A new approach for flow simulation in complex hydraulic fracture morphology and its application:Fracture connection element method

Efficient flow simulation and optimization methods of hydraulic fracture morphology in unconventional reservoirs are effective ways to enhance oil/gas recovery.Based on the connection element method(CEM)and distribution of stimulated reservoir volume,the complex hydraulic fracture morphology was accurately described using heterogeneous node connection system.Then a new fracture connection element method(FCEM)for fluid flow in stimulated unconventional reservoirs with complex hydraulic fracture morphology was proposed.In the proposed FCEM,the arrangement of dense nodes in the stimulated area and sparse nodes in the unstimulated area ensures the calculation accuracy and efficiency.The key parameter,transmissibility,was also modified according to the strong heterogeneity of stimulated reservoirs.The finite difference and semi-analytical tracking were used to accurately solve the pressure and saturation distribution between nodes.The FCEM is validated by comparing with traditional numerical simulation method,and the results show that the bottom hole pressure simulated by the FCEM is consistent with the results from traditional numerical simulation method,and the matching rate is larger than 95%.The proposed FCEM was also used in the optimization of fracturing parameters by coupling the hydraulic fracture propagation method and intelligent optimization algorithm.The integrated intelligent optimization approach for multi-parameters,such as perforation number,perforation location,and displacement in hydraulic fracturing is proposed.The proposed approach was applied in a shale gas reservoir,and the result shows that the optimized perforation location and morphology distribution are related to the distribution of porosity/permeability.When the perforation location and displacement are optimized with the same fracture number,NPV increases by 70.58%,which greatly improves the economic benefits of unconventional reservoirs.This work provides a new way for flow simulation and optimization of hydraulic fracture morphology of multi-fractured horizontal wells in unconventional reservoirs.

A review of discrete modeling techniques for fracturing processes in discontinuous rock masses

The goal of this review paper is to provide a summary of selected discrete element and hybrid finitediscrete element modeling techniques that have emerged in the field of rock mechanics as simulation tools for fracturing processes in rocks and rock masses. The fundamental principles of each computer code are illustrated with particular emphasis on the approach specifically adopted to simulate fracture nucleation and propagation and to account for the presence of rock mass discontinuities. This description is accompanied by a brief review of application studies focusing on laboratory-scale models of rock failure processes and on the simulation of damage development around underground excavations.

Modeling rock failure using the numerical manifold method followed bythe discontinuous deformation analysis

A complete rock failure process usually involves opening/sliding of preexisting discontinuities as well as frac- turing in intact rock bridges to form persistent failure sur- faces and subsequent motions of the generated rock blocks. The recently developed numerical manifold method （NMM） has potential for modelling such a complete failure process. However, the NMM suffers one limitation, i.e., unexpected material domain area change occurs in rotation modelling. This problem can not be easily solved because the rigid body rotation is not represented explicitly in the NMM. The discontinuous deformation analysis （DDA） is specially de- veloped for modelling discrete block systems. The rotation- induced material area change in the DDA modelling can be avoided conveniently because the rigid body rotation is represented in an explicit form. In this paper, a transition technique is proposed and implemented to convert a NMMmodelling to a DDA modelling so as to simulate a complete rock failure process entirely by means of the two methods, in which the NMM is adopted to model the early fracturing as well as the transition from continua to discontinua, while the DDA is adopted to model the subsequent motion of the generated rock blocks. Such a numerical approach also im- proves the simulation efficiency greatly as compared with a complete NMM modelling approach. The fracturing of a rock slab with pre-existing non-persistent joints located on a slope crest and the induced rockfall process are simulated. The validity of the modelling transition from the NMM to the DDA is verified and the applicability of the proposed nu- merical approach is investigated.

In-situ stress of coal reservoirs in the Zhengzhuang area of the southern Qinshui Basin and its effects on coalbed methane development

In-situ stress is a critical factor influencing the permeability of coal reservoirs and the production capacity of coalbed methane(CBM)wells.Accurate prediction of in-situ stress and investigation of its influence on coal reservoir permeability and production capacity are significant for CBM development.This study investigated the CBM development zone in the Zhengzhuang area of the Qinshui Basin.According to the low mechanical strength of coal reservoirs,this study derived a calculation model of the in-situ stress of coal reservoirs based on the multi-loop hydraulic fracturing method and analyzed the impacts of initial fractures on the calculated results.Moreover,by combining the data such as the in-situ stress,permeability,and drainage and recovery data of CBM wells,this study revealed the spatial distribution patterns of the current in-situ stress of the coal reservoirs and discussed the impacts of the insitu stress on the permeability and production capacity.The results are as follows.(1)Under given fracturing pressure,longer initial fractures are associated with higher calculated maximum horizontal principal stress values.Therefore,ignoring the effects of the initial fractures will cause the calculated values of the in-situ stress to be less than the actual values.(2)As the burial depth increases,the fracturing pressure,closure pressure,and the maximum and minimum horizontal principal stress of the coal reservoirs in the Zhengzhuang area constantly increase.The average gradients of the maximum and minimum horizontal principal stress are 3.17 MPa/100 m and 2.05 MPa/100 m,respectively.(3)Coal reservoir permeability is significantly controlled by the magnitude and state of the current in-situ stress.The coal reservoir permeability decreases exponentially with an increase in the effective principal stress.Moreover,a low lateral pressure coefficient(less than 1)is associated with minor horizontal compressive effects and high coal reservoir permeability.(4)Under similar conditions,such as resource endowments,CBM well capacity is higher in primary structural coal regions with moderate paleotectonic stress modification,low current in-situ stress,and lateral pressure coefficient of less than 1.

Efficient production optimization for naturally fractured reservoir using EDFM

Naturally fractured reservoirs make important contributions to global oil and gas reserves and production.The modeling and simulation of naturally fractured reservoirs are different from conventional reservoirs as the existence of natural fractures.To address the development optimization problem of naturally fractured reservoirs,we propose an optimization workflow by coupling the optimization methods with the embedded discrete fracture model(EDFM).Firstly,the effective and superior performance of the workflow is verified based on the conceptual model.The stochastic simplex approximate gradient(StoSAG)algorithm,the ensemble optimization(EnOpt)algorithm,and the particle swarm optimization(PSO)algorithm are implemented for the production optimization of naturally fractured reservoirs based on the improved versions of the Egg model and the PUNQ-S3 model.The results of the two cases demonstrate the effectiveness of this optimization workflow by finding the optimal well controls which yield the maximum net present value(NPV).Compared to the initial well control guess,the final NPV obtained from the production optimization of fractured reservoirs based on all three optimization algorithms is significantly enhanced.Compared with the optimization results of the PSO algorithm,StoSAG and EnOpt have significant advantages in terms of final NPV and computational efficiency.The results also show that fractures have a significant impact on reservoir production.The economic efficiency of fractured reservoir development can be significantly improved by the optimization workflow.

用动态云纹法测定岩石断裂失稳点

An effective Dynamic Moire method was presented to determine the critical time of crack instable propagation in rock dynamic fracture. Two pieces of grating were installed near the notch of Short Rod specimen to form the Moire fringes, then the COD versus time could be monitored from the movement of the Moire fringes, and finally the critical time could be determined from the velocity of COD. This method was also compared with another one.It could be concluded that the critical time determined by Dynamic Moire method corresponds with that of the Transmitted Wave method at the loading rates from 103 to 104 MPa·m(1/2)·S(-1).

Geostress Measurement for Deep-Buried Long Tunnel through Niba Mountain

In the geostress measurement for Niba Mountain on Ya＇an-Lugu Expressway, results of Kaiser effect tests combined with focal mechanism solution were compared with those obtained by hydraulic fracturing method, both of which are basically coincident. It is shown that the principal stress increases with burial depth ; the maximum principal stress is about 45 MPa, which is larger near fault zones because of stress concentration, and its direction ranges from N20°W to N75°W.

Numerical investigation of dual-porosity model with transient transfer function based on discrete-fracture model

Based on the characteristics of fractures in naturally fractured reservoir and a discrete-fracture model, a fracture network numerical well test model is developed. Bottom hole pressure response curves and the pressure field are obtained by solving the model equations with the finite-element method. By analyzing bottom hole pressure curves and the fluid flow in the pressure field, seven flow stages can be recognized on the curves. An upscaling method is developed to compare with the dual-porosity model （DPM）. The comparisons results show that the DPM overestimates the inter-porosity coefficient ）, and the storage factor w. The analysis results show that fracture conductivity plays a leading role in the fluid flow. Matrix permeability influences the beginning time of flow from the matrix to fractures. Fractures density is another important parameter controlling the flow. The fracture linear flow is hidden under the large fracture density. The pressure propagation is slower in the direction of larger fracture density.

Numerical evaluation of strength and deformability of fractured rocks

Knowledge of the strength and deformability of fractured rocks is important for design, construction and stability evaluation of slopes, foundations and underground excavations in civil and mining engineering. However, laboratory tests of intact rock samples cannot provide information about the strength and deformation behaviors of fractured rock masses that include many fractures of varying sizes, orientations and locations. On the other hand, large-scale in situ tests of fractured rock masses are economically costly and often not practical in reality at present. Therefore, numerical modeling becomes necessary. Numerical predicting using discrete element methods(DEM) is a suitable approach for such modeling because of their advantages of explicit representations of both fractures system geometry and their constitutive behaviors of fractures, besides that of intact rock matrix. In this study, to generically determine the compressive strength of fractured rock masses, a series of numerical experiments were performed on two-dimensional discrete fracture network models based on the realistic geometrical and mechanical data of fracture systems from feld mapping. We used the UDEC code and a numerical servo-controlled program for controlling the progressive compressive loading process to avoid sudden violent failure of the models. The two loading conditions applied are similar to the standard laboratory testing for intact rock samples in order to check possible differences caused by such loading conditions. Numerical results show that the strength of fractured rocks increases with the increasing confning pressure, and that deformation behavior of fractured rocks follows elasto-plastic model with a trend of strain hardening. The stresses and strains obtained from these numerical experiments were used to ft the well-known Mohr-Coulomb(MC) and Hoek-Brown(H-B) failure criteria, represented by equivalent material properties defning these two criteria. The results show that both criteria can provide fair estimates of the compressive strengths for all tested numerical models. Parameters of the elastic deformability of fractured models during elastic deformation stages were also evaluated, and represented as equivalent Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio as functions of lateral confning pressure. It is the frst time that such systematic numerical predicting for strength of fractured rocks was performed considering different loading conditions, with important fndings for different behaviors of fractured rock masses, compared with testing intact rock samples under similar loading conditions.

Incubation time fracture criterion for FEM simulations

The paper is discussing problems connected with embedment of the incubation time criterion for brittle fracture into finite element computational schemes. Incubation time fracture criterion is reviewed; practical questions of its numerical implementation are extensively discussed. Several examples of how the incubation time fracture criterion can be used as fracture condition in finite element computations are given. The examples include simulations of dynamic crack propagation and arrest, impact crater formation （i.e. fracture in initially intact media）, spall fracture in plates, propagation of cracks in pipelines. Applicability of the approach to model initiation, development and arrest of dynamic fracture is claimed.

Anisotropy of strength and deformability of fractured rocks

Anisotropy of the strength and deformation behaviors of fractured rock masses is a crucial issue for design and stability assessments of rock engineering structures, due mainly to the non-uniform and non- regular geometries of the fracture systems. However, no adequate efforts have been made to study this issue due to the current practical impossibility of laboratory tests with samples of large volumes con- taining many fractures, and the difficulty for controlling reliable initial and boundary conditions for large-scale in situ tests. Therefore, a reliable numerical predicting approach for evaluating anisotropy of fractured rock masses is needed. The objective of this study is to systematically investigate anisotropy of strength and deformability of fractured rocks, which has not been conducted in the past, using a nu- merical modeling method. A series of realistic two-dimensional （2D） discrete fracture network （DFN） models were established based on site investigation data, which were then loaded in different directions, using the code UDEC of discrete element method （DEM）, with changing confining pressures. Numerical results show that strength envelopes and elastic deformability parameters of tested numerical models are significantly anisotropic, and vary with changing axial loading and confining pressures. The results indicate that for design and safety assessments of rock engineering projects, the directional variations of strength and deformability of the fractured rock mass concerned must be treated properly with respect to the directions of in situ stresses. Traditional practice for simply positioning axial orientation of tunnels in association with principal stress directions only may not be adequate for safety requirements. Outstanding issues of the present study and su^zestions for future study are also oresented.

Fracture development around deep underground excavations: Insights from FDEM modelling

Over the past twenty years, there has been a growing interest in the development of numerical modelsthat can realistically capture the progressive failure of rock masses. In particular, the investigation ofdamage development around underground excavations represents a key issue in several rock engineeringapplications, including tunnelling, mining, drilling, hydroelectric power generation, and the deepgeological disposal of nuclear waste. The goal of this paper is to show the effectiveness of a hybrid finitediscreteelement method （FDEM） code to simulate the fracturing mechanisms associated with theexcavation of underground openings in brittle rock formations. A brief review of the current state-of-theartmodelling approaches is initially provided, including the description of selecting continuum- anddiscontinuum-based techniques. Then, the influence of a number of factors, including mechanical and insitu stress anisotropy, as well as excavation geometry, on the simulated damage is analysed for threedifferent geomechanical scenarios. Firstly, the fracture nucleation and growth process under isotropicrock mass conditions is simulated for a circular shaft. Secondly, the influence of mechanical anisotropy onthe development of an excavation damaged zone （EDZ） around a tunnel excavated in a layered rockformation is considered. Finally, the interaction mechanisms between two large caverns of an undergroundhydroelectric power station are investigated, with particular emphasis on the rock mass responsesensitivity to the pillar width and excavation sequence. Overall, the numerical results indicate that FDEMsimulations can provide unique geomechanical insights in cases where an explicit consideration offracture and fragmentation processes is of paramount importance. 2014 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Production and hosting byElsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS AND ALLOWABLE DEFECT ASSESSMENT OF THE CENTRIFUGE BOWL BODY

For the first time,an allowable defect analysis of the bowl body of XZZ 1200-G Centrifuge was made by using fatigue fracture mechanics method;and,again for the first time,the design fatigue curve of the dangerous section of the bowl body was given out、which may form the basis for the design and use of the centrifuge.

Numerical modelling of flow and transport in rough fractures

Simulation of flow and transport through rough walled rock fractures is investigated using the latticeBoltzmann method （LBM） and random walk （RW）, respectively. The numerical implementation isdeveloped and validated on general purpose graphic processing units （GPGPUs）. Both the LBM and RWmethod are well suited to parallel implementation on GPGPUs because they require only next-neighbourcommunication and thus can reduce expenses. The LBM model is an order of magnitude faster onGPGPUs than published results for LBM simulations run on modern CPUs. The fluid model is verified forparallel plate flow, backward facing step and single fracture flow; and the RWmodel is verified for pointsourcediffusion, Taylor-Aris dispersion and breakthrough behaviour in a single fracture. Both algorithmsplace limitations on the discrete displacement of fluid or particle transport per time step to minimise thenumerical error that must be considered during implementation. 2014 Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Production and hosting byElsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Productivity simulation of hydraulically fractured wells based on hybrid local grid refinement and embedded discrete fracture model

Using current Embedded Discrete Fracture Models(EDFM) to predict the productivity of fractured wells has some drawbacks, such as not supporting corner grid, low precision in the near wellbore zone, and disregarding the heterogeneity of conductivity brought by non-uniform sand concentration. An EDFM is developed based on the corner grid, which enables high efficient calculation of the transmissibility between the embedded fractures and matrix grids, and calculation of the permeability of each polygon in the embedded fractures by the lattice data of the artificial fracture aperture. On this basis, a coupling method of local grid refinement(LGR) and embedded discrete fracture model is designed, which is verified by comparing the calculation results with the Discrete Fracture Network(DFN) method and fitting the actual production data of the first hydraulically fractured well in Iraq. By using this method and orthogonal experimental design, the optimization of the parameters of the first multi-stage fractured horizontal well in the same block is completed. The results show the proposed method has theoretical and practical significance for improving the adaptability of EDFM and the accuracy of productivity prediction of fractured wells, and enables the coupling of fracture modeling and numerical productivity simulation at reservoir scale.

Modeling of fluid dynamics interacting with ductile fraction propagation in high pressure pipeline

This paper presents a computational model for the fluid dynamics in a fractured ductile pipe under high pressure. The pressure profile in front of the crack tip, which is the driving source of crack propagation, is computed using a nonlinear wave equation. The solution is coupled with a one dimensional choked flow analysis behind the crack. The simulation utilizes a high order optimized prefactored compact-finite volume method in space, and low dispersion and dissipation Runge-Kutta in time. As the pipe fractures the rapid depressurization take place inside the pipe and the propagation of the crack-induced waves strongly influences the outflow dynamics. Consistent with the experimental observation, the model predicts the expansion wave inside the pipe, and the reflection and outflow of the wave. The model also helps characterize the propagation of the crack dynamics and fluid flows around the tip of the crack.

Edge chipping resistance of ceramics:Problems of test method

An unconventional method for determining the fracture resistance of brittle materials is discussed.This method employs a conical indenter to chip the rectangular edge of the specimen.Particular features of the method are the use of small specimens and the evaluation of the resistance of materials to the nucleation,initiation and propagation of a crack.It is shown that this method is somewhat similar to the Hertzian fracture method and to the way that early man selected stones to make tools and weapons.Measured data of the fracture resistance of ceramics is presented.It is confirmed that if a ceramic material is similar to the model material of linear elastic fracture mechanics(LEFM),then those fracture resistance values are directly proportional to the critical stress intensity factors(baseline).For elastic and inelastic ceramics,R-lines characterizing the fracture resistance to crack growth are plotted.It is shown that proportionality lines(edge chipping resistance versus critical stress intensity factor)may be straight lines for ceramics with similar structure(such as Y-TZP and Mg-PSZ).The effect of rounding of the conical indenter tip(10-800μm)on chip scar shape is indicated.Other aspects in the fracture behavior of ceramics during edge chipping are also analyzed.The advantages and disadvantages of the method are discussed.Further studies in this mechanico-physical research area are suggested.

Field experience and numerical investigations of minifrac tests with flowback in low-permeability formations

In this study,flowback-assisted minifrac tests were conducted in low-permeability shale and salt formations to measure the in situ stress.An injection/flowback testing protocol was implemented in each test to achieve accuracy and efficiency.Accurate and efficient injection/flowback testing is very important,given the impermeable nature of these formations and the need to complete each test as quickly as possible.Each flowback cycle yields a distinct and repeatable fracture closure signature,simplifying the interpretation of the fracture closure pressure.The objective of this paper is to share our field experience and to present a numerical analysis of the flowback test pressure responses,fracture closure behaviors,and fracture closure diagnostic methods.Examples from open-hole and casedhole minifrac tests are used to demonstrate site operation procedures.Then,two numerical models are presented for simulating the fracture closure behavior during a flowback test.Field evidence is provided to demonstrate that the fracture closure pressures from the flowback tests are identical to those from tests without flowback.The fracture closure diagnostic methods for flowback tests are discussed,and it is found that the G-function diagnostic method yields a distinct fracture closure signal during the flowback tests.This study is intended to provide additional insights regarding flowback tests by sharing our successes,experience,and knowledge,thereby benefiting the industry.

THICKNESS-DEPENDENCE OF RESIDUAL STRESS IN LEAD-FREE FERROELECTRIC K_(0.5)Na_(0.5)NbO_(3) FILMS

Lead-free ferroelectric K_(0.5)Na_(0.5)NbO_(3)(KNN)films with different thicknesses were prepared by polyvinlypyrrolidone(PVP)-modified chemical solution deposition(CSD)method.Their residual stresses were studied with two methods of X-ray diffraction(XRD)and nanoindentation fracture.It was found that the tensile stress occurs in KNN films with small thickness of 1.3μm after all kinds of stresses were neutralized,which is mainly originated from the interaction across grain boundaries.With increasing the thickness to 2.5μm and above it,the residual stress changed from tensile stresses to compressive stresses,and the compressive stress decreased with the thickness increased.These results could explain why a thicker KNN film can show improved electrical properties and the larger the thickness,the better the ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties.