Modeling of Hydraulic Fracture Propagation in Real Heterogeneous Conglomerates from the Mahu Oilfield using the Global Cohesive Zone Method

Mingyang Zhang; Yanying Chen; Ming Yue; Ninghong Jia; Weifeng Lyu; Amer Alizadeh; Haoran Cheng; Chiyu Xie

doi:10.69631/taka2w77

Authors

Mingyang Zhang Beihang University, School of Astronautics, Beijing, China
Yanying Chen University of Science and Technology Beijing, School of Civil and Resource Engineering, Beijing, China https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0949-3610
Ming Yue University of Science and Technology Beijing, School of Civil and Resource Engineering, Beijing, China
Ninghong Jia Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChina, Beijing, China
Weifeng Lyu Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChina, Beijing, China
Amer Alizadeh University of Birmingham, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Birmingham, UK https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9578-2313
Haoran Cheng Sichuan Energy Internet Research Institute Tsinghua University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Qingdao University of Science and Technology, School of Chemical Engineering, Qingdao, Shandong, China https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4284-9235
Chiyu Xie Beihang University, School of Astronautics, Beijing, China; State Key Laboratory of High-Efficiency Reusable Aerospace Transportation Technology, Beijing, China; Ningbo Institute of Technology, Beihang University, Ningbo, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.69631/taka2w77

Keywords:

Hydraulic fracturing, Heterogeneous conglomerate, Mahu area, cohesive zone method

Abstract

Hydraulic fracturing enhances production in unconventional reservoirs but is challenged by reservoir heterogeneity, which complicates fracture propagation and reduces the efficiency of conglomerate reservoir development. The Mahu area in Xinjiang, a major petroleum reservoir in western China, is rich in oil and gas but features highly heterogeneous geological structures that complicate hydraulic fracturing and hydrocarbon extraction. In this study, we analyzed both homogeneous and heterogeneous core samples from the Mahu area. Real pore structures and gravel compositions were obtained using Computed Tomography (CT) and Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by Scanning Electron Microscopy (QEMSCAN). The Global Pore-Pressure Cohesive Zone (GPPCZ) model was applied to study the impact of heterogeneity on fracture propagation, considering differences in the mechanical properties of the matrix, gravel, and interfaces. Results showed that fractures tend to propagate in regions with lower critical fracture energy. In heterogeneous cores, fractures were more likely to deflect around gravel and bifurcate, forming complex networks. Peak propagation velocity occurred at interface contacts, but homogeneous cores exhibited faster propagation under the same stress conditions. This work provides theoretical support for optimizing hydraulic fracturing strategies in heterogeneous conglomerate reservoirs such as the complex Mahu area.

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