Formulation and procedure for in situ stress back-analysis from borehole strain changes measured during nearby underground excavation

Estimation of in situ stresses based on back-analysis of measured stress changes and displacements has become an alternative to the direct stress measurement methods.In order to help users conduct own measurement and analysis,this paper presents in detail a field stress back-analysis approach directly from borehole strain changes measured during nearby underground excavation.Essential formulations in major steps and the procedure for the entire analysis process are provided to allow users to follow.The instrument for borehole strain change measurement can be the CSIR or CSIRO stress cells and other borehole strain cells that can measure strains on borehole walls.Strain changes corresponding to the stress changes at a borehole location are calculated in borehole environment.The stress changes due to nearby excavation can be calculated by an analytical model for a single circular opening and simulated by a numerical model for non-circular and multiple openings.These models are based on isotropic,homogeneous and linear elastic assumptions.The analysis of borehole strain changes is accomplished by multiple linear regression based on error minimization and an integrated process provides the best-fit solution directly to the in situ stresses.A statistical technique is adopted for screening outliers in the measurement data,checking measurement compatibility and evaluating the reliability of analysis results.An application example is included to demonstrate the practical application and the analysis procedure.

Borehole deformation based in situ stress estimation using televiewer data

The knowledge of in situ stress is critical in safe and optimised extraction of minerals and energy resources.In situ stresses are either measured directly(e.g.overcoring)or estimated indirectly(e.g.borehole breakouts).Borehole breakout analysis for in situ stress estimation is considered a relatively simple and cost-efficient technique.This technique,however,poses certain limitations such as complexities with progressive formation of breakouts and it requires inputs such as rock failure parameters that are not often available.As a result,significant effort has been made to develop new indirect methods for in situ stress estimation.Borehole deformation analysis using four-arm caliper has been recently proposed for in situ stress estimation and has shown promising results.In this study,we demonstrate a new methodology that analyses the borehole televiewer data with the technique of borehole deformation analysis to estimate the in situ stresses through a field case study.The advantages and challenges of using borehole televiewer data for stress estimation based on borehole deformation analysis are discussed and the best practice to obtain the reliable results is explained.The limitations of using fourarm caliper and borehole deformation analysis for in situ stress estimation are also discussed and it is shown how televiewer data can overcome such limitations.Finally,the in situ stress results obtained from televiewer data and borehole deformation analysis are compared with independent in situ stress measurements to show the robustness and reliability of the proposed methodology.

Interaction between in situ stress states and tectonic faults:A comment

Understanding the in situ stress state is crucial in many engineering problems and earth science research.The present article presents new insights into the interaction mechanism between the stress state and faults.In situ stresses can be influenced by various factors,one of the most important being the existence of faults.A fault could significantly affect the value and direction of the stress components.Reorientation and magnitude changes in stresses exist adjacent to faults and stress jumps/discontinuities across the fault.By contrast,the change in the stress state may lead to the transformation of faulting type and potential fault reactivation.Qualitative fault reactivation assessment using characteristic parameters under the current stress environment provides a method to assess the slip tendency of faults.The correlation between in situ stresses and fault properties enhances the ability to predict the fault slip tendency via stress measurements,which can be used to further refine the assessment of the fault reactivation risk.In the future,stress measurements at greater depths and long-term continuous real-time stress monitoring near/on key parts of faults will be essential.In addition,much attention needs to be paid to distinguishing the genetic mechanisms of abnormal stress states and the type and scale of stress variations and exploring the mechanisms of pre-faulting anomaly and fault reactivation.

Estimation of the three-dimensional in situ stress field around a large deep underground cavern group near a valley

Understanding three-dimensional(3D)in situ stress field is of key importance for estimating the stability of large deep underground cavern groups near valleys.However,the complete 3D in situ stress fields around large deep underground cavern groups are difficult to determine based on in situ stress data from a limited number of measuring points due to the insufficient representativeness and unreliability of such measurements.In this study,an integrated approach for estimating the 3D in situ stress field around a large deep underground cavern group near a valley is developed based on incomplete in situ stress measurements and the stress-induced failures of tunnels excavated prior to the step excavation of the cavern group.This integrated approach is implemented via four interrelated and progressive basic steps,i.e.inference of the regional tectonic stress field direction,analyses of in situ stress characteristics and measurement reliability,regression-based in situ stress field analysis and reliability assessment,and modified in situ stress field analysis and reliability verification.The orientations and magnitudes of the 3D in situ stress field can be analyzed and obtained at a strategic level following these four basic steps.First,the tectonic stress field direction around the cavern group is deduced in accordance with the regional tectonic framework and verified using a regional crustal deformation velocity map.Second,the reliability of the in situ stress measurements is verified based on the locations and depths of stressinduced brittle failures in small tunnels(such as exploratory tunnels and pilot tunnels)within the excavation range of the cavern group.Third,considering the influences of the valley topography and major geological structures,the 3D in situ stress field is regressed using numerical simulation and multiple linear regression techniques based on the in situ stress measurements.Finally,the regressed in situ stress field is further modified and reverified based on the stress-induced brittle failures of small tunnels and the initial excavation of the cavern group.A case study of the Shuangjiangkou underground cavern group demonstrates that the proposed approach is reliable for estimating the 3D in situ stress fields of large deep underground cavern groups near valleys,thus contributing to the optimization of practical excavation and design of mitigating the instability of the surrounding rock masses during step excavations.

Predicting the present-day in situ stress distribution within the Yanchang Formation Chang 7 shale oil reservoir of Ordos Basin, central China

The Yanchang Formation Chang 7 oil-bearing layer of the Ordos Basin is important in China for producing shale oil.The present-day in situ stress state is of practical implications for the exploration and development of shale oil;however,few studies are focused on stress distributions within the Chang 7 reservoir.In this study,the present-day in situ stress distribution within the Chang 7 reservoir was predicted using the combined spring model based on well logs and measured stress data.The results indicate that stress magnitudes increase with burial depth within the Chang 7 reservoir.Overall,the horizontal maximum principal stress(SHmax),horizontal minimum principal stress(Shmin) and vertical stress(Sv) follow the relationship of Sv≥SHmax>Shmin,indicating a dominant normal faulting stress regime within the Chang 7 reservoir of Ordos Basin.Laterally,high stress values are mainly distributed in the northwestern parts of the studied region,while low stress values are found in the southeastern parts.Factors influencing stress distributions are also analyzed.Stress magnitudes within the Chang 7 reservoir show a positive linear relationship with burial depth.A larger value of Young's modulus results in higher stress magnitudes,and the differential horizontal stress becomes higher when the rock Young's modulus grows larger.

In Situ Stress Measurements in the Lhasa Terrane,Tibetan Plateau,China

the India and Eurasia plates. Knowledge of the stress state is critical to evaluate the crustal stability and the design of underground excavations. Because of the limitations imposed by natural conditions, little research has been performed on the present crustal in situ stress in the Tibetan Plateau, and further study is imperative. In this study, hydraulic fracturing measurements were conducted in Nyching County （LZX） and Lang County （LX）, Lhasa terrane to characterize the shallow crustal stress state. The results indicate that the stress state in the LZX borehole is markedly different from that in the LX borehole, in both magnitude and orientation. At the same measurement depths, the magnitudes of horizontal principal stresses in the LX borehole are 1.5–3.0 times larger than those in the LZX borehole. The stress regime in the LX borehole favors reverse faulting characterized by SH〉Sh〉Sv, where SH, Sh, and Sv are maximum horizontal, minimum horizontal, and vertical principal stresses, respectively. The SH and Sh values are approximately three and two times greater than Sv. Fracture impression results reveal that SH in the LX borehole are predominantly N–S, while in the LZX borehole the maximum horizontal principal stress is mainly in the NNE-direction. The heterogeneity of the regional stress state might be a result of the population and distribution of local structures and seismic activities. The stress state in the LX borehole has exceeded the critical state of failure equilibrium, and there is an optimally orientated pre-existing fault near the borehole. It can be concluded that the optimally orientated fault is likely to be active when the stress has built up sufficiently to destroy the frictional equilibrium; it is suggested that research focus should be placed on this in future. The stress states in boreholes LZX and LX indicate uniformity of the regional stress field and diversity of the local stress fields resulting from the interactions among regional dynamic forces, tectonic stress field, and geological structures.

3D numerical simulation of heterogeneous in situ stress field in low-permeability reservoirs

Analysis of the in situ stress orientation and magnitude in the No.4 Structure of Nanpu Sag was performed on the basis of data obtained from borehole breakout and acoustic emission measurements.On the basis of mechanical experiments,logging interpretation,and seismic data,a 3 D geological model and heterogeneous rock mechanics field of the reservoir were constructed.Finite element simulation techniques were then used for the detailed prediction of the 3 D stress field.The results indicated that the maximum horizontal stress orientation in the study area was generally NEE-SWW trending,with significant changes in the in situ stress orientation within and between fault blocks.Along surfaces and profiles,stress magnitudes were discrete and the in situ stress belonged to theⅠa-type.Observed inter-strata differences were characterized as five different types of in situ stress profile.Faults were the most important factor causing large distributional differences in the stress field of reservoirs within the complex fault blocks.The next important influence on the stress field was the reservoir’s rock mechanics parameters,which impacted on the magnitudes of in situ stress magnitudes.This technique provided a theoretical basis for more efficient exploration and development of low-permeability reservoirs within complex fault blocks.

Three-Dimensional In Situ Stress-Field Simulations of Shale Gas Formations:A Case Study of the 5th Member of the Xujiahe Formation in the Xinchang Gas Field,West Sichuan Depression

This work established a geological model for the 5th member of the Xujiahe Formation（X5 member） in the Xinchang gas field of the West Sichuan Depression based on the lithological, structural and depositional properties, as well as logging and well completion data and drill-core observations. Rock mechanical parameters were calculated according to rock mechanic experiments and rock mechanic interpretations from logging data. We also calculated the magnitudes and orientations of the in situ stresses based on acoustic emission tests, differential strain tests, fracturing behaviour and logging interpretations as well as anisotropy logging tests, borehole-breakout measurements and well-log data. Additionally, the present stress field of the X5 member was simulated using finite element numerical（FEM） simulation methods. The numerical simulation results indicate that the distributions of lithology and fractures are key factors that influence the present stress field. The stress field in the study area is discontinuous as a result of fractures and faults in the central and eastern areas. Stress is concentrated at the end sections and bends of faults, but dissipates with distance away from both sides of the faults. A longitudinal profile clearly demonstrates the zonality and continuity of the stress field and an increase with depth. The differential stress distribution is relatively uniform; however, large deviations occur in fracture zones.

Impact of elliptical boreholes on in situ stress estimation from leak-off test data

We developed an inversion technique to determine in situ stresses for elliptical boreholes of arbitrary trajectory. In this approach, borehole geometry, drilling-induced fracture information, and other available leak-off test data were used to construct a mathematical model, which was in turn applied to finding the inverse of an overdetermined system of equations.The method has been demonstrated by a case study in the Appalachian Basin, USA. The calculated horizontal stresses are in reasonable agreement with the reported regional stress study of the area, although there are no field measurement data of the studied well for direct calibration. The results also indicate that 2% of axis difference in the elliptical borehole geometry can cause a 5% difference in minimum horizontal stress calculation and a 10% difference in maximum horizontal stress calculation.

In situ stress measurement and analysis of the stress accumulation levels in coal mines in the northern Ordos Basin,China

For non-directional drilling cores,selection of samples and the test methods for in situ stress measurements to evaluate the Kaiser effect(KE)were proposed,and the magnitude and direction of the principal stresses were derived from first principles.Based on this approach,the KE for 423 samples in the Burtai and Baode coal mines in the northern Ordos Basin(NOB),China,have been investigated.The results show that the maximum horizontal principal stress(σ_(H)),the minimum horizontal principal stress(σ_(h))and the vertical stress(σ_(v))varied with depth and location,and the values increase with increasing depth.Generally,the horizontal stresses play a leading role.For the main stress regimes in the NOB,σ_(H)>σ_(h)>σ_(v)(Burtai Mine,<172 m;Baode Mine,<170 m)andσ_(H)>σ_(v)>σ_(h)(Burtai Mine,170-800 m;Baode Mine,170-400 m),and theσ_(v)>σ_(H)>σ_(h)stress regimes are mainly distributed in moderately deep to deep coal mines.For rock masses with a depth of 350 m,k((σ_(H)+σ_(h))/2σ_(v))tends to 1,indicating that a deep critical state will gradually emerge.The test results are compared with those for the overcoring(OC)method,the anelastic strain recovery(ASR)method and micro-hydraulic fracturing(HF).The relative errors forσ_(H),σ_(h)andσ_(v)were 14.90%,19.67%,15.47%(Burtai Mine)and 10.74%,22.76%,19.97%(Baode Mine),respectively,and the errors are all within an acceptable range,thus verifying the reliability of the KE method.The dominant orientation for theσ_(H)(Burtai mine,NE-NNE;Baode Mine,NEE)is obtained via paleomagnetic technology,and the data are consistent with those(NE-NEE)of the earthquake focal mechanism solutions for the area.Based on the Byerlee-Anderson theory,a discussion is given on the levels of stress accumulation in the rock mass of the mines.For dry rocks or hydrostatic pressure rocks,the friction coefficients of the faults are low for both locations,and the values are less than the lower limit(0.6)of the strike-slip faults slip,indicating that the stress fractures at a low level around the study areas are lower than the friction limit stress.The stress accumulation levels in the Baode Mine are slightly larger than those in the Burtai Mine.

Effects of in situ stress measurement uncertainties on assessment of predicted seismic activity and risk associated with a hypothetical industrial-scale geologic CO_2 sequestration operation

Carbon capture and storage(CCS) in geologic formations has been recognized as a promising option for reducing carbon dioxide(CO) emissions from large stationary sources.However,the pressure buildup inside the storage formation can potentially induce slip along preexisting faults,which could lead to felt seismic ground motion and also provide pathways for brine/COleakage into shallow drinking water aquifers.To assess the geomechanical stability of faults,it is of crucial importance to know the in situ state of stress.In situ stress measurements can provide some information on the stresses acting on faults but with considerable uncertainties.In this paper,we investigate how such uncertainties,as defined by the variation of stress measurements obtained within the study area,could influence the assessment of the geomechanical stability of faults and the characteristics of potential injection-induced seismic events.Our modeling study is based on a hypothetical industrial-scale carbon sequestration project assumed to be located in the Southern San Joaquin Basin in California,USA.We assess the stability on the major(25 km long) fault that bounds the sequestration site and is subjected to significant reservoir pressure changes as a result of 50 years of COinjection.We present a series of geomechanical simulations in which the resolved stresses on the fault were varied over ranges of values corresponding to various stress measurements performed around the study area.The simulation results are analyzed by a statistical approach.Our main results are that the variations in resolved stresses as defined by the range of stress measurements had a negligible effect on the prediction of the seismic risk(maximum magnitude),but an important effect on the timing,the seismicity rate(number of seismic events) and the location of seismic activity.

Characteristics of orthorhombic anisotropic seismic response induced by horizontal in situ stress in vertical transversely isotropic media

Sedimentary strata typically exhibit the characteristics of transverse isotropy(VTI)with a vertical axis of symmetry.However,fractures in sedimentary strata tend to produce anisotropic closure due to horizontal in situ stress,resulting in pronounced orthorhombic anisotropy in VTI media under such stress conditions and influencing the propagation behavior of seismic waves.Previous studies have primarily focused on the elastic wave velocity anisotropy induced by applied stress in isotropic background media,neglecting the impact of VTI background media on the anisotropy induced by horizontal in situ stress and the response characteristics of seismic wave propagation.To address these gaps,we first establish the effective elastic stiffness tensor of VTI media under horizontal in situ stress using nonlinear acoustoelastic theory.Then,we derive the accurate and linearized approximate equations for P-wave seismic reflectivity of VTI media under horizontal in situ stress,based on wave equations and scattering theory,respectively.Finally,we compare and analyze the characteristics of orthorhombic anisotropic seismic response induced by horizontal in situ stress at various types of elastic reflection interfaces.Our results demonstrate that the linearized approximation of the seismic reflection response characteristics closely aligns with the accurate equations under conditions of small stress below 10 MPa,effectively capturing the azimuth-dependent orthorhombic anisotropy induced by horizontal in situ stress in VTI media.The results of this study also provide a novel theoretical approach and valuable insights into the seismic prediction of in situ stress.

Analytical investigations of in situ stress inversion from borehole breakout geometries

This study aims to investigate the feasibility of deriving in situ horizontal stresses from the breakout width and depth using the analytical method.Twenty-three breakout data with different borehole sizes were collected and three failure criteria were studied.Based on the Kirsch equations,relatively accurate major horizontal stress(sH)estimations from known minor horizontal stress(sh)were achieved with percentage errors ranging from 0.33%to 44.08%using the breakout width.The Mogi-Coulomb failure criterion(average error:13.1%)outperformed modified Wiebols-Cook(average error:19.09%)and modified Lade(average error:18.09%)failure criteria.However,none of the tested constitutive models could yield reasonable sh predictions from known sH using the same approach due to the analytical expression of the redistributed stress and the nature of the constitutive models.In consideration of this issue,the horizontal stress ratio(sH/sh)is suggested as an alternative input,which could estimate both sH and sh with the same level of accuracy.Moreover,the estimation accuracies for both large-scale and laboratory-scale breakouts are comparable,suggesting the applicability of this approach across different breakout sizes.For breakout depth,conformal mapping and complex variable method were used to calculate the stress concentration around the breakout tip,allowing the expression of redistributed stresses using binomials composed of sH and sh.Nevertheless,analysis of the breakout depth stabilisation mechanism indicates that additional parameters are required to utilise normalised breakout depth for stress estimation compared to breakout width.These parameters are challenging to obtain,especially under field conditions,meaning utilising normalised breakout depth analytically in practical applications faces significant challenges and remains infeasible at this stage.Nonetheless,the normalised breakout depth should still be considered a critical input for any empirical and statistical stress estimation method given its significant correlation with horizontal stresses.The outcome of this paper is expected to contribute valuable insights into the breakout stabilisation mechanisms and estimation of in situ stress magnitudes based on borehole breakout geometries.

Mutual impact of true triaxial stress, borehole orientation and bedding inclination on laboratory hydraulic fracturing of Lushan shale

Unconventional resources like shale gas has been the focus of intense research and development for two decades. Apart from intrinsic geologic factors that control the gas shale productivity (e.g. organic matter content, bedding planes, natural fractures, porosity and stress regime among others), external factors like wellbore orientation and stimulation design play a role. In this study, we present a series of true triaxial hydraulic fracturing experiments conducted on Lushan shale to investigate the interplay of internal factors (bedding, natural fractures and in situ stress) and external factors (wellbore orientation) on the growth process of fracture networks in cubic specimens of 200 mm in length. We observe relatively low breakdown pressure and fracture propagation pressure as the wellbore orientation and/or the maximum in situ stress is subparallel to the shale bedding plane. The wellbore orientation has a more prominent effect on the breakdown pressure, but its effect is tapered with increasing angle of bedding inclination. The shale breakdown is followed by an abrupt response in sample displacement, which reflects the stimulated fracture volume. Based on fluid tracer analysis, the morphology of hydraulic fractures (HF) is divided into four categories. Among the categories, activation of bedding planes (bedding failure, BF) and natural fractures (NF) significantly increase bifurcation and fractured areas. Under the same stress regime, a horizontal wellbore is more favorable to enhance the complexity of hydraulic fracture networks. This is attributed to the relatively large surface area in contact with the bedding plane for the horizontal borehole compared to the case with a vertical wellbore. These findings provide important references for hydraulic fracturing design in shale reservoirs.

In situ stress state and seismic hazard in the Dayi seismic gap of the Longmenshan thrust belt

In the Longmenshan thrust belt,the Dayi seismic gap,an area with few earthquakes,is located between the ruptures of the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake and the 2013 Lushan Earthquake,with a length of approximately 40–60 km.To date,however,the extent of the seismic hazard of the Dayi seismic gap and whether this gap is under high stress are still hotly debated.To further evaluate the seismic hazard of the Dayi seismic gap with regard to stress,two boreholes(1,000 and 500 m deep)were arranged to carry out hydraulic fracturing in situ stress measurement on either side of the Shuangshi-Dachuan fault zone.This zone has a high seismic hazard and the capacity to undergo surface rupture.Through the analogy of this new data with stability analysis using Byerlee’s Law and existing stress measurement data collected before strong earthquakes,the results show that the area surrounding the Shuangshi-Dachuan fault zone in the Dayi seismic gap(Dachuan Town)is in a state of high in situ stress,and has the conditions necessary for friction slip,with the potential hazard of moderate to strong earthquakes.Our results are the first to reveal the in situ stress profile at a depth of 1,000 m in the Dayi seismic gap,and provide new data for comprehensive evaluation of the seismic hazard in this seismic gap,which is of great significance to explore the mechanism of earthquake occurrence and to help mitigate future disaster.

Modes of multi-mechanistic gas diffusion in shale matrix at varied effective stresses:Observations and analysis

Gas diffusion in the shale matrix has a dominant effect on late-stage production from shale gas reservoirs.However,adequate research on the mechanisms and contributions of gas diffusion for varied pore size populations in shale matrix under recreated in situ stress is lacking.We report gas-diffusion measurements under constant in situ stress but variable gas pressures for contrasting non-adsorbent(helium(He))and adsorbed(methane(CH_(4)))gases to investigate the impact of effective stress on the evolution of dominant mechanisms of diffusion.An intact sample replicates true pore-network topology and diffusion paths.An integrated diffusion model is proposed that combines the effects of slip flow,Knudsen flow,and surface diffusion to constrain the evolution of these flow regimes and their respective contributions to the observational data.Finally,a probability density function(PDF)is employed to separate the gas content distributions of macropores and micropores from the total gas content and to investigate gas contributions in various pores.The results reveal that the diffusion coefficients of both He and CH_(4) in macropores and micropores increase with gas pressure but decrease with increasing effective stress.The diffusion coefficients of He and CH_(4) are different in macropores but remain nearly the same in micropores.The diffusion coefficients of slip flow and surface diffusion increase with decreasing effective stress except for CH_(4) diffusion in the micropores,while the evolution of Knudsen diffusion shows the opposite trend.Slip flow plays a dominant role in He and CH_(4) diffusion within macropores(pore size 45 nm).Knudsen diffusion gradually becomes significant for He diffusion in the micropores(pore size 4 nm),conversely,for CH_(4) diffusion in the micropores,surface diffusion becomes significant.Related to gas production from reservoirs,the contributions of the micropores will increase gradually with the duration of gas recovery,indicating the significant role of gas diffusion in micropores to steady supply during latestage production.

Undrained semi-analytical solution for cylindrical cavity expansion in anisotropic soils under biaxial stress conditions

This paper presents an undrained semi-analytical elastoplastic solution for cylindrical cavity expansion in anisotropic soil under the biaxial stress conditions.The advanced simplified SANICLAY model is used to simulate the elastoplastic behavior of soil.The cavity expansion is treated as an initial value problem and solved as a system of eight first-order ordinary differential equations including four stress components and four anisotropic parameters.The results are validated by comparing the new solutions with existing ones.The distributions of stress components and anisotropic parameters around the cavity wall,the expansion process,the stress yield trajectory of a soil element and the shape and size of elastoplastic boundary are further investigated to explore the cavity expansion response of soils under biaxial in situ stresses.The results of extensive parameters analysis demonstrate that the circumferential position of the soil element and the anisotropy of the soils have noticeable impacts on the expansion response under biaxial in situ stresses.Since the present solution not only considers the anisotropy and anisotropy evolution of natural soil,but also eliminates the conventional assumption of uniform radial pressure,the solution is better than other theoretical solutions to explain the pressure test and pile installation effect of shallow saturated soil.

Characteristics of in-situ stress and its controls on coalbed methane development in the southeastern Qinshui Basin,North China

In-situ stress is a key reservoir parameter to evaluate reservoir permeability,hydraulic fractures,coal seam deformation and coalbed methane(CBM)recovery.With limited CBM test wells in the Zhengzhuang field,southeast of the Qinshui basin,North China,the in-situ stress data is inadequate for CBM exploration and development.It is necessary to find a method to predicate in-situ stress through other exploration data such as geophysical well loggings.In this study,we provide a new well-logging databased model to predicate the in-situ stress based on 17 sets of well test data and comprehensive logging data.As a distinguished characteristic of this model,different structural compartmentalization of CBM reservoirs was considered.A regional adaptive residual strain index was introduced to the model.Based on the model,the in-situ stress distribution in the Zhengzhuang field were evaluated systematically,and the influences of in-situ stress on permeability and the propagation of hydro-fractures were discussed.Results indicate that the magnitude of the maximum(S_(Hmax),14.19e45.40 MPa)and minimum horizontal stresses(Shmin,10.62e28.38 MPa)and the gravitational stress(Sv,9.58e30.82 MPa)all show positive correlations with burial depths.The in-situ stress fields in the study area are characterized by 1)SHmax>Sv>Shmin in shallow layers(<700 m),indicating a dominant strike-slip faulting stress regime;2)Sv z S_(Hmax)>S_(hmin)and S_(Hmax)>Sv>S_(hmin)in the depth of 700e1050 m,suggesting a transformed regime;and 3)S_(Hmax)>Sv>S_(hmin)in deep layers(>1050 m),indicating a strike-slip faulting stress regime.The S_(Hmax)in the study area is orientated by NE-SW,with a trend of 40e49.Resulted from the change of the in-situ stress regimes from shallow(500 m)to deep layers(~1000 m),the reservoir permeability variation shows a typical increase followed by decrease.The presence of natural fractures significantly affect the propagation pattern of hydraulic fractures,and the length difference between the major and branch fractures increases with increasing stress anisotropy in the Zhengzhuang field.

Rock Stress Measurement Methods in Rock Mechanics—A Brief Overview

The current brief review paper on rock stress measurement methods is very crucial factors in mining, civil infrastructure, geothermal energy, nuclear underground disposal, large underground oil storage caverns, etc as well as in geology and geophysical area. Measurement of in situ rock stress is a very challenging and difficult quantity and not possible to measure directly. Measure the deformation or displacements or hydraulic factors by perturbing the rock and converting the measured quantity into rock stress. There are two main categories for measuring methods: direct and indirect methods. The most common methods of direct in situ stress techniques are briefly described including advantages, disadvantages and limitations. Moreover, authors included the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for rock stress measurement methods.

Extended finite element-based cohesive zone method for modeling simultaneous hydraulic fracture height growth in layered reservoirs

In this study,a fully coupled hydromechanical model within the extended finite element method(XFEM)-based cohesive zone method(CZM)is employed to investigate the simultaneous height growth behavior of multi-cluster hydraulic fractures in layered porous reservoirs with modulus contrast.The coupled hydromechanical model is first verified against an analytical solution and a laboratory experiment.Then,the fracture geometry(e.g.height,aperture,and area)and fluid pressure evolutions of multiple hydraulic fractures placed in a porous reservoir interbedded with alternating stiff and soft layers are investigated using the model.The stress and pore pressure distributions within the layered reservoir during fluid injection are also presented.The simulation results reveal that stress umbrellas are easily to form among multiple hydraulic fractures’tips when propagating in soft layers,which impedes the simultaneous height growth.It is also observed that the impediment effect of soft layer is much more significant in the fractures suppressed by the preferential growth of adjoining fractures.After that,the combined effect of in situ stress ratio and fracturing spacing on the multi-fracture height growth is presented,and the results elucidate the influence of in situ stress ratio on the height growth behavior depending on the fracture spacing.Finally,it is found that the inclusion of soft layers changes the aperture distribution of outmost and interior hydraulic fractures.The results obtained from this study may provide some insights on the understanding of hydraulic fracture height containment observed in filed.