Title:

Multistage Hydraulic Fracturing of EGS with Application to Forge

Authors:

Dharmendra KUMAR, Ahmad GHASSEMI

Key Words:

Enhanced geothermal systems, displacement discontinuity method, stress shadowing effect, conventional zipper fracturing, modified zipper fracturing

Conference:

Stanford Geothermal Workshop

Year:

2019

Session:

Modeling

Language:

English

Paper Number:

Kumar

File Size:

2505 KB

View File:

Abstract:

The paper presents three-dimensional numerical simulations of multiple fracture propagation from horizontal wells in enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). The multistage hydraulic fracturing of horizontal wells is commonly used stimulation technique to enhance the permeability of unconventional reservoirs in the oil and gas industry. However, a detailed study of applicability and design requirements for multistage fracturing of the EGS wells is required. In this work, we use “GeoFrac-3D” which is a 3D hydraulic fracture propagation model with advanced capabilities to simulate multistage fracturing of the horizontal wells. Numerical examples of multiple horizontal wells stimulation using conventional and modified zipper fracturing are presented the U.S. Department of Energy’s FORGE (Frontier Observatory for Geothermal Energy) well(s). Conditions for planar and nonplanar growth and potential network complexities are studied. The parameters controlling the fracture geometry, upward growth and fracture interactions are investigated. The results demonstrate the fracturing fluid density can plays a role in preventing upward growth of the fractures and can in fact, promote downward growth. Results also show that hydraulic fracture in both the conventional and modified zipper fracturing techniques can coalesce at their tips, which increases chances of wells connectivity through fracture-to-fracture interference. The modified zipper fracturing generates more complex fracture network, with potentially more surface area.


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