Subterranean Fracture Propagation Simulation via Rock Block Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for simulating subterranean fracture propagation in oil and gas wells are inadequate in predicting complex fracture patterns and resource production, as they fail to accurately model the behavior of rock blocks under various forces during injection treatments in DIANE rock formations with natural fracture networks.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that simulate the behavior of rock blocks in subterranean formations by receiving a formation model, applying forces during an injection treatment, and generating an output model predicting responses such as fractures, displacements, and rotations, using probabilistic simulations and discontinuum models like DDA and NMM to account for uncertainty in rock properties and fracture networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional simulation methods are used for subterranean fracture propagation, then the simulation process is simple and fast, but the prediction accuracy of complex fracture patterns and resource production is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The subterranean formation is divided into discrete rock blocks that can be individually analyzed and simulated. Each rock block's response to forces during injection treatment is predicted separately, allowing for accurate tracking of fracture initiation and propagation through the segmented blocks while maintaining computational efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
A specialized simulation system acts as an intermediary between traditional simulation methods and accurate fracture pattern prediction. This system incorporates probabilistic simulations and discontinuum models (DDA and NMM) to bridge the gap between simple simulations and complex geological realities, improving prediction accuracy without requiring complete reformulation of the simulation approach.
2Reliability
If probabilistic simulations and discontinuum models are used to account for uncertainty in rock properties, then the prediction accuracy improves, but the computational complexity and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The simulation applies probabilistic analysis and discontinuum models selectively to rock blocks where uncertainty in properties most significantly impacts fracture behavior. Rather than applying these computationally intensive methods uniformly across all blocks, the system focuses computational resources on critical areas, achieving improved reliability without proportionally increasing total computational time.
3Manufacturing precision
If the rock formation is modeled as continuous, then the mathematical modeling is simpler, but it cannot accurately represent the discontinuous, inhomogeneous nature of DIANE rock formations with natural fracture networks
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous rock formation is segmented into discrete rock blocks, transforming the modeling approach from continuous to discontinuous. This segmentation enables accurate representation of inhomogeneous properties and natural fracture networks within each block and at block interfaces, capturing the true DIANE characteristics of the formation while maintaining a manageable model structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Each rock block in the discretized formation is assigned local properties that reflect the inhomogeneous nature of the formation. Different blocks can have different mechanical properties, fracture characteristics, and responses to stress, allowing the model to accurately represent spatial variations in rock quality without requiring complex continuous field equations throughout the entire formation.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and instructions encoded in a computer-readable medium can perform operations related to simulating subterranean fracture propagation. A subterranean formation model representing rock blocks of a subterranean formation is received. The subterranean formation model is used to predict a response of each rock block to one or more forces acting on the rock block during an injection treatment for the subterranean formation. The predicted responses of the rock blocks may include, for example, a fracture, a rotation, a displacement, a dilation of an existing fracture, and/or another type of response. In some implementations, an injection treatment may be designed for a subterranean formation based on the predicted response of the rock blocks.