On the initiation, propagation and reorientation of simultaneously-induced multiple hydraulic fractures

Abstract

This study aims to uncover the growth characteristics of simultaneously-induced multiple hydraulic fractures using the discrete element method. We evaluate the influences of in-situ states and operational parameters on the fracture trajectories. Results reveal that reservoir heterogeneity magnifies the stress-shadowing effect and causes severe interactions among fractures. Higher effective stress anisotropy offsets the stress-shadowing effect and force the fractures to propagate in the direction of maximum stress and results in relative long parallel fractures. Increasing the spacing can mitigate the stress-shadowing effect to some degree. Injection rate and fluid viscosity have a less significant influence on the interactions among fractures. © 2019 Elsevier Ltd