Probing the influence of secondary fracture connectivity on fracturing fluid flowback efficiency

A deep understanding of the geometric impacts of fracture on fracturing fluid flowback efficiency is essential for unconventional oil development. Using nuclear magnetic resonance and 2.5-dimensional matrix-fracture visualization microfluidic models, qualitative and quantitative descriptions of the influences of connectivity between primary fracture and secondary fracture on flowback were given from core scale to pore network scale. The flow patterns of oil-gel breaking fluid two-phase flow during flowback under different fracture connectivity were analyzed. We found some counterintuitive results that non-connected secondary fracture (NCSF, not connect with artificial primary fracture and embedded in the matrix) is detrimental to flowbackefficiency. The NCSF accelerates the formation of oil channeling during flowback, resulting in a large amount of fracturing fluid trapped in the matrix, which is not beneficial for flowback. Whereas the connected secondary fracture (CSF, connected with the artificial primary fracture) is conducive to flowback. The walls of CSF become part of primary fracture, which expands the drainage area with low resistance, and delays the formation of the oil flow channel. Thus, CSF increases the high-speed flowback stage duration, thereby enhancing the flowback efficiency. The fracturing fluid flowback efficiency investigated here follows the sequence of the connected secondary fracture model (72%) > the matrix model (66%) > the non-connected secondary fracture model (38%). Our results contribute to hydraulic fracturing design and the prediction of flowback efficiency.

Structural Traces of Secondary Faults(Fractures) along the Main Faults and Their Reliability as Kinematic Indicators

Secondary/minor structures occurring along the main fault surfaces are important indicators for judging the kinematic characteristics of faults.However,many factors can lead to the formation of these structures,which results in the difficulty for rapid judgment and application in the fields.A series of secondary faults/fractures developed due to the movement of main faults are the most important and widespread phenomena in the scope of brittle deformation.The morphology of the main fault surfaces is various,and former researchers mainly discussed the structures on the main even fault surfaces. However,the fluctuation of fault surfaces is the intrinsic character of the faults,and the intersection between the main fault and secondary faults/fractures can produce a series of kinematic indicators on the main fault surfaces.Based on previous studies and our observations,i.e.the structural traces of the P,R,R',T and X shears/faults along the main faults,some indicators which are rarely reported previously,are described in the paper.Furthermore,their reliabilities are also discussed,and more practical and reliable criteria are brought forward.We suggest that the simple application of congruous and incongruous steps without knowing their exact origins should be abandoned in the fields,and several types of indicators along one fault surface should be checked with each other as much as possible.Meanwhile,the origins of some other arcuate indicators on the fault surfaces are also discussed,and new models are brought forward.

Techniques for improving fracture-controlled stimulated reservoir volume in ultra-deep fractured tight reservoirs: A case study of Kuqa piedmont clastic reservoirs, Tarim Basin, NW China

Based on analysis of the reasons for low efficiency and low production after fracturing of some wells in the ultra-deep fractured tight reservoirs of the Kuqa piedmont zone, Tarim Basin and the matching relationship between the in-situ stress field and natural fractures, technological methods for creating complex fracture networks are proposed. Through theoretical study and large-scale physical simulation experiments, the mechanical conditions for forming complex fracture network in the Kuqa piedmont ultra-deep reservoirs are determined. The effectiveness of temporary plugging and diversion, and multi-stage fracturing to activate natural fractures and consequently realize multi-stage diversion is verified. The coupling effect of hydraulic fractures and natural fractures activating each other and resulting in "fracture swarms" is observed. These insights provide theoretical support for improving fracture-controlled stimulated reservoir volume(FSRV) in ultra-deep tight reservoirs. In addition, following the concept of volume fracturing technology and based on the results of fracture conductivity experiments of different processes, fracturing technologies such as multi-stage fracture-network acid fracturing, "multi-stage temporary plugging + secondary fracturing", fracturing of multiple small layers by vertically softness-and-hardness-oriented subdivision, and weighted-fluid refracturing are proposed to increase the FSRV. New environment-friendly weighted-fluid with low cost and new fracturing fluid system with low viscosity and high proppant-carrying capacity are also developed. These techniques have achieved remarkable results in field application.

Mechanical analysis of en echelon structure and its significance of controlling earthquakes

The paper deals with the mechanical origin and rules of en echelon folds and their secondary fractures by means of elastic stability theory and nonlinear fracture criterion.Obtains the quantitative relations among en echelon angles of en echelon folds,ratios of boundary stresses and en echelon pitches of shear zone under an action of general boundary forces(tension shear,pure shear or compression shear).As an applied example,the paper researches the displacement field,stress field,distortion energy distribution, state of secondary fractures and energy released by fracturing of en echelon fold structure developed at the east foot of Taihang Mountain.The results of research show that maximum principal (compressive) stresses,maximum shear stresses,high value area of distortion energy are in the nuclear parts of en echelon folds.In these parts compressive fractures were easily developed in approximately parallel with fold axis.So it is verified that the secondary fracture of en echelon folds is a mechanism controlling a strong earthquake.

Crushing and embedment of proppant packs under cyclic loading: An insight to enhanced unconventional oil/gas recovery

Crushing and embedment are two critical downhole proppant degradation mechanisms that lead to a significant drop in production outputs in unconventional oil/gas stimulation projects. These persistent production drops due to the non-linear responses of proppants under reservoir conditions put the future utilization of such advanced stimulation techniques in unconventional energy extraction in doubt. The aim of this study is to address these issues by conducting a comprehensive experimental approach. According to the results, whatever the type of proppant, all proppant packs tend to undergo significant plastic deformation under the first loading cycle.Moreover, the utilization of ceramic proppants(which retain proppant pack porosity up to 75%), larger proppant sizes(which retain proppant pack porosity up to 15.2%) and higher proppant concentrations(which retain proppant pack porosity up to 29.5%) in the fracturing stimulations with higher in-situ stresses are recommended to de-escalate the critical consequences of crushing associated issues. Similarly, the selection of resin-coated proppants over ceramic and sand proppants may benefit in terms of obtaining reduced proppant embedment.In addition, selection of smaller proppant sizes and higher proppant concentrations are suggested for stimulation projects at depth with sedimentary formations and lower in-situ stresses where proppant embedment predominates. Furthermore, correlation between proppant embedment with repetitive loading cycles was studied.Importantly, microstructural analysis of the proppant-embedded siltstone rock samples revealed that the initiation of secondary induced fractures. Finally, the findings of this study can greatly contribute to accurately select optimum proppant properties(proppant type, size and concentration) depending on the oil/gas reservoir characteristics to minimize proppant crushing and embedment effects.