Mechanisms of Fracture Propagation in Shale with Various Natural Fracture Morphologies under Multi-physics Coupling during Supercritical CO2 Fracturing

Fei-peng HE , Dong-jin XU , Hai-jun MAO , Wen-long YIN , Shu-qi NIU , Zhi-wen XU , Kun WU , Ze-chen GUO , He-ping CHEN

Science Technology and Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (24) : 10363 -10373.

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Science Technology and Engineering ›› 2026, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (24) : 10363-10373 DOI: 10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2506889
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Mechanisms of Fracture Propagation in Shale with Various Natural Fracture Morphologies under Multi-physics Coupling during Supercritical CO2 Fracturing
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Abstract

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.

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shale / natural fracture morphology / supercritical CO2 fracturing / thermal-hydraulic-mechanical-damage (THMD) coupling / fracture propagation

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Fei-peng HE, Dong-jin XU, Hai-jun MAO, Wen-long YIN, Shu-qi NIU, Zhi-wen XU, Kun WU, Ze-chen GUO, He-ping CHEN. Mechanisms of Fracture Propagation in Shale with Various Natural Fracture Morphologies under Multi-physics Coupling during Supercritical CO2 Fracturing. Science Technology and Engineering, 2026, 26(24): 10363-10373 DOI:10.12404/j.issn.1671-1815.2506889

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