Evaluating a Simple Fracturing Criterion for a Hydraulic Fracture Crossing Stress and Stiffness Contrasts

Huang, Jixiang; Fu, Pengcheng; Settgast, Randolph R.; Morris, Joseph P.; Ryerson, Frederick J.

doi:10.1007/s00603-018-1679-7

Title: Evaluating a Simple Fracturing Criterion for a Hydraulic Fracture Crossing Stress and Stiffness Contrasts

Journal Article · 02 December 2018 · Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-018-1679-7 · OSTI ID:1513105

Huang, Jixiang ^[1];

^[1]; Settgast, Randolph R. ^[1]; Morris, Joseph P. ^[1]; Ryerson, Frederick J. ^[1]

Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Hydraulic fracture height containment is a critical issue in the development of unconventional reservoirs. The extent of fracture height growth depends on a variety of factors, particularly stress and stiffness contrasts between adjacent layers. Accurate simulation of fracture growth and containment requires a reliable fracturing criterion. The virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) is a widely used method for computing energy release rate. However, it is based on the assumption that a small crack extension does not significantly alter the state of the crack tip, which is generally not the case when a fracture crosses strong stress and/or stiffness contrasts. In this work, we assess the applicability and accuracy of a modified virtual crack closure technique (MVCCT) for a fluid-driven fracture in breaking through interfaces with significant stress and/or stiffness contrasts, through comparisons with analytical and reference numerical solutions. Here, the results show that significant error could occur when the fracture tip is very near or at stress/stiffness interfaces. However, this error is localized to the interface and proves to be inconsequential to the predicted penetration depth into the rock layer beyond the interface. Finally, this study validates the applicability of MVCCT in 3D hydraulic fracturing simulation in strongly heterogeneous rock formations.

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Research Organization:: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC52-07NA27344

OSTI ID:: 1513105

Report Number(s):: LLNL-JRNL--751676; 937344

Journal Information:: Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Journal Name: Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 52; ISSN 0723-2632

Publisher:: SpringerCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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