Fang Shi1,*, Daobing Wang2, Xiaogang Chen1
CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.127, No.2, pp. 575-598, 2021, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2021.015384
Abstract Field data suggests that carbonate reservoirs contain abundant natural fractures and cavities. The propagation
mechanisms of hydraulic fractures in fracture-cavity reservoirs are different from conventional reservoirs on
account of the stress concentration surrounding cavities. In this paper, we develop a fully coupled numerical model
using the extended finite element method (XFEM) to investigate the behaviors and propagation mechanisms of
hydraulic fractures in fracture-cavity reservoirs. Simulation results show that a higher lateral stress coefficient can
enhance the influence of the natural cavity, causing a more curved fracture path. However, lower confining stress or
smaller in-situ stress difference can reduce this influence,… More >
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