Patent · US Active

Modeling of interaction of hydraulic fractures in complex fracture networks

US10544667B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
21References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 2, 2012
Grant dateJan 28, 2020
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 2, 2032

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01V2210/1234
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

Methods of performing a fracture operation at a wellsite with a fracture network are provided. The methods involve obtaining wellsite data and a mechanical earth model, and generating a hydraulic fracture growth pattern for the fracture network over time. The generating involves extending hydraulic fractures from a wellbore and into the fracture network of a subterranean formation to form a hydraulic fracture network, determining hydraulic fracture parameters after the extending, determining transport parameters for proppant passing through the hydraulic fracture network, and determining fracture dimensions of the hydraulic fractures from the hydraulic fracture parameters, the transport parameters and the mechanical earth model. The methods also involve performing stress shadowing on the hydraulic fractures to determine stress interference between fractures and repeating the generating based on the determined stress interference. The methods may also involve determining crossing behavior.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.