西南石油大学学报(自然科学版)

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The Effects of Crack Interaction in Multi-stage Horizontal Fracturing

LI Yongming1, CHEN Xiyu1, ZHAO Jinzhou1*, SHEN Feng2, QIAO Hongjun2   

  1. 1. State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation,Southwest Petroleum University,Chengdu,Sichuan 610500,China
    2. Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum(Group)Co. Ltd.,Xian,Shaanxi 710075,China
  • Online:2016-02-01 Published:2016-02-01

Abstract:

Multi-stage horizontal fracturing has been widely used in the field with the inevitable crack interaction. Crack
interaction is conducive to initiation and extension of fractures,which forms complex fracture network and improves reservoir
conductivity. However,crack interaction also has adverse effects on hydraulic fracturing resulting in poor stimulation. Based
on the theory of elasticity,mathematical models are established to study the effects of crack interaction in multiple cluster
fractures,from the aspects of initiation pressure,fracture width and the position of fracture. The study shows that it is hard
to get successful stimulation with serious crack interaction because the phenomenon such as change of fracture width resulting
from crack interaction. To get the relationship of cluster space,fracture height and crack interaction,a sensitivity analysis is
conducted. The result indicates that the cluster space should be reasonable to avoid the adverse effects of crack interaction. The
study result contributes to the optimization of the stimulation of multiple stages horizontal well.

Key words: crack interaction, induced stress field, initiation pressure, fracture width, multiple cluster stimulation

CLC Number: