Unconventional Fracture Model for Stress Shadow Simulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydraulic fracture monitoring methods fail to accurately simulate complex fracture propagation in subterranean formations with pre-existing natural fractures, leading to inefficiencies in hydrocarbon recovery due to limitations in modeling stress interactions and fracture network geometry.
Innovation Solution
The development of an unconventional fracture model (UFM) that incorporates an enhanced 2D or 3D Displacement Discontinuity Method to compute stress shadows and simulate complex fracture networks, accounting for interactions between hydraulic and natural fractures, and optimizing fracture spacing and proppant placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional hydraulic fracture monitoring methods are used to map fracture locations and extents, then basic fracture mapping is achieved, but accurate simulation of complex fracture propagation and stress interactions is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms qualitative fracture mapping data into quantitative simulation parameters by incorporating stress shadow calculations, fracture network geometry parameters, and rock mechanical properties. This allows the system to move from simple location mapping to accurate propagation simulation by changing the parameter representation from basic spatial coordinates to comprehensive mechanical and geometric parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an unconventional fracture model (UFM) as an intermediary computational framework that bridges the gap between observed fracture locations and predicted propagation behavior. This UFM acts as a mediator that integrates stress shadow effects, fracture network interactions, and rock mechanics to translate mapping data into reliable propagation simulations.
2Device complexity
If simple fracture models are used to represent hydraulic fractures, then model complexity is reduced, but the ability to account for interactions between hydraulic and natural fractures is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fracture system into distinct components: hydraulic fractures, natural fractures, and stress shadow zones. By dividing the complex fracture network into manageable segments, the model can systematically account for interactions between different fracture types while maintaining computational feasibility. Each segment is modeled with appropriate parameters for its specific characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite fracture model that integrates multiple fracture types (hydraulic and natural) with different mechanical properties and behaviors. This composite approach allows the system to represent the heterogeneous nature of real fracture networks, where different fracture types interact through stress transfer and geometric constraints, while maintaining a unified modeling framework.
3Productivity
If fracture spacing and proppant placement are not optimized, then hydraulic fracturing operations can be performed without detailed modeling, but hydrocarbon recovery efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary optimization of fracture spacing and proppant placement through computational modeling before actual fracturing operations. By calculating optimal parameters in advance based on the unconventional fracture model and stress shadow analysis, the system eliminates the need for trial-and-error field adjustments, thereby improving recovery efficiency while managing design complexity through pre-computed optimal solutions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for more accurate simulation of fracture propagation and stress interference, enhancing hydrocarbon recovery by optimizing fracture network geometry and proppant placement, thereby improving the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing operations.
Implementation Method 1
an enhanced 2D or 3D Displacement Discontinuity Method to compute stress shadows
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of performing a fracture operation at a wellsite with a fracture network are provided. The methods involve obtaining wellsite data and a mechanical earth model, and generating a hydraulic fracture growth pattern for the fracture network over time. The generating involves extending hydraulic fractures from a wellbore and into the fracture network of a subterranean formation to form a hydraulic fracture network, determining hydraulic fracture parameters after the extending, determining transport parameters for proppant passing through the hydraulic fracture network, and determining fracture dimensions of the hydraulic fractures from the hydraulic fracture parameters, the transport parameters and the mechanical earth model. The methods also involve performing stress shadowing on the hydraulic fractures to determine stress interference between fractures and repeating the generating based on the determined stress interference. The methods may also involve determining crossing behavior.