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 res...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.展开更多
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 conten...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.展开更多
In-situ stress measurement using the hydraulic fracturing technique was made at Wanfu Coal Mine in Shandong Province, China. To solve problems caused by great measuring depth and extra thick overburden soil layers in ...In-situ stress measurement using the hydraulic fracturing technique was made at Wanfu Coal Mine in Shandong Province, China. To solve problems caused by great measuring depth and extra thick overburden soil layers in the mine, a series of improved techniques were developed for the traditional hydraulic fracturing technique and equipment to increase their pressure-enduring ability and to ensure safe and flexible removal of the sealing packers with other experimental apparatus. Successful in-situ stress measurement at 37 points within 7 boreholes, which were mostly over 1000 m deep, was completed. Through the measurement, detailed information of in-situ stress state has been provided for mining design of the mine. The improved hydraulic fracturing technique and equipment also provide reliable tools for in-situ stress measurement at great depth of other mines.展开更多
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 hy...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.展开更多
The Urea Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UMDP) is a water transfer, hydropower and irrigation in the south-eastern part of the central highland region of Sri Lanka. During geotechnical site investigation progr...The Urea Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UMDP) is a water transfer, hydropower and irrigation in the south-eastern part of the central highland region of Sri Lanka. During geotechnical site investigation program 42 hydraulic fracture tests and 42 impression packer tests were carried out in 3 boreholes to about 840 m depth. Based on the stress measurements the minimum and maximum horizontal stress ratios were calculated. In situ stress computations at all the tests were based on the assumption that the principal stress components were vertical (σv) and horizontal (σH and σh, the maximum and minimum, respectively). The results of the measurements had a direct impact on the design of the major openings bearing a high overburden--the underground powerhouse and the transformer cavern--and revealed a significant optimization potential concerning the selection of the lining system of the pressure shaft.展开更多
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...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.展开更多
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 ...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.展开更多
Four months after the Wenchuan Ms 8 earthquake in western Sichuan, China, in situ stress measurements were carried out along the Longmenshan fault zone with the purpose of obtaining stress parameters for earthquake ha...Four months after the Wenchuan Ms 8 earthquake in western Sichuan, China, in situ stress measurements were carried out along the Longmenshan fault zone with the purpose of obtaining stress parameters for earthquake hazard assessment. In-situ stresses were measured in three new boreholes by using overcoring with the piezomagnetic stress gauges for shallow depths and hydraulic fracturing for lower depths. The maximum horizontal stress in shallow depths (-20 m) is about 4.3 MPa, oriented N19°E, in the epicenter area at Yingxiu Town, about 9.7 MPa, oriented N51°W, at Baoxing County in the southwestern Longmenshan range, and about 2.6 MPa, oriented N39°E, near Kangding in the southernmost zone of the Longmenshan range. Hydraulic fracturing at borehole depths from 100 to 400 m shows a tendency towards increasing stress with depth. A comparison with the results measured before the Wenchuan earthquake along the Longmenshan zone and in the Tibetan Plateau demonstrates that the stress level remains relatively high in the southwestern segment of the Longmenshan range, and is still moderate in the epicenter zone. These results provide a key appraisal for future assessment of earthquake hazards of the Longmenshan fault zone and the aftershock occurrences of the Wenchuan earthquake.展开更多
To solve the technical cruxes of the conventional system in deep rock mass, an automatic testing system for hydraulic fracturing that includes a single tube for hydraulic loop, a pressure-relief valve, central-tubeles...To solve the technical cruxes of the conventional system in deep rock mass, an automatic testing system for hydraulic fracturing that includes a single tube for hydraulic loop, a pressure-relief valve, central-tubeless packers, and a multichannel real-time data acquisition system was used for in-situ stresses measurement at great depths (over 1000 m) in a coalfield in Juye of Northern China. The values and orientations of horizontal principal stresses were determined by the new system. The virgin stress field and its distributing law were decided by the linear regression from the logged 37 points in seven boreholes. Besides, the typical boreholes arranged in both the adjacent zone and far away zone of the faults were analyzed, respectively. The results show that a stress concentration phenomenon and a deflection in the orientation of the maximal horizontal stress exist in the adjacent zone of the faults, which further provides theoretical basis for design and optimization of mining.展开更多
To predict fracture height in hydraulic fracturing, we developed and solved a hydraulic fracture height mathematical model aiming at high stress and multi-layered complex formations based on studying the effect of pla...To predict fracture height in hydraulic fracturing, we developed and solved a hydraulic fracture height mathematical model aiming at high stress and multi-layered complex formations based on studying the effect of plastic region generated by stress concentration at fracture tip on the growth of fracture height. Moreover, we compared the results from this model with results from two other fracture height prediction models(MFEH, Frac Pro) to verify the accuracy of the model. Sensitivity analysis by case computation of the model shows that the hydraulic fracture growth in ladder pattern, and the larger the fracture height, the more obvious the ladder growth pattern is. Fracture height growth is mainly influenced by the in-situ stresses. Fracture toughness of rock can prohibit the growth of fracture height to some extent. Moreover, the increase of fracturing fluid density can facilitate the propagation of the lower fracture tip.展开更多
基金supported by the China Geological Survey Project(No.12120113038000)the National Science and Technology Major Project(2016ZX05034-003-2)the scientific research plan of the China Railway Eryuan Engineering Group CO.LTD(No.13164007)
文摘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.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52064006 and 52004072)It was.also supported by the program(Grant No.202006050112)of China Scholarship Council(CSC)for the first author's visit at the Helm-holtz Centre Potsdam,GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences.
文摘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.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 50490271)
文摘In-situ stress measurement using the hydraulic fracturing technique was made at Wanfu Coal Mine in Shandong Province, China. To solve problems caused by great measuring depth and extra thick overburden soil layers in the mine, a series of improved techniques were developed for the traditional hydraulic fracturing technique and equipment to increase their pressure-enduring ability and to ensure safe and flexible removal of the sealing packers with other experimental apparatus. Successful in-situ stress measurement at 37 points within 7 boreholes, which were mostly over 1000 m deep, was completed. Through the measurement, detailed information of in-situ stress state has been provided for mining design of the mine. The improved hydraulic fracturing technique and equipment also provide reliable tools for in-situ stress measurement at great depth of other mines.
文摘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.
文摘The Urea Oya Multipurpose Development Project (UMDP) is a water transfer, hydropower and irrigation in the south-eastern part of the central highland region of Sri Lanka. During geotechnical site investigation program 42 hydraulic fracture tests and 42 impression packer tests were carried out in 3 boreholes to about 840 m depth. Based on the stress measurements the minimum and maximum horizontal stress ratios were calculated. In situ stress computations at all the tests were based on the assumption that the principal stress components were vertical (σv) and horizontal (σH and σh, the maximum and minimum, respectively). The results of the measurements had a direct impact on the design of the major openings bearing a high overburden--the underground powerhouse and the transformer cavern--and revealed a significant optimization potential concerning the selection of the lining system of the pressure shaft.
文摘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.
基金We acknowledge financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China(4183042741872123)the National Major Research Programfor Science and Technology in China(2016ZX05043-001).
文摘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.
基金the auspice of National Key Basic Project(973)(granted No.2008CB425702)National Science and Technology Project(granted No.SinoProbe-06)
文摘Four months after the Wenchuan Ms 8 earthquake in western Sichuan, China, in situ stress measurements were carried out along the Longmenshan fault zone with the purpose of obtaining stress parameters for earthquake hazard assessment. In-situ stresses were measured in three new boreholes by using overcoring with the piezomagnetic stress gauges for shallow depths and hydraulic fracturing for lower depths. The maximum horizontal stress in shallow depths (-20 m) is about 4.3 MPa, oriented N19°E, in the epicenter area at Yingxiu Town, about 9.7 MPa, oriented N51°W, at Baoxing County in the southwestern Longmenshan range, and about 2.6 MPa, oriented N39°E, near Kangding in the southernmost zone of the Longmenshan range. Hydraulic fracturing at borehole depths from 100 to 400 m shows a tendency towards increasing stress with depth. A comparison with the results measured before the Wenchuan earthquake along the Longmenshan zone and in the Tibetan Plateau demonstrates that the stress level remains relatively high in the southwestern segment of the Longmenshan range, and is still moderate in the epicenter zone. These results provide a key appraisal for future assessment of earthquake hazards of the Longmenshan fault zone and the aftershock occurrences of the Wenchuan earthquake.
基金This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 50490271)
文摘To solve the technical cruxes of the conventional system in deep rock mass, an automatic testing system for hydraulic fracturing that includes a single tube for hydraulic loop, a pressure-relief valve, central-tubeless packers, and a multichannel real-time data acquisition system was used for in-situ stresses measurement at great depths (over 1000 m) in a coalfield in Juye of Northern China. The values and orientations of horizontal principal stresses were determined by the new system. The virgin stress field and its distributing law were decided by the linear regression from the logged 37 points in seven boreholes. Besides, the typical boreholes arranged in both the adjacent zone and far away zone of the faults were analyzed, respectively. The results show that a stress concentration phenomenon and a deflection in the orientation of the maximal horizontal stress exist in the adjacent zone of the faults, which further provides theoretical basis for design and optimization of mining.
基金Supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Heilongjiang Province of China(YQ2019E007).
文摘To predict fracture height in hydraulic fracturing, we developed and solved a hydraulic fracture height mathematical model aiming at high stress and multi-layered complex formations based on studying the effect of plastic region generated by stress concentration at fracture tip on the growth of fracture height. Moreover, we compared the results from this model with results from two other fracture height prediction models(MFEH, Frac Pro) to verify the accuracy of the model. Sensitivity analysis by case computation of the model shows that the hydraulic fracture growth in ladder pattern, and the larger the fracture height, the more obvious the ladder growth pattern is. Fracture height growth is mainly influenced by the in-situ stresses. Fracture toughness of rock can prohibit the growth of fracture height to some extent. Moreover, the increase of fracturing fluid density can facilitate the propagation of the lower fracture tip.
基金Project(42090023) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject(2020YFA0710504) supported by the National Key R&D Program of China。