Simulating hydraulic fracturing geometry propagation using a differential stress and pattern-based model
US11734479B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 9, 2019 |
| Grant date | Aug 22, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 18, 2040 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2113/08
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The disclosure presents a technique to generate a fracture model using a differential stress map and model inputs. The technique simulates the fracture model using fracture fronts, initiated at perforations of a perforation stage of a hydraulic fracturing (HF) wellbore. Each fracture front is evaluated using a propagation step of a fracture model process. Using the relative differential stress states, a fracture pattern is composited to the fracture model. At each propagation step, the total energy available from the simulated HF fluid being pumped into the wellbore location is reduced by the amount necessary to generate the computed fractures. Once the remaining energy is reduced to a level where no further fractures can be created, or if a map boundary is encountered, the fracture model process terminates. The generated fracture model can be communicated to update HF job plans, wellbore placements, and other uses of the fracture model.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.