Title: Study on the disturbance law of natural fracture on ground stress field

Authors: Zhaohui Dai; Qin Li; Siyang Qiu; Xiangyi Yi; Wenling Chen; Ying Sun

Addresses: College of Energy, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610059, China ' College of Energy, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610059, China ' Sinopec Xinan Oilfield Service Corporation Downhole Operation Company, Deyang, Sichuan Province 618000, China ' College of Energy, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610059, China ' College of Energy, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610059, China ' College of Energy, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, Sichuan Province 610059, China

Abstract: The change of in-situ stress field in reservoir has a significant effect on the stability of natural fractures and the effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing. Based on the theory of fracture mechanics, a two-dimensional numerical model of reservoir rock disturbed by natural fractures is established, and the variation law and influence range of stress field around natural fractures are simulated by finite element method. The results show that: 1) the existence of natural fractures disturbs the magnitude and direction of the in-situ stress field. The range of stress disturbance increases quadratically with the increase of natural fracture length; 2) according to the compressive and tensile stress, different regions can be quantitatively divided around the natural fracture. When the natural fracture angle is 30° ~ 60°, the stress disturbance is the most obvious; 3) the degree of stress concentration at both ends of natural fractures is positively correlated with stress difference or Young's modulus. [Received: March 28, 2024; Accepted: June 28, 2024]

Keywords: ground stress field; natural fracture; geo-stress balance; stress-deflection; stress disturbance range.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2026.153756

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2026 Vol.39 No.4, pp.410 - 434

Received: 18 Mar 2024
Accepted: 28 Jun 2024
Published online: 26 May 2026 *

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