Bo Wang¹, Fuyang Wu², Zifeng Chen², Libin Dai¹, Yifan Dong¹, Xiaotao Gao³, Zongfa Li^2,*

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.21, No.11, pp. 2701-2719, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2025.067298 - 01 December 2025

Abstract Tight gas reservoirs are often characterized by pronounced heterogeneity and poor continuity, resulting in wide variability in production enhancement and net present value (NPV) for different geological parameter combinations (see e.g., the Ordos Basin). The conditions governing geological adaptability remain insufficiently defined. To address these challenges, this study integrates large-volume hydraulic fracturing, numerical production simulation, and economic evaluation to elucidate the mechanisms by which large-scale fracturing enhances fracture parameters in tight gas formations. The analysis reveals that, for identical proppant and fluid volumes, increasing the fracturing injection rate leads to longer and taller fractures. Over… More >

Xin Wan¹, Shuyi Li^2,3, Tiankui Guo^2,3,*, Ming Chen^2,3, Xing Yang^2,3, Guchang Zhang^2,3, Zi’ang Wang^2,3

Energy Engineering, Vol.122, No.8, pp. 3013-3039, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.066033 - 24 July 2025

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing is a key technology for the efficient development of deep oil and gas reservoirs. However, fracture propagation behavior is influenced by rock elastoplasticity and thermal stress, making it difficult for traditional linear elastic models to accurately describe its dynamic response. To address this, this study employs the Continuum-Discontinuum Element Method (CDEM), incorporating an elastoplastic constitutive model, thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) coupling effects, and cohesive zone characteristics at the fracture tip to establish a numerical model for hydraulic fracture propagation in deep elastoplastic reservoirs. A systematic investigation was conducted into the effects of fluid viscosity, reservoir… More > Graphic Abstract

Manqing Qian^*, Xiyu Chen, Yongming Li

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.21, No.6, pp. 1353-1377, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2025.061652 - 30 June 2025

Abstract Shale reservoirs are characterized by numerous geological discontinuities, such as bedding planes, and exhibit pronounced heterogeneity across rock layers separated by these planes. Bedding planes often possess distinct mechanical properties compared to the surrounding rock matrix, particularly in terms of damage and fracture behavior. Consequently, vertical propagation of hydraulic fractures is influenced by both bedding planes and the heterogeneity. In this study, a numerical investigation into the height growth of hydraulic fractures was conducted using the finite element method, incorporating zero-thickness cohesive elements. The analysis explored the effects of bedding planes, toughness contrasts between layers,… More >

Xuesong Xing¹, Li Wang¹, Guangai Wu¹, Chengyong Peng^1,2,3, Yanan Hou¹, Jingyu Zi¹, Biao Yin^2,3,*

Energy Engineering, Vol.122, No.7, pp. 2911-2930, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.065384 - 27 June 2025

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing, an effective method for enhancing coal seam productivity, largely determines coalbed methane (CBM) production, which is significantly influenced by geological and engineering factors. This study focuses on the L block to investigate the mechanisms influencing efficient fracture propagation and enhanced stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) in fracturing. To explore the mechanisms influencing effective fracture propagation and enhanced SRV, the L block was selected as the research object, with a comprehensive consideration of geological background, reservoir properties, and dynamic production data. By combining the discrete lattice method with numerical analysis and true triaxial experimental simulation,… More >

Zhuang Liu^1,*, Tingen Fan¹, Qianli Lu², Jianchun Guo², Renfeng Yang¹, Haifeng Wang¹

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.21, No.4, pp. 851-876, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2024.056729 - 06 May 2025

Abstract Thermal shock damage in deep shale hydraulic fracturing can impact fracture propagation behaviors, potentially leading to the formation of complex fractures and enhancing gas recovery. This study introduces a thermal-hydraulic-mechnical (THM) coupled fracture propagation model relying on the phase field method to simulate thermal shock-induced fracturing in the deep shale considering dynamic temperature conditions. The validity of this model is confirmed through comparison of experimental and numerical results concerning the THM-coupled stress field and thermal cracking. Special attention is paid to the interaction of thermal shock-induced fractures in deep shale that contains weak planes. More >

Weiping Ouyang^1,2, Luoyi Huang^3,*, Jinghua Liu^3,*, Hongzhong Zhang^1,2

Energy Engineering, Vol.122, No.4, pp. 1491-1509, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.061171 - 31 March 2025

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing is a crucial technique for efficient development of coal reservoirs. Coal rocks typically contain a high density of natural fractures, which serve as conduits for fracturing fluid. Upon injection, the fluid infiltrates these natural fractures and leaks out, resulting in complex fracture morphology. The prediction of hydraulic fracture network propagation for coal reservoirs has important practical significance for evaluating hydraulic fracturing. This study proposes a novel inversion method for predicting fracture networks in coal reservoirs, explicitly considering the distribution of natural fractures. The method incorporates three distinct natural fracture opening modes and employs… More >

Mingqiang Wei^1,*, Neng Yang¹, Han Zou², Anhao Li³, Yonggang Duan¹

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.21, No.2, pp. 309-324, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2024.058454 - 06 March 2025

Abstract A precise diagnosis of the complex post-fracturing characteristics and parameter variations in tight gas reservoirs is essential for optimizing fracturing technology, enhancing treatment effectiveness, and assessing post-fracturing production capacity. Tight gas reservoirs face challenges due to the interaction between natural fractures and induced fractures. To address these issues, a theoretical model for diagnosing fractures under varying leak-off mechanisms has been developed, incorporating the closure behavior of natural fractures. This model, grounded in material balance theory, also accounts for shut-in pressure. The study derived and plotted typical G-function charts, which capture fracture behavior during closure. By More > Graphic Abstract

Chengyong Peng¹, Jianshu Wu¹, Mao Jiang¹, Biao Yin^2,3,*, Yishan Lou^2,3

Energy Engineering, Vol.122, No.1, pp. 185-201, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ee.2024.056062 - 27 December 2024

Abstract To analyze the differences in the transport and distribution of different types of proppants and to address issues such as the short effective support of proppant and poor placement in hydraulically intersecting fractures, this study considered the combined impact of geological-engineering factors on conductivity. Using reservoir production parameters and the discrete element method, multispherical proppants were constructed. Additionally, a 3D fracture model, based on the specified conditions of the L block, employed coupled (Computational Fluid Dynamics) CFD-DEM (Discrete Element Method) for joint simulations to quantitatively analyze the transport and placement patterns of multispherical proppants in… More > Graphic Abstract

Yuanyuan Yang¹, Xian Shi^1,2,*, Cheng Ji³, Yujie Yan³, Na An³, Teng Zhang⁴

Energy Engineering, Vol.121, No.12, pp. 3667-3688, 2024, DOI:10.32604/ee.2024.056266 - 22 November 2024

Abstract Based on a geology-engineering sweet spot evaluation, the high-quality reservoir zones and horizontal well landing points were determined. Subsequently, fracture propagation and production were simulated with a multilayer fracturing scenario. The optimal hydraulic fracturing strategy for the multilayer fracturing network was determined by introducing a vertical asymmetry factor. This strategy aimed to minimize stress shadowing effects in the vertical direction while maximizing the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV). The study found that the small vertical layer spacing of high-quality reservoirs and the presence of stress-masking layers (with a stress difference of approximately 3~8 MPa) indicate that… More > Graphic Abstract

Shangjun Gao^1,2, Yang Yang¹, Man Chen¹, Jian Zheng¹, Luqi Qin^2,*, Xiangyu Liu², Jianying Yang¹

Energy Engineering, Vol.121, No.11, pp. 3305-3329, 2024, DOI:10.32604/ee.2024.053622 - 21 October 2024

Abstract Horizontal well drilling and multi-stage hydraulic fracturing are key technologies for the development of shale gas reservoirs. Instantaneous acquisition of hydraulic fracture parameters is crucial for evaluating fracturing effectiveness, optimizing processes, and predicting gas productivity. This paper establishes a transient flow model for shale gas wells based on the boundary element method, achieving the characterization of stimulated reservoir volume for a single stage. By integrating pressure monitoring data following the pumping shut-in period of hydraulic fracturing for well testing interpretation, a workflow for inverting fracture parameters of shale gas wells is established. This new method… More >