Geomechanical key parameters of the process of hydraulic fracturing propagation in fractured medium

Abstract

Hydraulic Fracturing (HF) is a well-stimulation technique that creates fractures in rock formations through the injection of hydraulically pressurized fluid. Because of the interaction between HF and Natural Fractures (NFs), this process in fractured reservoirs is different from conventional reservoirs. This paper focuses mainly on three effects including anisotropy in the reservoir, strength parameters of discontinuities, and fracture density on HF propagation process using a numerical simulation of Discrete Element Method (DEM). To achieve this aim, a comprehensive study was performed with considering different situations of in situ stress, the presence of a joint set, and different fracture network density in numerical models. The analysis results showed that these factors play a crucial role in HF propagation process. It also was indicated that HF propagation path is not always along the maximum principal stress direction. The results of the numerical models displayed that the affected area under HF treatment is decreased with increasing the strength parameters of natural fracture and decreasing fracture intensity.