Title: A new model for fracturing fluid leak-off in a single natural fracture

Authors: Cong Lu; Xinghao Gou; Jianchun Guo; Fuguo Xia

Addresses: State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610500, China ' Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610500, China ' State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, 610500, China ' Engineering Technology Research Institute, SinoPec Northeast Oil and Gas Branch Company, Changchun, Jilin Province, 130062, China

Abstract: Hydraulic fractures can open or penetrate natural fractures when naturally fractured oil and gas reservoirs are hydraulically fractured. Meanwhile, fracturing fluids enter the natural fractures, significantly increasing the leak-off volume. This paper proposes a new model of fracturing fluid leak-off in a single activated natural fracture, taking the deposition of solid-phase residues into account. The impact of leak-off on the viscosity of the fracturing fluids, volume concentration of the solid-phase residues, and critical natural fracture width were analysed using example calculations. The leak-off in a natural fracture mainly occurred in the beginning when the fracturing fluids enter the fracture. Within a few minutes, the viscosity of the fracturing fluids, the particle size, and dosage of solid-phase residues reached an optimal value range. The model calculation results provide guidance for the control of fracturing fluid leak-off in a natural fracture. [Received: March 8, 2016; Accepted: January 28, 2017]

Keywords: natural fracture; hydraulic fracturing; leak-off; numerical model; filling zone; fracturing fluid; oil, gas and coal technology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJOGCT.2019.098459

International Journal of Oil, Gas and Coal Technology, 2019 Vol.20 No.3, pp.282 - 303

Received: 08 Mar 2016
Accepted: 28 Jan 2017
Published online: 25 Mar 2019 *

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