Hydraulic Fracture Propagation in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs: Complex Fracture or Fracture Networks
arXiv:1910.01525 · doi:10.1016/j.jngse.2019.102911
Abstract
Understanding the behavior of fluid-driven hydraulic fracture in naturally fractured reservoirs is crucial in the development of geothermal energy and unconventional reservoirs. This study presents a fully-coupled numerical model to investigate hydraulic propagation in naturally fractured reservoirs, along with a comprehensive discussion on field observations. The results indicate that, contrary to our common beliefs, "Complex Fracture" rather than "Fracture Networks" is the norm in these naturally fractured reservoirs