Interaction between induced hydraulic fracture and pre-existing natural fracture in a poro-elastic environment: Effect of pore pressure change and the orientation of natural fracture

M. M. Rahman, Ali Aghighi, Sheik S. Rahman

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    46 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    This paper investigates the effect of pore pressure change on the interaction of induced hydraulic fracture and natural fracture and the effect of natural fracture orientation. Warpiniski and Teufel's interaction criteria were adopted to evaluate the fracture propagation that would occur after an induced fracture intersects an existing natural fracture. A fully coupled finite element based model is used to simulate hydraulic fracture propagation in a poroelastic formation with existing natural fracture. In order to study the effect of pore pressure change on interaction zone, a poro-elastic solution for the stresses in the interaction zone has been used as a basis for fracture interaction criteria. From the results of this study, the followings were observed when the induced fracture interacts with the natural fracture with changing pore pressure. ○ At low angles of approach with low to high differential stress, the induced fracture is arrested by the natural fracture, then the natural fracture begins to open, diverting the fracturing fluid and preventing the induced fracture from crossing. ○ At medium (60 deg and above) angles of approach fracture opening and crossing both was observed depending on the differential stress. In low differential stress opening occurred and in high differential stress (more than 600 psi) induced hydraulic fracture cross the natural fracture. ○ At high angles of approach crossing occurred at all differential stresses. ○ Pore pressure change does not have any direct impact on interaction type but it accelerates the reinnitiation pressure needed to cross the natural fracture. The pressure build up rate inside the natural fracture is influenced by the pore pressure change. This paper depicts that the effect of pore pressure change and the orientation of the natural fracture is of immense significance in hydraulic fracture propagation when it interacts with natural fracture. The study includes small to large natural fracture and low permeable formation.

    Original languageBritish English
    Title of host publicationSociety of Petroleum Engineers - SPE/IATMI Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition 2009, APOGCE 09
    Pages444-451
    Number of pages8
    StatePublished - 2009
    EventSPE/IATMI Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition 2009, APOGCE 09 - Jakarta, Indonesia
    Duration: 4 Aug 20096 Aug 2009

    Publication series

    NameSociety of Petroleum Engineers - SPE/IATMI Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition 2009, APOGCE 09
    Volume1

    Conference

    ConferenceSPE/IATMI Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition 2009, APOGCE 09
    Country/TerritoryIndonesia
    CityJakarta
    Period4/08/096/08/09

    Keywords

    • Coupled fluid
    • Fracture geometry
    • Fracture interaction
    • Fracture orientation
    • Hydraulic fracturing
    • In-situ stress
    • In-situ stresses
    • Poroelastic medium
    • Stress regime

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