The heterogeneity of unconventional reservoir rock tremendously affects its hydrofracturing behavior. A visual representation and accurate characterization of the three-dimensional （3D） growth and distribution of hy...The heterogeneity of unconventional reservoir rock tremendously affects its hydrofracturing behavior. A visual representation and accurate characterization of the three-dimensional （3D） growth and distribution of hydrofracturing cracks within heterogeneous rocks is of particular use to the design and implementation of hydrofracturing stimulation of unconventional reservoirs. However, because of the difficulties involved in visually representing and quantitatively characterizing a 3D hydrofracturing crack-network, this issue remains a challenge. In this paper, a novel method is proposed for physically visualizing and quantitatively characterizing the 3D hydrofracturing crack-network distributed through a heterogeneous structure based on a natural glutenite sample. This method incorporates X-ray microfocus computed tomography （μCT）, 3D printing models and hydrofracturing triaxial tests to represent visually the heterogeneous structure, and the 3D crack growth and distribution within a transparent rock model during hydrofracturing. The coupled effects of material heterogeneity and confining geostress on the 3D crack initiation and propagation were analyzed. The results indicate that the breakdown pressure of a heterogeneous rock model is significantly affected by material heterogeneity and confining geostress. The measured breakdown pressures of heterogeneous models are apparently different from those predicted by traditional theories. This study helps to elucidate the quantitative visualization and characterization of the mechanism and influencing factors that determine the hydrofracturing crack initiation and propagation in heterogeneous reservoir rocks.展开更多
Hydraulic fracturing is designed to form a high-conductivity fracture. The proppant will embed into the formation rock, especially in soft rock, owing to the interaction between proppant and fracture surface after fra...Hydraulic fracturing is designed to form a high-conductivity fracture. The proppant will embed into the formation rock, especially in soft rock, owing to the interaction between proppant and fracture surface after fracture closure. Proppant embedment would reduce the fracture width and then lower the fracture conductivity. According to dimensional analysis, the rock is assumed to be an elastic material. Using the theory of elasticity to describe the stage of elastic deformation and analysis of the corresponding simplified embedding process, the study establish the static computation model of the two-dimensional infinite half plane and three-dimensional infinite half space model of the proppant embedment. According to laboratory results, the calculation model was modified, got an effective correction factor and analyzed the causes of errors, then discussed the factors which have impact on proppant embedment. The result calculated by the model in this paper can be reference of prop- pant optimization in on-site fracturing for a certainty degree.展开更多
In the paper, a new procedure is proposed to investigate three-dimensional fracture problems of a thin elastic plate with a long through-the-thickness crack under remote uniform tensile loading. The new procedure incl...In the paper, a new procedure is proposed to investigate three-dimensional fracture problems of a thin elastic plate with a long through-the-thickness crack under remote uniform tensile loading. The new procedure includes a new analytical method and high accurate finite element simulations. In the part of theoretical analysis, three-dimensional Maxwell stress functions are employed in order to derive three-dimensional crack tip fields. Based on the theoretical analysis, an equation which can describe the relationship among the three-dimensional J-integral J(z), the stress intensity factor K(z) and the tri-axial stress constraint level Tz(z) is derived first. In the part of finite element simulations, a fine mesh including 153360 elements is constructed to compute the stress field near the crack front, J(z) and Tz(z). Numerical results show that in the plane very close to the free surface, the K field solution is still valid for in-plane stresses. Comparison with the numerical results shows that the analytical results are valid.展开更多
基金We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China （Grants 51374213 and 51674251）, National Natural Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of China （Grant 51125017）, Science Fund for Creative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China （Grant 51421003）, Fund for Innovative Research and Development Group Program of Jiangsu Province （Grant 2014-27）, and the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions （Grant PAPD 2014）.
文摘The heterogeneity of unconventional reservoir rock tremendously affects its hydrofracturing behavior. A visual representation and accurate characterization of the three-dimensional （3D） growth and distribution of hydrofracturing cracks within heterogeneous rocks is of particular use to the design and implementation of hydrofracturing stimulation of unconventional reservoirs. However, because of the difficulties involved in visually representing and quantitatively characterizing a 3D hydrofracturing crack-network, this issue remains a challenge. In this paper, a novel method is proposed for physically visualizing and quantitatively characterizing the 3D hydrofracturing crack-network distributed through a heterogeneous structure based on a natural glutenite sample. This method incorporates X-ray microfocus computed tomography （μCT）, 3D printing models and hydrofracturing triaxial tests to represent visually the heterogeneous structure, and the 3D crack growth and distribution within a transparent rock model during hydrofracturing. The coupled effects of material heterogeneity and confining geostress on the 3D crack initiation and propagation were analyzed. The results indicate that the breakdown pressure of a heterogeneous rock model is significantly affected by material heterogeneity and confining geostress. The measured breakdown pressures of heterogeneous models are apparently different from those predicted by traditional theories. This study helps to elucidate the quantitative visualization and characterization of the mechanism and influencing factors that determine the hydrofracturing crack initiation and propagation in heterogeneous reservoir rocks.
基金Supported by the Sichuan Youth Science ＆ Technology Foundation （2011JTD0009） the National Natural Science Foundation of China （51074138）
文摘Hydraulic fracturing is designed to form a high-conductivity fracture. The proppant will embed into the formation rock, especially in soft rock, owing to the interaction between proppant and fracture surface after fracture closure. Proppant embedment would reduce the fracture width and then lower the fracture conductivity. According to dimensional analysis, the rock is assumed to be an elastic material. Using the theory of elasticity to describe the stage of elastic deformation and analysis of the corresponding simplified embedding process, the study establish the static computation model of the two-dimensional infinite half plane and three-dimensional infinite half space model of the proppant embedment. According to laboratory results, the calculation model was modified, got an effective correction factor and analyzed the causes of errors, then discussed the factors which have impact on proppant embedment. The result calculated by the model in this paper can be reference of prop- pant optimization in on-site fracturing for a certainty degree.
基金supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.2014B1801)
文摘In the paper, a new procedure is proposed to investigate three-dimensional fracture problems of a thin elastic plate with a long through-the-thickness crack under remote uniform tensile loading. The new procedure includes a new analytical method and high accurate finite element simulations. In the part of theoretical analysis, three-dimensional Maxwell stress functions are employed in order to derive three-dimensional crack tip fields. Based on the theoretical analysis, an equation which can describe the relationship among the three-dimensional J-integral J(z), the stress intensity factor K(z) and the tri-axial stress constraint level Tz(z) is derived first. In the part of finite element simulations, a fine mesh including 153360 elements is constructed to compute the stress field near the crack front, J(z) and Tz(z). Numerical results show that in the plane very close to the free surface, the K field solution is still valid for in-plane stresses. Comparison with the numerical results shows that the analytical results are valid.
