A Diverse Set of Validation Experiments for Hydraulic Fracturing Simulators

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Murtadha J. AlTammar ◽  
Mukul M. Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Physical Models ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Controlled Environment ◽  
Mechanical Heterogeneity ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Numerical Predictions ◽  
Fracturing Process ◽  
Stress Contrast ◽  
Fracturing Experiments

Abstract In recent years, numerical fracturing simulation has seen an unprecedented emphasis on capturing the complexities that arise in hydraulic fracturing to better design and execute hydraulic fracturing jobs. As the need for more sophisticated simulators grows, so does the need for more sophisticated physical models that can be used to study the mechanics of the fracturing process under a controlled environment, and to validate the numerical predictions of advanced hydraulic fracturing simulators. We developed and utilized novel laboratory capabilities to perform an extensive set of fracturing experiments across various aspects of hydraulic fracture propagation including the effect of far-field stress contrast, rock mechanical heterogeneity, multi-well injection, borehole notching, fluid injection method, type of injection fluid, and interaction with natural fractures. Numerous direct observations and digital image analyses are documented to provide fundamental insights in hydraulic fracturing. As demonstrated through a few case studies from the literature, our laboratory experiments are very useful for validating hydraulic fracturing simulators due to the small-scale, two-dimensional (2-D) nature, controlled environment, and well-characterized properties of the test specimens used in the experiments.

Theoretical and Experimental Research on Hydraulic Fracturing

1980 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-98 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. Hanson ◽  
G. D. Anderson ◽  
R. J. Shaffer
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Experimental Research ◽  
Numerical Models ◽  
Normal Load ◽  
In Situ Stress ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Porous Flow ◽  
Bonded Interface ◽  
Fracturing Process ◽  
In Situ Stress Field

We are conducting a joint theoretical/experimental research program on hydraulic fracturing. Newly developed two-dimensional numerical models (which include complete descriptions of the elastic continuum and porous flow fluids) have been applied to analyze the effects of pore pressure on the fracturing process. By means of small-scale experiments, we are acquiring a better understanding of the effects of the in-situ stress field, the porosity and permeability of the solid, and the presence of interfaces or layering in the solid. Experimentally, we have been studying the growth of cracks near an interface in several materials, including polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), Nugget sandstone, and Indiana limestone. Results have shown that the mechanical properties of the interface relative to the properties of the materials on either side are important. A crack will not cross a well-bonded interface between two pieces of PMMA, even in the presence of a 13.79-MPa (2000-psi) normal load. Cracks will cross a well-bonded interface from PMMA to limestone, but not vice versa. Similarly, cracks will propagate across a bonded interface from Nugget sandstone to limestone, but not the other way. Pressure-driven cracks will cross an unbonded interface between limestone blocks at normal loads as low as 3.45 MPa (500 psi).

scholarly journals Multifractal Analysis of Acoustic Emissions during Hydraulic Fracturing Experiments under Uniaxial Loading Conditions: A Niutitang Shale Example

Geofluids ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-19
Author(s):  
Jingqiang Tan ◽  
Jun Xie ◽  
Lei Li ◽  
Qiao Lyu ◽  
Jianqiang Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Multifractal Analysis ◽  
Uniaxial Loading ◽  
Hydraulic Fractures ◽  
Time Frequency ◽  
Fracturing Process ◽  
Fracturing Experiments ◽  
Fracture Scale ◽  
Ae Signals ◽  
Multifractal Method

Fracture characterization is essential for estimating the stimulated reservoir volume and guiding subsequent hydraulic fracturing stimulations in shale reservoirs. Laboratory fracturing experiments can help provide theoretical and technical guidance for field operations. In this study, hydraulic fracturing experiments on the shale samples from Niutitang Formation in Hunan Province (China) under a uniaxial loading condition are conducted. The multifractal method is used to analyze the acoustic emission (AE) signals and characterize fracture initiation and propagation. The hydraulic fracturing process can be divided into three stages based on the characteristics of AE signals: the initial stage, the quite stage, and the fracturing stage. The multifractal analysis results showed that: (1) the value of the spectrum width, Δα, continues to increase as the energy accumulates until the fracturing stage starts; and (2) the difference in the multifractal spectrum values, Δf, reflects the relationship between small and large signal frequencies and can quantify the fracture scale, i.e., the lower the Δf, the larger the fracture scale and vice versa. The results were further verified using a time-frequency analysis of the AE signals and micro-CT scanning of the samples. This study demonstrates that the multifractal method is feasible for quantitatively characterizing hydraulic fractures and can aid field hydraulic fracturing operations.

Spatial distribution of Antarctic shrimps (Crustacea: Decapoda) by underwater photography

1991 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 363-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Gutt ◽  
M. Gorny ◽  
W. Arntz
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Continental Shelf ◽  
Weddell Sea ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Frequency Distributions ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Direct Observations ◽  
Underwater Photography ◽  
Dispersion Patterns ◽  
Eastern Weddell Sea

Three species of shrimps (Notocrangon antarcticus, Chorismus antarcticus, Nematocarcinus lanceopes) were investigated in the south-eastern Weddell Sea using of underwater photography. Maximum densities of c. 100 specimens per 100 m2 were found for N. antarcticus on the continental shelf (200–600 m) and for N. lanceopes on the slope (800–1200 m). Small-scale dispersion patterns and size-frequency distributions were analyzed within dense concentrations. These direct observations indicate that the behaviour of the three species is adapted to different habitats with Chorismus distribution correlated with that of sponges and Notocrangon with base sediment.

scholarly journals Full-waveform-based characterization of acoustic emission activity in a mine-scale experiment: a comparison of conventional and advanced hydraulic fracturing schemes

2020 ◽  
Vol 222 (1) ◽  
pp. 189-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Niemz ◽  
Simone Cesca ◽  
Sebastian Heimann ◽  
Francesco Grigoli ◽  
Sebastian von Specht ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acoustic Emission ◽  
Hydraulic Fracturing ◽  
Induced Seismicity ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Sampling Rate ◽  
Fracture Plane ◽  
B Values ◽  
Full Waveform ◽  
Scale Experiment ◽  
Fracturing Experiments

SUMMARY Understanding fracturing processes and the hydromechanical relation to induced seismicity is a key question for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). Commonly massive fluid injection, predominately causing hydroshearing, are used in large-scale EGS but also hydraulic fracturing approaches were discussed. To evaluate the applicability of hydraulic fracturing techniques in EGS, six in situ, multistage hydraulic fracturing experiments with three different injection schemes were performed under controlled conditions in crystalline rock at the Äspö Hard Rock Laboratory (Sweden). During the experiments the near-field ground motion was continuously recorded by 11 piezoelectric borehole sensors with a sampling rate of 1 MHz. The sensor network covered a volume of 30×30×30 m around a horizontal, 28-m-long injection borehole at a depth of 410 m. To extract and characterize massive, induced, high-frequency acoustic emission (AE) activity from continuous recordings, a semi-automated workflow was developed relying on full waveform based detection, classification and location procedures. The approach extended the AE catalogue from 196 triggered events in previous studies to more than 19 600 located AEs. The enhanced catalogue, for the first time, allows a detailed analysis of induced seismicity during single hydraulic fracturing experiments, including the individual fracturing stages and the comparison between injection schemes. Beside the detailed study of the spatio-temporal patterns, event clusters and the growth of seismic clouds, we estimate relative magnitudes and b-values of AEs for conventional, cyclic progressive and dynamic pulse injection schemes, the latter two being fatigue hydraulic fracturing techniques. While the conventional fracturing leads to AE patterns clustered in planar regions, indicating the generation of a single main fracture plane, the cyclic progressive injection scheme results in a more diffuse, cloud-like AE distribution, indicating the activation of a more complex fracture network. For a given amount of hydraulic energy (pressure multiplied by injected volume) pumped into the system, the cyclic progressive scheme is characterized by a lower rate of seismicity, lower maximum magnitudes and significantly larger b-values, implying an increased number of small events relative to the large ones. To our knowledge, this is the first direct comparison of high resolution seismicity in a mine-scale experiment induced by different hydraulic fracturing schemes.

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