Real-Time Simulation of Hydraulic Fracturing Using a Combined Integrated Finite Difference and Discontinuous Displacement Method: Numerical Algorithm and Field Applications

Abstract

Real-time simulation of hydraulic fracturing operations is of critical importance to the field-scale stimulation applications. In this paper, we present an efficient yet reasonably accurate program for the numerical modeling of dynamic fractures. Our program, named as FracCSM, is based on combined Integrated Finite Difference (IFD) method and Discontinuous Displacement Method (DDM). FracCSM simulates the initiation and propagation of hydraulic fractures with DDM and mass/heat transport inside fractures by IFD. The frictional loss within the wellbore is also taken into consideration. In this way, we are able to model the propped height and length of the fractures subject to the stress interference effect. Moreover, FracCSM captures the stress shadow effect of multi-stage fractures. To facilitate the monitoring and decision making during the hydraulic fracturing process, we have developed a general framework that supports real-time simulation of fracture propagation. Our developed program demonstrates sound accuracy in comparison with existing simulators. The novelty of this work is the combined simulation algorithm to simulate the multiphysical process during hydraulic fracturing operations. We will demonstrate the program structure as well as the field applications of FracCSM to the real-time simulation of hydraulic fracturing operations in Sulige tight sandstone reservoir.

Keywords

• hydraulic fracture
• numerical simulation
• Integrated Finite Difference method
• Discontinuous Displacement Method
• real-time simulation