In the development of coalbed methane(CBM)reservoirs using multistage fractured horizontal wells,there often exist areas that are either repeatedly stimulated or completely unstimulated between fracturing stages,leadi...In the development of coalbed methane(CBM)reservoirs using multistage fractured horizontal wells,there often exist areas that are either repeatedly stimulated or completely unstimulated between fracturing stages,leading to suboptimal reservoir performance.Currently,there is no well-established method for accurately evaluating the effectiveness of such stimulation.This study introduces,for the first time,the concept of the Fracture Network Bridging Coefficient(FNBC)as a novel metric to assess stimulation performance.By quantitatively coupling the proportions of unstimulated and overstimulated volumes,the FNBC effectively characterizes the connectivity and efficiency of the fracture network.A background grid calibration method is developed to quantify the stage-controlled volume,effectively stimulated volume,unstimulated volume,and repeatedly stimulated volume among different stages of horizontal wells.Furthermore,an optimization model is constructed by taking the FNBC as the objective function and the fracturing injection rate and fluid volume as optimization variables.The Simultaneous Perturbation Stochastic Approximation(SPSA)algorithm is employed to iteratively perturb and optimize these variables,progressively improving the FNBC until the optimal displacement rate and fluid volume corresponding to the maximum FNBC are obtained.Field application in a typical CBM multistage fractured horizontal well in China demonstrates that the FNBC increased from 0.358 to 0.539(a 50.6% improvement),with the injection rate rising from 16 m^(3)/min to 24 m^(3)/min and the average fluid volume per stage increasing from 2490 m^(3) to 3192 m^(3),significantly enhancing the stimulation effectiveness.This research provides theoretical support for designing high-efficiency stimulation strategies in unconventional reservoirs under dynamic limits.展开更多
To elucidate the dynamic characteristics of in-situ methane deflagration in coalbed methane wellbores and its mechanisms for fracturing coal rock,this study first developed a simulation experimental system specificall...To elucidate the dynamic characteristics of in-situ methane deflagration in coalbed methane wellbores and its mechanisms for fracturing coal rock,this study first developed a simulation experimental system specifically designed for methane in-situ deflagration fracturing.This experimental system,which is capable of withstanding pressures up to 150 MPa and meanwhile applying axial and confining pressures of up to 50 MPa to rock cores,enables the coupled simulation on methane deflagration and rock core fracturing processes.With the aid of this experimental system,physical simulation experiments on in-situ methane deflagration fracturing were conducted,and the following findings were obtained.Methane deflagration loads in enclosed wellbores exhibit characteristics of multi-level pulsed oscillation.With the rise of initial gas pressure,the peak deflagration load increases approximately linearly,with the pressure amplification factor spanning from 23.14 to 31.10,and its peak loading rate grows exponentially.Accordingly,the fracture volume and fracture porosity augment.To be specific,when the initial gas pressure rises from 0.6 to 2.4 MPa,the fracture volume and fracture porosity augment by factors of 14.0 and 8.73,respectively.The fractal dimension of spatial distribution of fractures also increases with the rise of deflagration load,indicating that a higher deflagration load conduces to the development of a larger and more complex fracture network.Methane deflagration fracturing is characterized as a composite fracture mode that involves the impact of strong stress waves and the driving force of high-pressure fluids.The primary factors influencing damage to coal-rock include the high-stress impact in the initial stage of deflagration,the fluid pressure driving effect in the middle stage,and the thermal shock resulting from high temperatures in the later stage.展开更多
With the increasing demand for energy,traditional oil resources are facing depletion and insufficient supply.Many countries are rapidly turning to the development of unconventional oil and gas resources.Among them,sha...With the increasing demand for energy,traditional oil resources are facing depletion and insufficient supply.Many countries are rapidly turning to the development of unconventional oil and gas resources.Among them,shale oil and gas reservoirs have become the focus of unconventional oil and gas resources exploration and development.Based on the characteristics of shale oil and gas reservoirs,supercritical CO_(2) fracturing is more conducive to improving oil recovery than other fracturing technologies.In this paper,the mechanism of fracture initiation and propagation of supercritical CO_(2) in shale is analyzed,including viscosity effect,surface tension effect,permeation diffusion effect of supercritical CO_(2),and dissolution-adsorption effect between CO_(2) and shale.The effects of natural factors,such as shale properties,bedding plane and natural fractures,and controllable factors,proppant,temperature,pressure,CO_(2) concentration and injection rate on fracture initiation and propagation are clarified.The methods of supercritical CO_(2) fracturing process,thickener and proppant optimization to improve the efficiency of supercritical CO_(2) fracturing are discussed.In addition,some new technologies of supercritical CO_(2) fracturing are introduced.The challenges and prospects in the current research are also summarized.For example,supercritical CO_(2) is prone to filtration when passing through porous media,and it is difficult to form a stable flow state.Therefore,in order to achieve stable fracturing fluid suspension and effectively support fractu res,it is urge nt to explo re new fracturing fluid additives or improve fracturing fluid formulations combined with the research of new proppants.This paper is of great significance for understanding the behavior mechanism of supercritical CO_(2) in shale and optimizing fracturing technology.展开更多
The effectiveness of horizontal well multi-stage and multi-cluster fracturing in the fractured soft coal seam roof for coalbed methane(CBM) extraction has been demonstrated.This study focuses on the geological charact...The effectiveness of horizontal well multi-stage and multi-cluster fracturing in the fractured soft coal seam roof for coalbed methane(CBM) extraction has been demonstrated.This study focuses on the geological characteristics of the No.5 and No.11 coal seams in the Hancheng Block,Ordos Basin,China.A multi-functional,variable-size rock sample mold capable of securing the wellbore was developed to simulate layered formations comprising strata of varying lithology and thicknesses.A novel segmented fracturing simulation method based on an expandable pipe plugging technique is proposed.Large-scale true triaxial experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of horizontal wellbore location,perforation strategy,roof lithology,and vertical stress difference on fracture propagation,hydraulic energy variation,and the stimulated reservoir volume in horizontal wells targeting the soft coal seam roof.The results indicate that bilateral downward perforation with a phase angle of 120° optimizes hydraulic energy conservation,reduces operational costs,enhances fracture formation,and prevents fracturing failure caused by coal powder generation and migration.This perforation mode is thus considered optimal for coal seam roof fracturing.When the roof consists of sandstone,each perforation cluster tends to initiate a single dominant fracture with a regular geometry.In contrast,hydraulic fractures formed in mudstone roofs display diverse morphology.Due to its high strength,the sandstone roof requires significantly higher pressure for crack initiation and propagation,whereas the mudstone roof,with its strong water sensitivity,exhibits lower fracturing pressures.To mitigate inter-cluster interference,cluster spacing in mudstone roofs should be greater than that in sandstone roofs.Horizontal wellbore placement critically influences fracturing effectiveness.For indirect fracturing in sandstone roofs,an optimal position is 25 mm away from the lithological interface.In contrast,the optimal location for indirect fracturing in mudstone roofs is directly at the lithological interface with the coal seam.Higher vertical stress coefficients lead to increased fractu ring pressures and promote vertical,layer-penetrating fractures.A coefficient of 0.5 is identified as optimal for achieving effective indirect fracturing.This study provides valuable insights for the design and optimization of staged fracturing in horizontal wells targeting crushed soft coal seam roofs.展开更多
Multistage fracturing technology has been used to enhance tight hydrocarbon resource recovery.Determining the proper well spacing and fracturing strategy is crucial for generating a complex fracture network that facil...Multistage fracturing technology has been used to enhance tight hydrocarbon resource recovery.Determining the proper well spacing and fracturing strategy is crucial for generating a complex fracture network that facilitates oil and gas flow in reservoirs.The stress-shadow effect that occurs between multiple wells significantly affects the development of fracture networks in reservoirs.However,the quantification of the stress-shadow effect and its influence on fracture networks has not been satisfactorily resolved because of the difficulties in detecting and identifying fracture propagation and reorientation in reservoirs.In this study,based on the geological information from the Shengli oilfield,we applied a hybrid finite element-discrete element method to analyze engineering-scale three-dimensional fracture propagation and reorientation by altering well spacings and fracturing strategies.The results indicate that the fracturing area generated by the synchronous fracturing scheme is much smaller than those generated by the sequential and alternative schemes.An alternative hydrofracturing scheme is optimal with respect to fracturing area.The stress-blind area was defined to quantify the mechanical disturbance between adjacent wells.Our study improves the understanding of the effect of fracturing schemes on fracture networks and the impact of independent factors contributing to stress-shadow effects.展开更多
Multi-stage and multi-cluster fracturing(MMF)is a crucial technology in unconventional oil and gas development,aiming to enhance production by creating extensive fracture networks.However,achieving uniform expansion o...Multi-stage and multi-cluster fracturing(MMF)is a crucial technology in unconventional oil and gas development,aiming to enhance production by creating extensive fracture networks.However,achieving uniform expansion of multi-cluster hydraulic fractures(HFs)in MMF remains a significant challenge.Field practice has shown that the use of temporary plugging and diversion fracturing(TPDF)can promote the balanced expansion of multi-cluster HFs.This study conducted TPDF experiments using a true triaxial fracturing simulation system setting a horizontal well completion with multi-cluster jetting perforations to investigate the equilibrium initiation and extension of multi-cluster fractures.The influence of key parameters,including cluster spacing,fracturing fluid viscosity,differential stress,and fracturing fluid injection rate,on fracture initiation and propagation was systematically examined.The results indicate that while close-spaced multi-cluster fracturing significantly increases the number of HFs,it also leads to uneven extension of HFs in their propagation.In contrast,TPDF demonstrates effectiveness in mitigating uneven HF extension,increasing the number of HFs,and creating a larger stimulated reservoir volume,ultimately leading to improved oil and gas well productivity.Moreover,under conditions of high differential stress,the differential stress within the formation exerts a stronger guiding effect in HFs,which are more closely aligned with the minimum principal stress.Low-viscosity fluids facilitate rapid and extensive fracture propagation within the rock formation.High-volume fluid injection,on the other hand,more comprehensively fills the formation.Therefore,employing lowviscosity and high-volume fracturing is advantageous for the initiation and extension of multi-cluster HFs.展开更多
Based on continuum-discontinuum element method,the numerical simulation of fracture propagation during deflagration-hydraulic composite fracturing was constructed by considering deflagration stress impact induced frac...Based on continuum-discontinuum element method,the numerical simulation of fracture propagation during deflagration-hydraulic composite fracturing was constructed by considering deflagration stress impact induced fracture creation,deflagrating gas driven fracture propagation,and hydraulic fracture propagation,exploring the effects of in-situ stress difference,deflagration peak pressure,deflagration pressurization rate,hydraulic fracturing displacement and hydraulic fracturing fluid viscosity on fracture propagation in deflagration-hydraulic composite fracturing.The deflagration-hydraulic composite fracturing combines the advantages of deflagration fracturing in creating complex fractures near wells and the deep penetration of hydraulic fracturing at the far-field region,which can form multiple deep penetrating long fractures with better stimulation effects.With the increase of in-situ stress difference,the stimulated area of deflagration-hydraulic composite fracturing is reduced,and the deflagration-hydraulic composite fracturing is more suitable for reservoirs with small in-situ stress difference.Higher peak pressure and pressurization rate are conducive to increasing the maximum fracture length and burst degree of the deflagration fractures,which in turn increases the stimulated area of deflagration-hydraulic composite fracturing and improves the stimulation effect.Increasing the displacement and viscosity of hydraulic fracturing fluid can enhance the net pressure within the fractures,activate the deflagration fractures,increase the turning radius of the fractures,generate more long fractures,and effectively increase the stimulated reservoir area.The stimulated reservoir area is not completely positively correlated with the hydraulic fracturing displacement and fracturing fluid viscosity,and there is a critical value.When the critical value is exceeded,the stimulated area decreases.展开更多
Deep geological repository is typically situated at depths ranging from several hundred to 1000 m below ground,making bentonite engineered barrier potentially vulnerable to high water pressure and even inducing hydrau...Deep geological repository is typically situated at depths ranging from several hundred to 1000 m below ground,making bentonite engineered barrier potentially vulnerable to high water pressure and even inducing hydraulic fracturing.This study conducted injection tests on compacted GMZ(Gaomiaozi)bentonite with a self-developed visualization set-up.The objective was to unveil the roles of dry density,water content,and pressurization rate in hydraulic fracturing from the perspective of fracturing macromorphological dynamics and breakthrough characteristics.Moreover,the relationships between breakthrough characteristics and microstructure were examined by MIP(mercury intrusion porosimetry)analysis.Results showed that the fracturing dynamics were characterized by three stages:hydration,cracking,and fracturing stages.Compared to water content and pressurization rate,dry density exerted more pronounced effects on these stages.Increasing dry density can lead to an expansion of circular hydration zone,a more complex cracking network,and a change in fracturing patterns from long and clear to short and fuzzy.In terms of breakthrough characteristics,the breakthrough pressure was positively correlated with dry density and negatively correlated with water content.Interestingly,there is a good and unique logarithmic correlation between the breakthrough pressure and the ratio eM/em of inter-aggregate void ratio and intra-aggregate void ratio,regardless of dry density and water content.Within a certain range(i.e.200-50 kPa/min),breakthrough pressure showed slight dependency on pressurization rate.Nevertheless,an extremely low pressurization rate of 20 kPa/min caused a transition for the specimen from quasi-brittle to plastic state owning to more water infiltration,thereby hindering fracture initiation and propagation.展开更多
Tight gas reservoirs are often characterized by pronounced heterogeneity and poor continuity,resulting in wide variability in production enhancement and net present value(NPV)for different geological parameter combina...Tight gas reservoirs are often characterized by pronounced heterogeneity and poor continuity,resulting in wide variability in production enhancement and net present value(NPV)for different geological parameter combinations(see e.g.,the Ordos Basin).The conditions governing geological adaptability remain insufficiently defined.To address these challenges,this study integrates large-volume hydraulic fracturing,numerical production simulation,and economic evaluation to elucidate the mechanisms by which large-scale fracturing enhances fracture parameters in tight gas formations.The analysis reveals that,for identical proppant and fluid volumes,increasing the fracturing injection rate leads to longer and taller fractures.Over the same production period,this results in a more rapid decline in average reservoir pressure and a higher cumulative gas output.Through simulations conducted at varying injection rates across 11 production wells in the target block,the study demonstrates that large-volume fracturing can effectively connect otherwise isolated tight gas pockets,enlarge the drainage area,and substantially boost individual well production.A comparative assessment of simulation outcomes and economic performance shows that large-volume fracturing significantly improves gas recovery and NPV compared to conventional smaller-scale treatments.The study identifies the key geological indicators that influence differences in production enhancement and economic returns between small-and large-volume fracturing strategies.Based on these findings,a decision matrix is developed(utilizing a trapezoidal membership function)to evaluate the geological suitability of large-volume fracturing in tight gas reservoirs.This matrix is applied to the 11 target wells,with the evaluation results aligning well with those obtained from numerical simulations.展开更多
Medium-high maturity continental shale oil is one of the hydrocarbon resources with the most potential for successful development in China.Nevertheless,the unique geological conditions of a multi-lithologic superposit...Medium-high maturity continental shale oil is one of the hydrocarbon resources with the most potential for successful development in China.Nevertheless,the unique geological conditions of a multi-lithologic superposition shield the vertical propagation of hydraulic fractures and limit the longitudinal reconstruction in reservoirs,posing a great challenge for large-scale volumetric fracturing.Radial wellbore crosslayer fracturing,which transforms the interaction between the hydraulic fractures and lithologic interface into longitudinal multilayer competitive initiation,could provide a potential solution for this engineering challenge.To determine the longitudinal propagation behaviors of fractures guided by radial wellbores,true triaxial fracturing experiments were performed on multilayer shale-sandstone samples,with a focus on the injection pressure response,fracture morphology,and cross-layer pattern.The effects of the radial borehole length L,vertical stress difference K_(v),injection rate Q,and viscosity m of the fracturing fluid were analyzed.The results indicate that radial wellbores can greatly facilitate fracture initiation and cross-layer propagation.Unlike conventional hydraulic fracturing,there are two distinct fracture propagation patterns in radial wellbore fracturing:cross-layering and skip-layering.The fracture height guided by a radial wellbore is positively correlated with K_(v),Q,and m.Increasing these parameters causes a shift in the fracture initiation from a single root to an asynchronous root/toe end and can improve the cross-layer propagation capacity.Critical parameter thresholds exist for fracture propagation through and across interlayers under the guidance of radial boreholes.A parameter combination of critical cross-layering/skip-layering or alternating displacement/viscosity is recommended to simultaneously improve the fracture height and degree of lateral activation.The degree of correlation of different parameters with the vertical fracture height can be written as L>Q/m>K_(v).Increasing the radial wellbore length can effectively facilitate fracture cross-/skip-layer propagation and reduce the critical threshold of injection parameters,which is conducive to maximizing the stimulated reservoir volume.展开更多
Coal seams in China are typically characterized by high coal seam gas content and low permeability,posing challenges for efficient coal seam gas extraction.However,achieving successful boreholes,especially in soft coa...Coal seams in China are typically characterized by high coal seam gas content and low permeability,posing challenges for efficient coal seam gas extraction.However,achieving successful boreholes,especially in soft coal formations,remains a challenge.The mechanisms underlying permeability improvement in different coal structures need further exploration.Therefore,this paper is focused on the fundamental principles of permeability improvement in soft coal through hydraulic punching,and in hard coal via hydraulic jet fracturing.Firstly,borehole instability results from a dynamic interplay of four factors:in situ stress,coal structure,mechanical properties of coal with fluid,and drilling technology.While borehole instability is inevitable,enhancing drilling tools,drilling media,and drilling processes can mitigate risks associated with buried and stuck drill pipes by ensuring effective discharge of drill cuttings through critical flow velocity and displacement.Secondly,permeability improvement in soft coal through hydraulic punching aims at pressure relief and capacity increase,while in hard coal,hydraulic jet fracturing induces crack formation within the coal seam.Finally,this study illustrates the dynamics of the granular arch in soft coal after hydraulic punching,shedding light on the complex processes involved.展开更多
This paper introduces a novel approach combining radial borehole fracturing with Water-Alternating-Gas(WAG)injection,enabling simultaneous WAG injection and shale oil production in a single vertical well.A numerical r...This paper introduces a novel approach combining radial borehole fracturing with Water-Alternating-Gas(WAG)injection,enabling simultaneous WAG injection and shale oil production in a single vertical well.A numerical reservoir model incorporating the modified exponential non-Darcy law,stress sensitivity,and diffusion is established.The spatial distribution of permeability reduction shows that stress sensitivity enhances the non-Darcy effect,with apparent permeability decreasing to 0-92.1%of the initial value,highlighting the importance of maintaining reservoir pressure.Continuous CO_(2) flooding leads to early gas breakthrough,while continuous water flooding has less displacement efficiency.A 30%water-to-gas injection time ratio improves oil production and delays gas breakthrough compared to continuous CO_(2) injection.Optimal conditions for effective recovery are identified as an initial production period of 100 d and a well vertical spacing of 30 m.This study compares the production capacity of WAG operations under radial borehole fracturing and horizontal well fracturing.When the number of wells is two for both cases,the production capacity of radial borehole fracturing is comparable to that of five-stage horizontal well fracturing,indicating that radial borehole fracturing can serve as an alternative or supplement to horizontal well fracturing when the reservoir volume is limited.This study offers a new method and theoretical basis for the efficient development of shale oil.展开更多
Previous studies on post-fracturing flowback fluids focus primarily on their cleaning and discharge,high salinity sources,and damage to gas reservoirs.An analysis of the geochemical characteristics of these fluids hel...Previous studies on post-fracturing flowback fluids focus primarily on their cleaning and discharge,high salinity sources,and damage to gas reservoirs.An analysis of the geochemical characteristics of these fluids helps develop an improved understanding of the preservation condition and fracturing performance of shale gas reservoirs.This study analyzed the ion,total dissolved solids(TDS)concentration,and stable isotope characteristics of post-fracturing flowback fluids from five horizontal shale gas wells in the Luzhou area.Among these wells,two were subjected to hydraulic fracturing using fresh water,and three using reused flowback fluids.The results indicate that with increasing flowback time,the post-fracturing flowback fluids from wells subjected to hydraulic fracturing using fresh water showed increased TDS concentration,heavier stable isotopes,and the presence of new ion components.These results indicate the mixing of a large volume of formation water into the fluids.In contrast,postfracturing flowback fluids from wells subjected to hydraulic fracturing using reused flowback fluids exhibited a slow increase in the TDS concentration and stable isotopes.As the flowback time increased,the trends in TDS concentration and stable isotope ratios of post-fracturing flowback fluids from shale gas wells subjected to fracturing using fresh water evolved toward those of post-fracturing flowback fluids from shale gas wells undergoing fracturing using reused flowback fluids.Measurements show that post-fracturing flowback fluids from both well types exhibited roughly the same properties after one year of shale gas production.This result suggests that post-fracturing flowback fluids from wells using reused flowback fluids progressively took on the formation water properties.In particular,postfracturing flowback fluids from well Lu 211—a well subjected to hydraulic fracturing using fresh water—showed a low sodium-chloride coefficient,a low coefficient of variation,high TDS concentration,heavy stable isotopes,and a high nitrate ion concentration.This indicates a formation water source of the fluids and the poor sealing of the formation water,which hinders shale gas enrichment.The quantification of the fracturing fluid and formation water contents in the post-fracturing flowback fluids reveals that higher TDS concentration and heavier stable isotopes in the fluids appear to correspond to higher formation water content and lower fracturing fluid content,as well as higher fracturing performance.A systematic analysis of the geochemical characteristics and flowback pattern of fracturing fluids indirectly provides insights into the flow path of formation water,water body mixing,rock-water interactions,and fluid sources.Besides,the analysis offers a new perspective for understanding the preservation conditions and fracturing performance of shale gas reservoirs.展开更多
By systematically summarizing horizontal well fracturing technology abroad for shale oil and gas reservoirs since the “13th Five-Year Plan”, this article elaborates new horizontal well fracturing features in 3D deve...By systematically summarizing horizontal well fracturing technology abroad for shale oil and gas reservoirs since the “13th Five-Year Plan”, this article elaborates new horizontal well fracturing features in 3D development of stacked shale reservoirs, small well spacing and dense well pattern, horizontal well re-fracturing, fracturing parameters optimization and cost control. In light of requirements on horizontal well fracturing technology in China, we have summarized the technological progress in simulation of multi-fracture propagation, horizontal well frac-design, electric-drive fracturing equipment, soluble tools and low-cost downhole materials and factory-like operation. On this basis, combined with the demand analysis of horizontal well fracturing technology in the “14th Five-Year Plan” for unconventional shale oil and gas, we suggest strengthening the research and development in the following 7 aspects:(1) geology-engineering integration;(2) basic theory and design optimization of fracturing for shale oil and gas reservoirs;(3) development of high-power electric-drive fracturing equipment;(4) fracturing tool and supporting equipment for long horizontal section;(5) horizontal well flexible-sidetracking drilling technology for tapping remaining oil;(6) post-frac workover technology for long horizontal well;(7) intelligent fracturing technology.展开更多
Two sets of alloys,Mg-Zn-Ca-xNi(0≤x≤5),have been developed with tunable corrosion and mechanical properties,optimized for fracturing materials.High-zinc artificial aged(T6)Mg-12Zn-0.5Ca-x Ni(0≤x≤5)series,featuring...Two sets of alloys,Mg-Zn-Ca-xNi(0≤x≤5),have been developed with tunable corrosion and mechanical properties,optimized for fracturing materials.High-zinc artificial aged(T6)Mg-12Zn-0.5Ca-x Ni(0≤x≤5)series,featuring a straightforward preparation method and the potential for manufacturing large-scale components,exhibit notable corrosion rates up to 29 mg cm^(-2)h^(-1)at 25℃ and 643 mg cm^(-2)h^(-1)at 93℃.The high corrosion rate is primary due to the Ni–containing second phases,which intensify the galvanic corrosion that overwhelms their corrosion barrier effect.Low-zinc rolled Mg-1.5Zn-0.2Ca-x Ni(0≤x≤5)series,characterizing excellent deformability with an elongation to failure of~26%,present accelerated corrosion rates up to 34 mg cm^(-2)h^(-1)at 25℃ and 942 mg cm^(-2)h^(-1)at 93℃.The elimination of corrosion barrier effect via deformation contributes to the further increase of corrosion rate compared to the T6 series.Additionally,Mg-Zn-Ca-xNi(0≤x≤5)alloys exhibit tunable ultimate tensile strengths ranging from~190 to~237 MPa,depending on their specific composition.The adjustable corrosion rate and mechanical properties render the Mg-Zn-Ca-x Ni(0≤x≤5)alloys suitable for fracturing materials.展开更多
Prepulse combined hydraulic fracturing facilitates the development of fracture networks by integrating prepulse hydraulic loading with conventional hydraulic fracturing.The formation mechanisms of fracture networks be...Prepulse combined hydraulic fracturing facilitates the development of fracture networks by integrating prepulse hydraulic loading with conventional hydraulic fracturing.The formation mechanisms of fracture networks between hydraulic and pre-existing fractures under different prepulse loading parameters remain unclear.This research investigates the impact of prepulse loading parameters,including the prepulse loading number ratio(C),prepulse loading stress ratio(S),and prepulse loading frequency(f),on the formation of fracture networks between hydraulic and pre-existing fractures,using both experimental and numerical methods.The results suggest that low prepulse loading stress ratios and high prepulse loading number ratios are advantageous loading modes.Multiple hydraulic fractures are generated in the specimen under the advantageous loading modes,facilitating the development of a complex fracture network.Fatigue damage occurs in the specimen at the prepulse loading stage.The high water pressure at the secondary conventional hydraulic fracturing promotes the growth of hydraulic fractures along the damage zones.This allows the hydraulic fractures to propagate deeply and interact with pre-existing fractures.Under advantageous loading conditions,multiple hydraulic fractures can extend to pre-existing fractures,and these hydraulic fractures penetrate or propagate along pre-existing fractures.Especially when the approach angle is large,the damage range in the specimen during the prepulse loading stage increases,resulting in the formation of more hydraulic fractures.展开更多
Through a case analysis,this study examines the spatiotemporal evolution of microseismic(MS)events,energy characteristics,volumetric features,and fracture network development in surface well hydraulic fracturing.A tot...Through a case analysis,this study examines the spatiotemporal evolution of microseismic(MS)events,energy characteristics,volumetric features,and fracture network development in surface well hydraulic fracturing.A total of 349 MS events were analyzed across different fracturing sections,revealing significant heterogeneity in fracture propagation.Energy scanning results showed that cumulative energy values ranged from 240 to 1060 J across the sections,indicating notable differences.Stimulated reservoir volume(SRV)analysis demonstrated well-developed fracture networks in certain sections,with a total SRV exceeding 1540000 m^(3).The hydraulic fracture network analysis revealed that during the midfracturing stage,the density and spatial extent of MS events significantly increased,indicating rapid fracture propagation and the formation of complex networks.In the later stage,the number of secondary fractures near fracture edges decreased,and the fracture network stabilized.By comparing the branching index,fracture length,width,height,and SRV values across different fracturing sections,Sections No.1 and No.8 showed the best performance,with high MS event densities,extensive fracture networks,and significant energy release.However,Sections No.4 and No.5 exhibited sparse MS activity and poor fracture connectivity,indicating suboptimal stimulation effectiveness.展开更多
To more accurately describe the coal damage and fracture evolution law during liquid nitrogen(LN_(2))fracturing under true triaxial stress,a thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-damage(THMD)coupling model for LN_(2) fracturin...To more accurately describe the coal damage and fracture evolution law during liquid nitrogen(LN_(2))fracturing under true triaxial stress,a thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-damage(THMD)coupling model for LN_(2) fracturing coal was developed,considering the coal heterogeneity and thermophysical parameters of nitrogen.The accuracy and applicability of model were verified by comparing with LN_(2) injection pre-cooling and fracturing experimental data.The effects of different pre-cooling times and horizontal stress ratios on coal damage evolution,permeability,temperature distribution,and fracture characteristics were analyzed.The results show that the permeability and damage of the coal increase exponentially,while the temperature decreases exponentially during the fracturing process.As the pre-cooling time increases,the damage range of the coal expands,and the fracture propagation becomes more pronounced.The initiation pressure and rupture pressure decrease and tend to stabilize with longer precooling times.As the horizontal stress ratio increases,fractures preferentially extend along the direction of maximum horizontal principal stress,leading to a significant decrease in both initiation and rupture pressures.At a horizontal stress ratio of 3,the initiation pressure drops by 48.07%,and the rupture pressure decreases by 41.36%.The results provide a theoretical basis for optimizing LN_(2) fracturing techniques and improving coal seam modification.展开更多
Discrete fracture network(DFN)commonly existing in natural rock masses plays an important role in geological complexity which can influence rock fracturing behaviour during fluid injection.This paper simulated the hyd...Discrete fracture network(DFN)commonly existing in natural rock masses plays an important role in geological complexity which can influence rock fracturing behaviour during fluid injection.This paper simulated the hydraulic fracturing process in lab-scale coal samples with DFNs and the induced seismic activities by the discrete element method(DEM).The effects of DFNs on hydraulic fracturing,induced seismicity and elastic property changes have been concluded.Denser DFNs can comprehensively decrease the peak injection pressure and injection duration.The proportion of strong seismic events increases first and then decreases with increasing DFN density.In addition,the relative modulus of the rock mass is derived innovatively from breakdown pressure,breakdown fracture length and the related initiation time.Increasing DFN densities among large(35–60 degrees)and small(0–30 degrees)fracture dip angles show opposite evolution trends in relative modulus.The transitional point(dip angle)for the opposite trends is also proportionally affected by the friction angle of the rock mass.The modelling results have much practical meaning to infer the density and geometry of pre-existing fractures and the elastic property of rock mass in the field,simply based on the hydraulic fracturing and induced seismicity monitoring data.展开更多
Supercritical CO_(2)(SC-CO_(2))fracturing stands out a promising waterless stimulation technique in the development of unconventional resources.While numerous studies have delved into the inducedfracture mechanism of ...Supercritical CO_(2)(SC-CO_(2))fracturing stands out a promising waterless stimulation technique in the development of unconventional resources.While numerous studies have delved into the inducedfracture mechanism of SC-CO_(2),the small scale of rock samples and synthetic materials used in many studies have limited a comprehensive understanding of fracture propagation in unconventional formations.In this study,cubic tight sandstone samples with dimensions of 300 mm were employed to conduct SC-CO_(2)fractu ring experiments under true-triaxial stre ss conditions.The spatial morphology and quantitative attributes of fracture induced by water and SC-CO_(2)fracturing were compared,while the impact of in-situ stress on fracture propagation was also investigated.The results indicate that the SCCO_(2)fracturing takes approximately ten times longer than water fracturing.Furthermore,under identical stress condition,the breakdown pressure(BP)for SC-CO_(2)fracturing is nearly 25%lower than that for water fracturing.A quantitative analysis of fracture morphology reveals that water fracturing typically produces relatively simple fracture pattern,with the primary fracture distribution predominantly controlled by bedding planes.In contrast,SC-CO_(2)fracturing results in a more complex fracture morphology.As the differential of horizontal principal stress increases,the BP for SC-CO_(2)fractured rock exhibits a downward trend,and the induced fracture morphology becomes more simplified.Moreover,the presence of abnormal in-situ stress leads to a further increase in the BP for SC-CO_(2)fracturing,simultaneously enhancing the development of a more conductive fracture network.These findings provide critical insights into the efficiency and behavior of SC-CO_(2)fracturing in comparison to traditional water-based fracturing,offering valuable implication for its potential applications in unconventional reservoirs.展开更多
基金the financial support from National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52474029)Strategic and Applied Scientific Research Project of PetroChina Company Limited(2023ZZ18,2023ZZ18YJ04).
文摘In the development of coalbed methane(CBM)reservoirs using multistage fractured horizontal wells,there often exist areas that are either repeatedly stimulated or completely unstimulated between fracturing stages,leading to suboptimal reservoir performance.Currently,there is no well-established method for accurately evaluating the effectiveness of such stimulation.This study introduces,for the first time,the concept of the Fracture Network Bridging Coefficient(FNBC)as a novel metric to assess stimulation performance.By quantitatively coupling the proportions of unstimulated and overstimulated volumes,the FNBC effectively characterizes the connectivity and efficiency of the fracture network.A background grid calibration method is developed to quantify the stage-controlled volume,effectively stimulated volume,unstimulated volume,and repeatedly stimulated volume among different stages of horizontal wells.Furthermore,an optimization model is constructed by taking the FNBC as the objective function and the fracturing injection rate and fluid volume as optimization variables.The Simultaneous Perturbation Stochastic Approximation(SPSA)algorithm is employed to iteratively perturb and optimize these variables,progressively improving the FNBC until the optimal displacement rate and fluid volume corresponding to the maximum FNBC are obtained.Field application in a typical CBM multistage fractured horizontal well in China demonstrates that the FNBC increased from 0.358 to 0.539(a 50.6% improvement),with the injection rate rising from 16 m^(3)/min to 24 m^(3)/min and the average fluid volume per stage increasing from 2490 m^(3) to 3192 m^(3),significantly enhancing the stimulation effectiveness.This research provides theoretical support for designing high-efficiency stimulation strategies in unconventional reservoirs under dynamic limits.
基金National Key Research and Development Program of China,2020YFA0711800,Ting LiuNational Natural Science Foundation of China,52274241,Ting Liu,52474261,Ting Liu+2 种基金Basic Research Program of Jiangsu,BK20240207,Ting Liuthe Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2023KYJD1007)China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2022M722672).
文摘To elucidate the dynamic characteristics of in-situ methane deflagration in coalbed methane wellbores and its mechanisms for fracturing coal rock,this study first developed a simulation experimental system specifically designed for methane in-situ deflagration fracturing.This experimental system,which is capable of withstanding pressures up to 150 MPa and meanwhile applying axial and confining pressures of up to 50 MPa to rock cores,enables the coupled simulation on methane deflagration and rock core fracturing processes.With the aid of this experimental system,physical simulation experiments on in-situ methane deflagration fracturing were conducted,and the following findings were obtained.Methane deflagration loads in enclosed wellbores exhibit characteristics of multi-level pulsed oscillation.With the rise of initial gas pressure,the peak deflagration load increases approximately linearly,with the pressure amplification factor spanning from 23.14 to 31.10,and its peak loading rate grows exponentially.Accordingly,the fracture volume and fracture porosity augment.To be specific,when the initial gas pressure rises from 0.6 to 2.4 MPa,the fracture volume and fracture porosity augment by factors of 14.0 and 8.73,respectively.The fractal dimension of spatial distribution of fractures also increases with the rise of deflagration load,indicating that a higher deflagration load conduces to the development of a larger and more complex fracture network.Methane deflagration fracturing is characterized as a composite fracture mode that involves the impact of strong stress waves and the driving force of high-pressure fluids.The primary factors influencing damage to coal-rock include the high-stress impact in the initial stage of deflagration,the fluid pressure driving effect in the middle stage,and the thermal shock resulting from high temperatures in the later stage.
文摘With the increasing demand for energy,traditional oil resources are facing depletion and insufficient supply.Many countries are rapidly turning to the development of unconventional oil and gas resources.Among them,shale oil and gas reservoirs have become the focus of unconventional oil and gas resources exploration and development.Based on the characteristics of shale oil and gas reservoirs,supercritical CO_(2) fracturing is more conducive to improving oil recovery than other fracturing technologies.In this paper,the mechanism of fracture initiation and propagation of supercritical CO_(2) in shale is analyzed,including viscosity effect,surface tension effect,permeation diffusion effect of supercritical CO_(2),and dissolution-adsorption effect between CO_(2) and shale.The effects of natural factors,such as shale properties,bedding plane and natural fractures,and controllable factors,proppant,temperature,pressure,CO_(2) concentration and injection rate on fracture initiation and propagation are clarified.The methods of supercritical CO_(2) fracturing process,thickener and proppant optimization to improve the efficiency of supercritical CO_(2) fracturing are discussed.In addition,some new technologies of supercritical CO_(2) fracturing are introduced.The challenges and prospects in the current research are also summarized.For example,supercritical CO_(2) is prone to filtration when passing through porous media,and it is difficult to form a stable flow state.Therefore,in order to achieve stable fracturing fluid suspension and effectively support fractu res,it is urge nt to explo re new fracturing fluid additives or improve fracturing fluid formulations combined with the research of new proppants.This paper is of great significance for understanding the behavior mechanism of supercritical CO_(2) in shale and optimizing fracturing technology.
基金support from China National Natural Science Foundation (11672333)。
文摘The effectiveness of horizontal well multi-stage and multi-cluster fracturing in the fractured soft coal seam roof for coalbed methane(CBM) extraction has been demonstrated.This study focuses on the geological characteristics of the No.5 and No.11 coal seams in the Hancheng Block,Ordos Basin,China.A multi-functional,variable-size rock sample mold capable of securing the wellbore was developed to simulate layered formations comprising strata of varying lithology and thicknesses.A novel segmented fracturing simulation method based on an expandable pipe plugging technique is proposed.Large-scale true triaxial experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of horizontal wellbore location,perforation strategy,roof lithology,and vertical stress difference on fracture propagation,hydraulic energy variation,and the stimulated reservoir volume in horizontal wells targeting the soft coal seam roof.The results indicate that bilateral downward perforation with a phase angle of 120° optimizes hydraulic energy conservation,reduces operational costs,enhances fracture formation,and prevents fracturing failure caused by coal powder generation and migration.This perforation mode is thus considered optimal for coal seam roof fracturing.When the roof consists of sandstone,each perforation cluster tends to initiate a single dominant fracture with a regular geometry.In contrast,hydraulic fractures formed in mudstone roofs display diverse morphology.Due to its high strength,the sandstone roof requires significantly higher pressure for crack initiation and propagation,whereas the mudstone roof,with its strong water sensitivity,exhibits lower fracturing pressures.To mitigate inter-cluster interference,cluster spacing in mudstone roofs should be greater than that in sandstone roofs.Horizontal wellbore placement critically influences fracturing effectiveness.For indirect fracturing in sandstone roofs,an optimal position is 25 mm away from the lithological interface.In contrast,the optimal location for indirect fracturing in mudstone roofs is directly at the lithological interface with the coal seam.Higher vertical stress coefficients lead to increased fractu ring pressures and promote vertical,layer-penetrating fractures.A coefficient of 0.5 is identified as optimal for achieving effective indirect fracturing.This study provides valuable insights for the design and optimization of staged fracturing in horizontal wells targeting crushed soft coal seam roofs.
基金supported in part by the National Key Research and Development Project of China(No.2022YFC3004602)in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52121003 and 52342403).
文摘Multistage fracturing technology has been used to enhance tight hydrocarbon resource recovery.Determining the proper well spacing and fracturing strategy is crucial for generating a complex fracture network that facilitates oil and gas flow in reservoirs.The stress-shadow effect that occurs between multiple wells significantly affects the development of fracture networks in reservoirs.However,the quantification of the stress-shadow effect and its influence on fracture networks has not been satisfactorily resolved because of the difficulties in detecting and identifying fracture propagation and reorientation in reservoirs.In this study,based on the geological information from the Shengli oilfield,we applied a hybrid finite element-discrete element method to analyze engineering-scale three-dimensional fracture propagation and reorientation by altering well spacings and fracturing strategies.The results indicate that the fracturing area generated by the synchronous fracturing scheme is much smaller than those generated by the sequential and alternative schemes.An alternative hydrofracturing scheme is optimal with respect to fracturing area.The stress-blind area was defined to quantify the mechanical disturbance between adjacent wells.Our study improves the understanding of the effect of fracturing schemes on fracture networks and the impact of independent factors contributing to stress-shadow effects.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52104046).
文摘Multi-stage and multi-cluster fracturing(MMF)is a crucial technology in unconventional oil and gas development,aiming to enhance production by creating extensive fracture networks.However,achieving uniform expansion of multi-cluster hydraulic fractures(HFs)in MMF remains a significant challenge.Field practice has shown that the use of temporary plugging and diversion fracturing(TPDF)can promote the balanced expansion of multi-cluster HFs.This study conducted TPDF experiments using a true triaxial fracturing simulation system setting a horizontal well completion with multi-cluster jetting perforations to investigate the equilibrium initiation and extension of multi-cluster fractures.The influence of key parameters,including cluster spacing,fracturing fluid viscosity,differential stress,and fracturing fluid injection rate,on fracture initiation and propagation was systematically examined.The results indicate that while close-spaced multi-cluster fracturing significantly increases the number of HFs,it also leads to uneven extension of HFs in their propagation.In contrast,TPDF demonstrates effectiveness in mitigating uneven HF extension,increasing the number of HFs,and creating a larger stimulated reservoir volume,ultimately leading to improved oil and gas well productivity.Moreover,under conditions of high differential stress,the differential stress within the formation exerts a stronger guiding effect in HFs,which are more closely aligned with the minimum principal stress.Low-viscosity fluids facilitate rapid and extensive fracture propagation within the rock formation.High-volume fluid injection,on the other hand,more comprehensively fills the formation.Therefore,employing lowviscosity and high-volume fracturing is advantageous for the initiation and extension of multi-cluster HFs.
基金Supported by the Basic Science Center Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52288101).
文摘Based on continuum-discontinuum element method,the numerical simulation of fracture propagation during deflagration-hydraulic composite fracturing was constructed by considering deflagration stress impact induced fracture creation,deflagrating gas driven fracture propagation,and hydraulic fracture propagation,exploring the effects of in-situ stress difference,deflagration peak pressure,deflagration pressurization rate,hydraulic fracturing displacement and hydraulic fracturing fluid viscosity on fracture propagation in deflagration-hydraulic composite fracturing.The deflagration-hydraulic composite fracturing combines the advantages of deflagration fracturing in creating complex fractures near wells and the deep penetration of hydraulic fracturing at the far-field region,which can form multiple deep penetrating long fractures with better stimulation effects.With the increase of in-situ stress difference,the stimulated area of deflagration-hydraulic composite fracturing is reduced,and the deflagration-hydraulic composite fracturing is more suitable for reservoirs with small in-situ stress difference.Higher peak pressure and pressurization rate are conducive to increasing the maximum fracture length and burst degree of the deflagration fractures,which in turn increases the stimulated area of deflagration-hydraulic composite fracturing and improves the stimulation effect.Increasing the displacement and viscosity of hydraulic fracturing fluid can enhance the net pressure within the fractures,activate the deflagration fractures,increase the turning radius of the fractures,generate more long fractures,and effectively increase the stimulated reservoir area.The stimulated reservoir area is not completely positively correlated with the hydraulic fracturing displacement and fracturing fluid viscosity,and there is a critical value.When the critical value is exceeded,the stimulated area decreases.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42430713 and 42125701)Innovation Program of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission(Grant No.2023ZKZD26)。
文摘Deep geological repository is typically situated at depths ranging from several hundred to 1000 m below ground,making bentonite engineered barrier potentially vulnerable to high water pressure and even inducing hydraulic fracturing.This study conducted injection tests on compacted GMZ(Gaomiaozi)bentonite with a self-developed visualization set-up.The objective was to unveil the roles of dry density,water content,and pressurization rate in hydraulic fracturing from the perspective of fracturing macromorphological dynamics and breakthrough characteristics.Moreover,the relationships between breakthrough characteristics and microstructure were examined by MIP(mercury intrusion porosimetry)analysis.Results showed that the fracturing dynamics were characterized by three stages:hydration,cracking,and fracturing stages.Compared to water content and pressurization rate,dry density exerted more pronounced effects on these stages.Increasing dry density can lead to an expansion of circular hydration zone,a more complex cracking network,and a change in fracturing patterns from long and clear to short and fuzzy.In terms of breakthrough characteristics,the breakthrough pressure was positively correlated with dry density and negatively correlated with water content.Interestingly,there is a good and unique logarithmic correlation between the breakthrough pressure and the ratio eM/em of inter-aggregate void ratio and intra-aggregate void ratio,regardless of dry density and water content.Within a certain range(i.e.200-50 kPa/min),breakthrough pressure showed slight dependency on pressurization rate.Nevertheless,an extremely low pressurization rate of 20 kPa/min caused a transition for the specimen from quasi-brittle to plastic state owning to more water infiltration,thereby hindering fracture initiation and propagation.
基金open fund of Hubei Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Drilling and Production Engineering(Yangtze University)YQZC202404.
文摘Tight gas reservoirs are often characterized by pronounced heterogeneity and poor continuity,resulting in wide variability in production enhancement and net present value(NPV)for different geological parameter combinations(see e.g.,the Ordos Basin).The conditions governing geological adaptability remain insufficiently defined.To address these challenges,this study integrates large-volume hydraulic fracturing,numerical production simulation,and economic evaluation to elucidate the mechanisms by which large-scale fracturing enhances fracture parameters in tight gas formations.The analysis reveals that,for identical proppant and fluid volumes,increasing the fracturing injection rate leads to longer and taller fractures.Over the same production period,this results in a more rapid decline in average reservoir pressure and a higher cumulative gas output.Through simulations conducted at varying injection rates across 11 production wells in the target block,the study demonstrates that large-volume fracturing can effectively connect otherwise isolated tight gas pockets,enlarge the drainage area,and substantially boost individual well production.A comparative assessment of simulation outcomes and economic performance shows that large-volume fracturing significantly improves gas recovery and NPV compared to conventional smaller-scale treatments.The study identifies the key geological indicators that influence differences in production enhancement and economic returns between small-and large-volume fracturing strategies.Based on these findings,a decision matrix is developed(utilizing a trapezoidal membership function)to evaluate the geological suitability of large-volume fracturing in tight gas reservoirs.This matrix is applied to the 11 target wells,with the evaluation results aligning well with those obtained from numerical simulations.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foun-dation of China(52421002,U24B6001,52204019,and 52192624)the Open Foundation of the Shanxi Key Laboratory of Carbon Dioxide Sequestration and Enhanced Oil Recovery。
文摘Medium-high maturity continental shale oil is one of the hydrocarbon resources with the most potential for successful development in China.Nevertheless,the unique geological conditions of a multi-lithologic superposition shield the vertical propagation of hydraulic fractures and limit the longitudinal reconstruction in reservoirs,posing a great challenge for large-scale volumetric fracturing.Radial wellbore crosslayer fracturing,which transforms the interaction between the hydraulic fractures and lithologic interface into longitudinal multilayer competitive initiation,could provide a potential solution for this engineering challenge.To determine the longitudinal propagation behaviors of fractures guided by radial wellbores,true triaxial fracturing experiments were performed on multilayer shale-sandstone samples,with a focus on the injection pressure response,fracture morphology,and cross-layer pattern.The effects of the radial borehole length L,vertical stress difference K_(v),injection rate Q,and viscosity m of the fracturing fluid were analyzed.The results indicate that radial wellbores can greatly facilitate fracture initiation and cross-layer propagation.Unlike conventional hydraulic fracturing,there are two distinct fracture propagation patterns in radial wellbore fracturing:cross-layering and skip-layering.The fracture height guided by a radial wellbore is positively correlated with K_(v),Q,and m.Increasing these parameters causes a shift in the fracture initiation from a single root to an asynchronous root/toe end and can improve the cross-layer propagation capacity.Critical parameter thresholds exist for fracture propagation through and across interlayers under the guidance of radial boreholes.A parameter combination of critical cross-layering/skip-layering or alternating displacement/viscosity is recommended to simultaneously improve the fracture height and degree of lateral activation.The degree of correlation of different parameters with the vertical fracture height can be written as L>Q/m>K_(v).Increasing the radial wellbore length can effectively facilitate fracture cross-/skip-layer propagation and reduce the critical threshold of injection parameters,which is conducive to maximizing the stimulated reservoir volume.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42072193,42230804,Xianbo Su)the National Overseas Top Talents Program of China(JXRSB02001,Zhenjiang You).
文摘Coal seams in China are typically characterized by high coal seam gas content and low permeability,posing challenges for efficient coal seam gas extraction.However,achieving successful boreholes,especially in soft coal formations,remains a challenge.The mechanisms underlying permeability improvement in different coal structures need further exploration.Therefore,this paper is focused on the fundamental principles of permeability improvement in soft coal through hydraulic punching,and in hard coal via hydraulic jet fracturing.Firstly,borehole instability results from a dynamic interplay of four factors:in situ stress,coal structure,mechanical properties of coal with fluid,and drilling technology.While borehole instability is inevitable,enhancing drilling tools,drilling media,and drilling processes can mitigate risks associated with buried and stuck drill pipes by ensuring effective discharge of drill cuttings through critical flow velocity and displacement.Secondly,permeability improvement in soft coal through hydraulic punching aims at pressure relief and capacity increase,while in hard coal,hydraulic jet fracturing induces crack formation within the coal seam.Finally,this study illustrates the dynamics of the granular arch in soft coal after hydraulic punching,shedding light on the complex processes involved.
基金the Young Scientists Fund of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52204063)the Key Laboratory of Shale Gas Exploration,Ministry of Natural Resources(Chongqing Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources),Chongqing,China(KLSGE-202202).
文摘This paper introduces a novel approach combining radial borehole fracturing with Water-Alternating-Gas(WAG)injection,enabling simultaneous WAG injection and shale oil production in a single vertical well.A numerical reservoir model incorporating the modified exponential non-Darcy law,stress sensitivity,and diffusion is established.The spatial distribution of permeability reduction shows that stress sensitivity enhances the non-Darcy effect,with apparent permeability decreasing to 0-92.1%of the initial value,highlighting the importance of maintaining reservoir pressure.Continuous CO_(2) flooding leads to early gas breakthrough,while continuous water flooding has less displacement efficiency.A 30%water-to-gas injection time ratio improves oil production and delays gas breakthrough compared to continuous CO_(2) injection.Optimal conditions for effective recovery are identified as an initial production period of 100 d and a well vertical spacing of 30 m.This study compares the production capacity of WAG operations under radial borehole fracturing and horizontal well fracturing.When the number of wells is two for both cases,the production capacity of radial borehole fracturing is comparable to that of five-stage horizontal well fracturing,indicating that radial borehole fracturing can serve as an alternative or supplement to horizontal well fracturing when the reservoir volume is limited.This study offers a new method and theoretical basis for the efficient development of shale oil.
基金supported by China National Petroleum Corporation(NO:2023ZZ21)。
文摘Previous studies on post-fracturing flowback fluids focus primarily on their cleaning and discharge,high salinity sources,and damage to gas reservoirs.An analysis of the geochemical characteristics of these fluids helps develop an improved understanding of the preservation condition and fracturing performance of shale gas reservoirs.This study analyzed the ion,total dissolved solids(TDS)concentration,and stable isotope characteristics of post-fracturing flowback fluids from five horizontal shale gas wells in the Luzhou area.Among these wells,two were subjected to hydraulic fracturing using fresh water,and three using reused flowback fluids.The results indicate that with increasing flowback time,the post-fracturing flowback fluids from wells subjected to hydraulic fracturing using fresh water showed increased TDS concentration,heavier stable isotopes,and the presence of new ion components.These results indicate the mixing of a large volume of formation water into the fluids.In contrast,postfracturing flowback fluids from wells subjected to hydraulic fracturing using reused flowback fluids exhibited a slow increase in the TDS concentration and stable isotopes.As the flowback time increased,the trends in TDS concentration and stable isotope ratios of post-fracturing flowback fluids from shale gas wells subjected to fracturing using fresh water evolved toward those of post-fracturing flowback fluids from shale gas wells undergoing fracturing using reused flowback fluids.Measurements show that post-fracturing flowback fluids from both well types exhibited roughly the same properties after one year of shale gas production.This result suggests that post-fracturing flowback fluids from wells using reused flowback fluids progressively took on the formation water properties.In particular,postfracturing flowback fluids from well Lu 211—a well subjected to hydraulic fracturing using fresh water—showed a low sodium-chloride coefficient,a low coefficient of variation,high TDS concentration,heavy stable isotopes,and a high nitrate ion concentration.This indicates a formation water source of the fluids and the poor sealing of the formation water,which hinders shale gas enrichment.The quantification of the fracturing fluid and formation water contents in the post-fracturing flowback fluids reveals that higher TDS concentration and heavier stable isotopes in the fluids appear to correspond to higher formation water content and lower fracturing fluid content,as well as higher fracturing performance.A systematic analysis of the geochemical characteristics and flowback pattern of fracturing fluids indirectly provides insights into the flow path of formation water,water body mixing,rock-water interactions,and fluid sources.Besides,the analysis offers a new perspective for understanding the preservation conditions and fracturing performance of shale gas reservoirs.
基金Supported by the National Science and Technology Major Project(2016ZX05023)。
文摘By systematically summarizing horizontal well fracturing technology abroad for shale oil and gas reservoirs since the “13th Five-Year Plan”, this article elaborates new horizontal well fracturing features in 3D development of stacked shale reservoirs, small well spacing and dense well pattern, horizontal well re-fracturing, fracturing parameters optimization and cost control. In light of requirements on horizontal well fracturing technology in China, we have summarized the technological progress in simulation of multi-fracture propagation, horizontal well frac-design, electric-drive fracturing equipment, soluble tools and low-cost downhole materials and factory-like operation. On this basis, combined with the demand analysis of horizontal well fracturing technology in the “14th Five-Year Plan” for unconventional shale oil and gas, we suggest strengthening the research and development in the following 7 aspects:(1) geology-engineering integration;(2) basic theory and design optimization of fracturing for shale oil and gas reservoirs;(3) development of high-power electric-drive fracturing equipment;(4) fracturing tool and supporting equipment for long horizontal section;(5) horizontal well flexible-sidetracking drilling technology for tapping remaining oil;(6) post-frac workover technology for long horizontal well;(7) intelligent fracturing technology.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program(No.2022YFE0122000)National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos.52234009,52274383,52222409,and 52201113。
文摘Two sets of alloys,Mg-Zn-Ca-xNi(0≤x≤5),have been developed with tunable corrosion and mechanical properties,optimized for fracturing materials.High-zinc artificial aged(T6)Mg-12Zn-0.5Ca-x Ni(0≤x≤5)series,featuring a straightforward preparation method and the potential for manufacturing large-scale components,exhibit notable corrosion rates up to 29 mg cm^(-2)h^(-1)at 25℃ and 643 mg cm^(-2)h^(-1)at 93℃.The high corrosion rate is primary due to the Ni–containing second phases,which intensify the galvanic corrosion that overwhelms their corrosion barrier effect.Low-zinc rolled Mg-1.5Zn-0.2Ca-x Ni(0≤x≤5)series,characterizing excellent deformability with an elongation to failure of~26%,present accelerated corrosion rates up to 34 mg cm^(-2)h^(-1)at 25℃ and 942 mg cm^(-2)h^(-1)at 93℃.The elimination of corrosion barrier effect via deformation contributes to the further increase of corrosion rate compared to the T6 series.Additionally,Mg-Zn-Ca-xNi(0≤x≤5)alloys exhibit tunable ultimate tensile strengths ranging from~190 to~237 MPa,depending on their specific composition.The adjustable corrosion rate and mechanical properties render the Mg-Zn-Ca-x Ni(0≤x≤5)alloys suitable for fracturing materials.
基金financially supported by,the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.2023QN1064)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant No.2023M733772)Jiangsu Funding Program for Excellent Postdoctoral Talent(Grant No.2023ZB847)。
文摘Prepulse combined hydraulic fracturing facilitates the development of fracture networks by integrating prepulse hydraulic loading with conventional hydraulic fracturing.The formation mechanisms of fracture networks between hydraulic and pre-existing fractures under different prepulse loading parameters remain unclear.This research investigates the impact of prepulse loading parameters,including the prepulse loading number ratio(C),prepulse loading stress ratio(S),and prepulse loading frequency(f),on the formation of fracture networks between hydraulic and pre-existing fractures,using both experimental and numerical methods.The results suggest that low prepulse loading stress ratios and high prepulse loading number ratios are advantageous loading modes.Multiple hydraulic fractures are generated in the specimen under the advantageous loading modes,facilitating the development of a complex fracture network.Fatigue damage occurs in the specimen at the prepulse loading stage.The high water pressure at the secondary conventional hydraulic fracturing promotes the growth of hydraulic fractures along the damage zones.This allows the hydraulic fractures to propagate deeply and interact with pre-existing fractures.Under advantageous loading conditions,multiple hydraulic fractures can extend to pre-existing fractures,and these hydraulic fractures penetrate or propagate along pre-existing fractures.Especially when the approach angle is large,the damage range in the specimen during the prepulse loading stage increases,resulting in the formation of more hydraulic fractures.
基金supported by Yunlong Lake Laboratory of Deep Underground Science and Engineering Project(No.104024008)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.52274241 and 52474261)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(No.BK20240207).
文摘Through a case analysis,this study examines the spatiotemporal evolution of microseismic(MS)events,energy characteristics,volumetric features,and fracture network development in surface well hydraulic fracturing.A total of 349 MS events were analyzed across different fracturing sections,revealing significant heterogeneity in fracture propagation.Energy scanning results showed that cumulative energy values ranged from 240 to 1060 J across the sections,indicating notable differences.Stimulated reservoir volume(SRV)analysis demonstrated well-developed fracture networks in certain sections,with a total SRV exceeding 1540000 m^(3).The hydraulic fracture network analysis revealed that during the midfracturing stage,the density and spatial extent of MS events significantly increased,indicating rapid fracture propagation and the formation of complex networks.In the later stage,the number of secondary fractures near fracture edges decreased,and the fracture network stabilized.By comparing the branching index,fracture length,width,height,and SRV values across different fracturing sections,Sections No.1 and No.8 showed the best performance,with high MS event densities,extensive fracture networks,and significant energy release.However,Sections No.4 and No.5 exhibited sparse MS activity and poor fracture connectivity,indicating suboptimal stimulation effectiveness.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.51874236 and 52174207)Shaanxi Science and Technology Innovation Team(No.2022TD02)Henan University of Science and Technology PhD Funded Projects(No.B2025-9)。
文摘To more accurately describe the coal damage and fracture evolution law during liquid nitrogen(LN_(2))fracturing under true triaxial stress,a thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-damage(THMD)coupling model for LN_(2) fracturing coal was developed,considering the coal heterogeneity and thermophysical parameters of nitrogen.The accuracy and applicability of model were verified by comparing with LN_(2) injection pre-cooling and fracturing experimental data.The effects of different pre-cooling times and horizontal stress ratios on coal damage evolution,permeability,temperature distribution,and fracture characteristics were analyzed.The results show that the permeability and damage of the coal increase exponentially,while the temperature decreases exponentially during the fracturing process.As the pre-cooling time increases,the damage range of the coal expands,and the fracture propagation becomes more pronounced.The initiation pressure and rupture pressure decrease and tend to stabilize with longer precooling times.As the horizontal stress ratio increases,fractures preferentially extend along the direction of maximum horizontal principal stress,leading to a significant decrease in both initiation and rupture pressures.At a horizontal stress ratio of 3,the initiation pressure drops by 48.07%,and the rupture pressure decreases by 41.36%.The results provide a theoretical basis for optimizing LN_(2) fracturing techniques and improving coal seam modification.
基金Australian Research Council Linkage Program(LP200301404)for sponsoring this researchthe financial support provided by the State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection(Chengdu University of Technology,SKLGP2021K002)National Natural Science Foundation of China(52374101,32111530138).
文摘Discrete fracture network(DFN)commonly existing in natural rock masses plays an important role in geological complexity which can influence rock fracturing behaviour during fluid injection.This paper simulated the hydraulic fracturing process in lab-scale coal samples with DFNs and the induced seismic activities by the discrete element method(DEM).The effects of DFNs on hydraulic fracturing,induced seismicity and elastic property changes have been concluded.Denser DFNs can comprehensively decrease the peak injection pressure and injection duration.The proportion of strong seismic events increases first and then decreases with increasing DFN density.In addition,the relative modulus of the rock mass is derived innovatively from breakdown pressure,breakdown fracture length and the related initiation time.Increasing DFN densities among large(35–60 degrees)and small(0–30 degrees)fracture dip angles show opposite evolution trends in relative modulus.The transitional point(dip angle)for the opposite trends is also proportionally affected by the friction angle of the rock mass.The modelling results have much practical meaning to infer the density and geometry of pre-existing fractures and the elastic property of rock mass in the field,simply based on the hydraulic fracturing and induced seismicity monitoring data.
基金funded by the National Natural Scientific Foundation of China(Nos.52304008,52404038,52474043)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(No.2023MD734223)+1 种基金the Key Laboratory of Well Stability and Fluid&Rock Mechanics in Oil and Gas Reservoir of Shaanxi Province(No.23JS047)the Youth Talent Lifting Program of Xi'an Science and Technology Association(No.959202413078)。
文摘Supercritical CO_(2)(SC-CO_(2))fracturing stands out a promising waterless stimulation technique in the development of unconventional resources.While numerous studies have delved into the inducedfracture mechanism of SC-CO_(2),the small scale of rock samples and synthetic materials used in many studies have limited a comprehensive understanding of fracture propagation in unconventional formations.In this study,cubic tight sandstone samples with dimensions of 300 mm were employed to conduct SC-CO_(2)fractu ring experiments under true-triaxial stre ss conditions.The spatial morphology and quantitative attributes of fracture induced by water and SC-CO_(2)fracturing were compared,while the impact of in-situ stress on fracture propagation was also investigated.The results indicate that the SCCO_(2)fracturing takes approximately ten times longer than water fracturing.Furthermore,under identical stress condition,the breakdown pressure(BP)for SC-CO_(2)fracturing is nearly 25%lower than that for water fracturing.A quantitative analysis of fracture morphology reveals that water fracturing typically produces relatively simple fracture pattern,with the primary fracture distribution predominantly controlled by bedding planes.In contrast,SC-CO_(2)fracturing results in a more complex fracture morphology.As the differential of horizontal principal stress increases,the BP for SC-CO_(2)fractured rock exhibits a downward trend,and the induced fracture morphology becomes more simplified.Moreover,the presence of abnormal in-situ stress leads to a further increase in the BP for SC-CO_(2)fracturing,simultaneously enhancing the development of a more conductive fracture network.These findings provide critical insights into the efficiency and behavior of SC-CO_(2)fracturing in comparison to traditional water-based fracturing,offering valuable implication for its potential applications in unconventional reservoirs.