Mechanisms of Fracture Propagation in Shale with Various Natural Fracture Morphologies under Multi-physics Coupling during Supercritical CO2 Fracturing
To accurately predict the propagation behavior of supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) fracturing fractures in shale reservoirs with natural fractures, was established a thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-damage (THMD) coupled numerical model was to systematically investigate the influence mechanisms of different natural fracture morphologies on fracture propagation. Results show that compared to scenarios without natural fractures, parallel natural fractures promote directional propagation of the mian fracture with an average width increase of 17.44% and <5% deflection probability. Intersecting fractures cause over 20% deflection, with significant width fluctuations during late-stage fracturing. Stepped network fractures induce multi-stage slip and discontinuous propagation, reducing the initiation pressure to 18.41 MPa and showing a branching probability of 55%~60%. Morphology-adapted optimization strategies were proposed: high-temperature, large-displacement injection for parallel fractures, stepped pressure boosting and nano-filtrate reducers to control fracture bifurcation for high-angle intersections, and composite proppants/tackifier for stepped networks. Field implementation demonstrate that optimized SC-CO2 fracturing increases effective stimulated volume by 13% and boosts peak daily oil production by 41%, confirming that morphology-adapted fracturing designs enhance fracture network stability and oil recovery efficiency.
HE Fei-peng, XU Dong-jin, MAO Hai-jun, YIN Wen-long, NIU Shu-qi, XU Zhi-wen, WU Kun, GUO Ze-chen, CHEN He-ping.
Mechanisms of Fracture Propagation in Shale with Various Natural Fracture Morphologies under Multi-physics Coupling during Supercritical CO2 Fracturing[J].
Science Technology and Engineering, 2026, 26(24): 10363-10373 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2506889
压裂研究普遍采用室内实验与数值模拟技术,由于室内实验存在尺寸效应的局限性,数值模拟技术被广泛应用于压裂设计与优化的研究[8]。中外学者对压裂裂缝起裂与扩展的数值模拟开展了许多研究。Yang等[9]在基于势能的PPR内聚区模型(Park-Paulino-Roesler potential-based cohesive zone model,PPR-CZM)中考虑孔隙压力的作用,进行煤岩水力压裂和SC-CO2压裂的裂缝扩展模拟。李建民等[10]基于块体离散元方法,构建了含层理弱面的地层数值模型,模拟不同层理的抗剪强度和抗拉强度条件下水力裂缝扩展行为。刘家庆等[11]在流-固-损伤全耦合模型基础上,引入随机裂隙几何模型,研究溶腔水压对裂隙型岩溶突涌水机理与临界条件。Cheng等[12]进一步模拟不同压裂流体类型对裂缝形态的影响,分析了层理面对裂缝扩展路径的作用。Yan等[13]构建了流固耦合模型,研究物性参数及施工参数对SC-CO2分阶段压裂的影响。Cai等[14]在建立的诱导应变模型基础上,考虑了注入压力变化对SC-CO2压裂过程中裂缝起裂与扩展的影响,验证了其在页岩气开采中的潜在优势。Jiang等[15]在相场模型中考虑CO2的作用,实现热-水-力学耦合,分析CO2与水力压裂在裂缝形态和位移特性上的差异。索彧等[16]基于内聚力单元建立了页岩气储层渗流-应力-断裂耦合模型,研究不同天然裂缝倾角、天然裂缝尺寸、应力差、压裂液排量和黏度下水力裂缝与天然裂缝扩展规律。尽管已有大量关于SC-CO2压裂起裂与扩展的研究,但既有工作多集中于流固耦合水力压裂模型,忽略了损伤演化、天然裂缝形态和温度梯度的作用,导致热-流-固-损伤(thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-damage,THMD)耦合条件下SC-CO2压裂在天然裂缝发育型页岩的行为机制尚不明确。
式(1)表征压裂过程中热输运与转化的平衡。其中,对流项$\rho_{1} C_{1}\left(T_{0}+T\right) k \nabla p / \mu $描述了SC-CO2强流动性引发的剧烈热对流;热弹性项(T0+T)K'αT∂εT/∂t则量化了由体积应变诱发的热应力,这是SC-CO2热扰动改变局部地应力场,进而影响裂缝扩展路径的关键物理过程。
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