Axial fracture initiation during diagnostic fracture injection tests and its consequences on interpretations

Yuzhe Cai, Arash Dahi Taleghani, Rui Wang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Diagnostic fracture injection tests (DFIT) are used widely in the unconventional reservoirs to obtain formation properties. These properties can be crucial in optimizing primary and infill completions. The interpretation methods are assuming that pumping fluid would create a single planar fracture, however, perforation frictions and near wellbore stress concentration may accommodate initiation of fractures along the casing first (axial fractures). The possibility of the formation of an axial fracture increases in high injection rates and low differential stresses. In this study, we investigate the effect of the formation of an additional axial fracture on a DFIT test and its interpretation, using a fully coupled geomechanics and fluid flow model. We provide a model for the initiation and closure of axial and transverse fractures during the process. We also demonstrate that the estimate of the closure stress can be misleading when presence of an additional axial fracture is ignored. Finally, we discuss a potential method to determine the maximum horizontal stress under such circumstances. In fact, the variations in cement quality, cement type and its placement play roles in linking of adjacent perforations and form axial fractures, therefore it might be difficult to establish a safe perforation design to avoid initiation of axial fractures, but we can adjust our analysis to incorporate axial fractures effect.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSociety of Petroleum Engineers - SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition 2021, ATCE 2021
PublisherSociety of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)
ISBN (Electronic)9781613997864
DOIs
StatePublished - 2021
EventSPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition 2021, ATCE 2021 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Duration: Sep 21 2021Sep 23 2021

Publication series

NameProceedings - SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition
Volume2021-September
ISSN (Electronic)2638-6712

Conference

ConferenceSPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition 2021, ATCE 2021
Country/TerritoryUnited Arab Emirates
CityDubai
Period9/21/219/23/21

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Fuel Technology
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology

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