Semianalytical Model for Fault Slippage Resulting from Partial Pressurization

Summary Casing failure in shale gas wells has seriously impacted production from Weiyuan and Changning fields in Sichuan Province, China. Linearly distributed microseismic data and the corresponding casing shear deformation close to these microseismic signals indicate fault reactivation in these areas during hydraulic-fracturing treatments. Apparently, interaction of hydraulic fractures with nearby faults causes fault slippage, which in some situations has led to well shearing. Hence, we propose a semianalytical model in this paper to estimate the length of slippage along the fault that is caused by pressurization of a fault intercepted by the hydraulic fracture. These calculations have been performed for different configurations of the fault with respect to the hydraulic fracture and principal stresses. Using the semianalytical model provided in this paper, two fault slippage cases are calculated to assess the casing failure in nearby wells. In one case study, the calculated results of the fault slippage are consistent with the scale of casing deformation in that well and a microseismic magnitude caused by fault slippage is calculated that is larger than the detected events. The presented model will provide a tool for a quick estimation of the magnitude of fault slippage upon intersection with a hydraulic fracture, to avoid potential casing failures and obtain a more reliable spacing selection in the wells intersecting faults.