There are problems of inter-fracture interference and unbalanced modification in multi-cluster fracturing within the horizontal well section. Quantifying the degree of multi-fracture interference within the section is crucial for optimizing the fracturing plan and evaluating the effect of fracturing modification. An intra-segment multi-fracture propagation model of fluid-solid coupling was established based on the phase field method. Based on this model, the influences of cluster number and fracture spacing on fracture propagation patterns were studied. Innovatively, it is proposed to take the deflection distance, the area of the compression/tension zone and the pressure difference of the fluid in the fracture as indicators to quantify the degree of inter-fracture interference. The research results show that the increase in the number of clusters within the segment significantly inhibits the propagation of the middle fracture, resulting in a decrease in the deflection distance of the fractures on both sides. When the fracture spacing increases, the deflection degree of the fractures on both sides decreases. Both the increase in the number of clusters and the fracture spacing significantly reduced the area of the compression zone. The fluid pressure difference within the fracture increases with the increase in the number of clusters (an increase of approximately 3.28 MPa from 3 clusters to 5 clusters), but decreases with the increase in the fracture spacing (a decrease of approximately 7.26 MPa from 15 m to 25 m). The research reveals the multi-fracture competitive propagation mechanism, proposes that the optimization of segment clusters needs to balance the fracture propagation range and the stress interference effect, and is verified in combination with on-site construction cases, providing a theoretical basis for the design of fracturing parameters in horizontal wells.
SHANG Zi-chen, ZHANG Li, ZHANG Jian-jun, YAN Ting-wei, WANG Bo.
Investigation into Interference Degree of Multiple Fractures within One Stage Based on Phase Field Method[J].
Science Technology and Engineering, 2026, 26(1): 142-150 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2407120
目前主流数值模拟方法主要包括:有限元法、离散元法、位移不连续法等。相场法作为一种新兴方法,通过引入一个连续的相场变量来描述材料的断裂状态,该变量在裂缝区域取值为1,在完整区域取值为0。该方法利用相场的变量实现裂缝的开启和扩展,与传统算法相比,无需预先定义裂缝路径,即可模拟裂缝的复杂路径和分支[4]。Bourdin等[5]在前人模型的基础上[6],建立了考虑裂缝面均匀压力影响的相场模型。Yoshioka等[7]分别用零相场值研究了天然裂缝对水力裂缝的影响,包括水力裂缝通过天然裂缝时的偏移情况,以及4种不同倾角天然裂缝之间的复杂相互作用。Mikelić等[8]和Wheeler等[9]将相场法(phase field method,PFM)应用于水力压裂模型,并考虑了多孔弹性效应,耦合流体压力、固体位移和损伤场对水力裂缝的扩展进行了综合求解。Mikelić等[10]模拟了水力裂缝与天然裂缝相交扩展规律。Miehe等[11]基于前人研究成果,模拟了段内4条裂缝三维扩展过程。路千里等[12]总结了基于相场法的水力裂缝扩展算法研究和应用现状,认为相场法的研究有利于非常规油气储层改造技术的发展。衡德等[13]建立了宁209X1立体井组水力压裂复杂裂缝扩展数值模型,模拟了该平台4口的压裂裂缝形态,并对井间压裂裂缝干扰机理进行了分析。安果涛等[14]利用离散元分析方法,考虑井周煤岩应力变化特征、最大周向应力准则、原始储层等条件,研究了射孔间距-倾角对压裂缝网扩展形态及延伸范围的影响规律。景东阳等[15]以鄂尔多斯盆地L井F12地层为例,采用Abaqus有限元软件进行了模拟计算,研究了施工过程中的排量以及压裂液黏度对裂缝垂面扩展规律的影响。李明耀等[16]利用相场法从细观力学尺度预测和分析了岩石三点弯曲时内部裂纹的起裂、扩展和贯通的破坏过程,分析了矿物颗粒的位置分布和能量释放率等参数对裂纹扩展行为的影响规律。
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