Modeling of Hydraulic Fracture Network Propagation in a Naturally Fractured Formation

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing in shale gas reservoirs has often resulted in complex fracture network growth, as evidenced by microseismic monitoring. The nature and degree of fracture complexity must be clearly understood to optimize stimulation design and completion strategy. Unfortunately, the existing single planar fracture models used in the industry today are not able to simulate complex fracture networks. A new hydraulic fracture model is developed to simulate complex fracture network propagation in a formation with preexisting natural fractures. The model solves a system of equations governing fracture deformation, height growth, fluid flow, and proppant transport in a complex fracture network with…

• UF
  Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul