Initiation mechanisms of radial drilling‐fracturing considering shale hydration and reservoir dip

Abstract

Abstract Radial drilling‐fracturing is an innovative fracturing technology that achieves superior stimulation effects. This paper develops a model for radial drilling‐fracturing in shale reservoirs, which can predict fracture initiation pressure and failure mode of shale. Compared with published models, this model additionally considers shale hydration and inclinations of boreholes and reservoir. Then, the influences of 7 factors are studied and main conclusions are as follows. First, with the angle between radial borehole and formation strike increasing, matrix failure pressure declines only around 90° and 270°. Bedding tensile failure pressure ascends and then falls back. Bedding shear failure pressure rapidly descends, then reaches a plateau, and finally rebounds. A small or large angle is favorable for bedding tensile failure. Shale tends to crack with bedding shear failure under a moderate angle and with matrix failure only at 90° and 270°. Second, with the enlargement of azimuth difference between the radial borehole and main wellbore, matrix failure pressure periodically fluctuates, forming an inverted W‐shape curve. Bedding tensile failure pressure and bedding shear failure pressure both ascend, then slide downward, and finally rise again. Besides, a small azimuth difference inclines shale to bedding shear failure, and the other failure modes tend to occur when azimuth difference is around 90°. Third, pressures required for all failure modes descend as the dip of shale formation increases. However, the difference in descending rate leads to that the increase of dip angle can incline shale to bedding shear failure. Besides, pressures required for bedding tensile failure and matrix failure decline linearly with the increasing reservoir temperature. Temperature has no impact on bedding shear failure. Hence, matrix failure and bedding tensile failure are more prone to occur in the high‐temperature reservoir. The research provides a reference for field applications of radial drilling‐fracturing in the shale reservoir.