更复杂的垂直裂缝。模型和方法可为页岩水力压裂过程和机制研究及工程实践提供参考。     

Cluster spacing optimization of multi-stage fracturing in horizontal shale gas wells based on stimulated reservoir volume evaluation

The multi-stage fracturing in horizontal well is a common technique for shale gas reservoir exploitation, in which cluster spacing governs the fracturing performance. Undersized cluster spacing might make the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV), activated by the respective hydraulic fracture, excessively overlap with each other, while oversized cluster spacing might leave a large unstimulated volume between neighboring hydraulic fractures; in either case, fracturing would be inefficient. Previous design of cluster spacing has failed to maximize the SRV due to the absence of a dynamic SRV evaluation model. A numerical model of SRV evaluation in shale reservoir was established by integrating four main modules, including fracture propagation, reservoir pressure distribution, formation stress distribution, and natural fracture failure criterion. Then, a method to optimize cluster spacing was developed with the goal of maximizing SRV. In order to validate this method, it was applied in Fuling shale gas reservoir in Southwest China to determine the optimal cluster spacing. The sensitivity of key parameters on the optimal cluster spacing has been analyzed. This research proposed a compelling cluster spacing optimization method, which could reduce the uncertainty in cluster spacing design, and provides some new insights on the optimal design of multi-stage fracturing in horizontal shale gas well.     

Laboratory investigation of hydraulic fracture propagation using real-time ultrasonic measurement in shale formations with random natural fractures

The significance of natural fractures in unconventional shale hydrocarbon formations has opened new research frontiers in hydraulic fracturing. Among many of its unique contributions to gas production, the interaction between natural fractures and hydraulic fractures has long been experimentally and computationally investigated. Here, we experimentally investigated the evolution of the fracturing network with a self-developed ultrasonic testing system. Laboratory experiments are proposed to study the propagation of hydraulic fracture in naturally fractured model blocks that contain random micro-fractures. Our analysis suggests that the total fracture width obtained by ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV) can reflect the dynamic evolution of the fracturing network. The nonlinear fracturing network evolution process is closely related to the variation of the total fracture width. It is suggested from the total fracture width that the maximum fracture network can be realized with greater natural fracture density, large injection rate, and smaller stress ratio. The study presents a better insight into the response of random naturally fractured shale formation under hydraulic fracturing treatment by analyzing the variation of UPV in real time.     

薄互层水力裂缝垂向扩展控制因素试验研究

新疆油田某地区油藏的储隔层岩性组合复杂,呈现突出的薄互层产状特征,研究合、分压判断条件有利于提高压裂效率,增强储层动用程度与压后改造效果。水力裂缝在薄互层中的穿层与裂缝扩展行为受薄互层地质特征与压裂施工参数的影响。基于此,开展了薄互层物理模型压裂试验,研究界面胶结、岩层分布、岩层厚度、压裂液黏度与注液排量对薄互层中水力裂缝垂向扩展的影响分析。试验结果表明：薄互层的地层特征界面胶结与岩层分布是水力裂缝垂向扩展的主要控制因素,界面胶结强度对裂缝垂向扩展行为的影响强于岩层分布;由于弱胶结界面的存在,水力裂缝垂向扩展穿层时可发生方向偏转,抑制裂缝垂向扩展;提高压裂液黏度与注液排量有利于薄互层中水力裂缝的穿层垂向扩展。     

煤岩水力压裂裂缝扩展形态试验研究

通过室内水力压裂物理模拟试验系统,对大尺寸原煤进行了水力压裂模拟试验,根据水力裂缝的空间展布形态分析了煤岩储层水力裂缝的延伸规律,揭示了网状裂缝的形成机制。结果表明：水力裂缝易在弱层理处分叉和转向,发育的层理和裂缝系统等结构面为压裂形成裂缝网络提供了前提条件。泵压曲线呈现出的频繁波动是煤岩内产生网状裂缝的一个显著特征。水力裂缝的起裂与延伸有4种基本模式,裂缝网络的形成多为这4种基本模式的组合。地应力差异系数和泵注排量对煤层水力裂缝形态有较大影响。较小的地应力差异系数更利于网状裂缝的形成;较高的压裂液排量易形成相对简单的裂缝形态,导致压裂改造效果较差。该试验方法和试验结果可为现场水力压裂参数设计和优化提供参考和依据。