We recall physical evidence coming from field data for intermittent fracture advancement and pressure fluctuations in case of hydraulic fracturing. We then simulate this behavior at mesoscopic level on a heterogeneous sample of saturated rock taking into account damage. Successively we address the problem at macroscopic level with two different methods, the standard Galerkin Finite Element Method and the Extended Finite Element Method, adopting in both cases a cohesive fracture model. All simulations are carried out within the framework of Biot’s theory, the most comprehensive one for investigating the interaction between a solid phase and a fluid phase. We present three examples, one for each method and show that each time the same conclusion can be drawn.

An Explanation for the Intermittent Crack Tip Advancement and Pressure Fluctuations in Hydraulic Fracturing

MILANESE, ENRICO;RIZZATO, PAOLO;PESAVENTO, FRANCESCO;SECCHI, STEFANO;
2016

Abstract

We recall physical evidence coming from field data for intermittent fracture advancement and pressure fluctuations in case of hydraulic fracturing. We then simulate this behavior at mesoscopic level on a heterogeneous sample of saturated rock taking into account damage. Successively we address the problem at macroscopic level with two different methods, the standard Galerkin Finite Element Method and the Extended Finite Element Method, adopting in both cases a cohesive fracture model. All simulations are carried out within the framework of Biot’s theory, the most comprehensive one for investigating the interaction between a solid phase and a fluid phase. We present three examples, one for each method and show that each time the same conclusion can be drawn.
2016
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11577/3224606
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