Modelling of hydraulic fracturing in weak poroelastoplastic formations

E. Sarris, P. Papanastasiou

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

Abstract

In this paper we study the influence of the insitu pore pressure on rock deformation and its implications on propagation pressures and fracture dimensions in hydraulic fracturing. The fracture propagation is performed for plain strain and mode-I loading conditions. The fracture is driven by an incompressible Newtonian viscous fl uid and leak-off is modeled to account for diffusion effects. The cohesive zone model (CZM) is used as the propagation criterion. The Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion is utilized for describing the deformation of the medium. From the analyses performed for fractures driven in formations with elevated pore pressure fi elds we found increased plastic yielding, high propagation pressures and wider fracture profi les. These results can explain partially the differences between fi eld measurements and conventional model predictions.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationComputer Methods for Geomechanics
Subtitle of host publicationFrontiers and New Applications
Pages684-689
Number of pages6
Volume2
Publication statusPublished - 2011
Event13th International Conference of the International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics, IACMAG 2011 - Melbourne, VIC, Australia
Duration: 9 May 201111 May 2011

Other

Other13th International Conference of the International Association for Computer Methods and Advances in Geomechanics, IACMAG 2011
Country/TerritoryAustralia
CityMelbourne, VIC
Period9/05/1111/05/11

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