Morphology of multiple constant height hydraulic fractures versus propagation regime

TL;DR

This study investigates the morphology of multiple simultaneous hydraulic fractures, revealing how stress interactions and propagation regimes influence fracture shapes, with a focus on constant height fractures and the controlling dimensionless parameter.

Contribution

It introduces a dimensionless parameter that governs fracture morphology and compares toughness and viscosity dominated regimes in hydraulic fracture propagation.

Findings

Stress interaction varies with parameters, affecting fracture geometry.

Toughness dominated fractures develop complex shapes.

Viscosity dominated fractures are more regular and uniform.

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate morphology of simultaneously propagating hydraulic fractures. Simultaneous propagation of hydraulic fractures occurs during stimulation of horizontal wells, and, in particular, several initiation points or perforation intervals along the well are often used to promote the growth of multiple hydraulic fractures at the same time. Numerical simulations demonstrate that there are situations, in which stress interaction between the fractures is minimal and this results in a very similar geometry of each fracture. At the same time, for some other parameters, the stress interaction is very strong, so that the fractures interact with each other and develop complex shapes. By focusing on the constant height hydraulic fractures, it is shown that there is a dimensionless parameter that controls such a behavior. In particular, fractures propagating in the toughness dominated regime lead to complex shapes, while when fluid viscosity dominates the response, then the fractures are more regular and uniform. A series of numerical examples is presented to illustrate the findings.