A New Reservoir Scale Model for Fracture Propagation and Stress Reorientation in Injection Wells

TitleA New Reservoir Scale Model for Fracture Propagation and Stress Reorientation in Injection Wells
Publication TypeConference Paper
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsBhardwaj, P., R. Manchanda, J. Hwang, P. Cardiff, and M. M. Sharma
Conference Name50th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium
Date Published06/2016
PublisherAmerican Rock Mechanics Association
Conference LocationHouston, Texas, U.S.A. June 26-29, 2016
Other NumbersARMA 16-114
KeywordsFracture modeling, Water Injection / Injector Performance / Fractured Injectors
Abstract

This work describes the development of a fully three-dimensional coupled geomechanics and multiphase flow formulation to model the dynamic propagation of injection-induced fractures. A dynamic filtration model for permeability reduction is employed on the fracture to incorporate effects of internal damage and external filter cake build-up due to solids injection. The formulation is based on a finite volume implementation of the cohesive zone model for arbitrary fracture propagation coupled with multiphase flow, for multiple injection wells and fractures. Uniform, anisotropic stresses are considered in a poro-thermo-elastic reservoir domain. This is the first instance where a finite volume formulation of multiphase flow in the reservoir has been coupled with dynamic fracture propagation induced by solids plugging, in a poro-thermo-elastic domain.