Top

Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering

Published in:

22-05-2021 | Original Paper

Investigation on Reservoir Stimulation Characteristics in Hot Dry Rock Geothermal Formations of China During Hydraulic Fracturing

Authors: Yuxiang Cheng, Yanjun Zhang, Ziwang Yu, Zhongjun Hu

Published in: Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering | Issue 8/2021

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config

AI-assisted search

Off

Abstract

Geothermal energy has been widely proposed as a potential renewable energy to replace traditional fossil fuel energy. Hot dry rock (HDR) reservoir which contains abundant geothermal energy widely distributes in China. The Gonghe Basin in Northwest China is chosen to develop the Chinese first HDR field operation project. HDR is a low-permeability, high temperature and hard granite without fluid. Developing HDR requires water cyclically flowing between injection and production wells to extract heat energy. Hydraulic fracturing, as a key reservoir stimulation technology, can create the path of fluid cyclically flowing. However, few studies have investigated hydraulic induced artificial fractures in HDR geothermal formations. This paper investigated HDR geothermal reservoir stimulation characteristics and fracture patterns during hydraulic fracturing. Reservoir stimulation was conducted with a true triaxial hydraulic fracturing apparatus which could establish a real HDR formation environment in the laboratory. The factors affecting breakdown pressure and fracture creation were investigated via experiments and numerical simulations. This study could be used to evaluate and design reservoir stimulation in field HDR geothermal operation.

previous article Seismic Performance Assessment of Velocity Pulse-Like Ground Motions Under Near-Field Earthquakes

next article A New DIC-Based Method to Identify the Crack Mechanism and Applications in Fracture Analysis of Red Sandstone Containing a Single Flaw

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

über 102.000 Bücher
über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

Automobil + Motoren
Bauwesen + Immobilien
Business IT + Informatik
Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
Finance + Banking
Management + Führung
Marketing + Vertrieb
Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

inform now

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

über 67.000 Bücher
über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

Automobil + Motoren
Bauwesen + Immobilien
Business IT + Informatik
Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

inform now

Available only for authorised users

AB SK (2010) Data report for the safety assessment SR-Site. Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Co., Swedish

Al-Busaidi A, Hazzard JF, Young RP (2005) Distinct element modeling of hydraulically fractured Lac du Bonnet granite. J Geophys Res-Sol Ea. https://doi.org/10.1029/2004jb003297CrossRef

Al-Shayea N, Khan K, Abduljauwad S (2000) Effects of confining pressure and temperature on mixed-mode (I–II) fracture toughness of a limestone rock. J Int J Rock Mechan Mining Sci 37:629–643CrossRef

Alm O, Jaktlund L-L, Shaoquan KJ (1985) The influence of microcrack density on the elastic and fracture mechanical properties of Stripa granite. Phys Earth Planet in 40:161–179CrossRef

Barbier E (2002) Geothermal Energy Technology and Current Status: an Overview. Renew Sust Energ Rev 6:3–65CrossRef

Baujard C et al (2017) Hydrothermal characterization of wells GRT-1 and GRT-2 in Rittershoffen, France: Implications on the understanding of natural flow systems in the Rhine. Graben Geothermics 65:255–268CrossRef

Bayer P, Attard G, Blum P, Menberg K (2019) The geothermal potential of cities. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 106:17–30CrossRef

Bennour Z et al (2015) Crack extension in hydraulic fracturing of shale cores using viscous oil, water, and liquid carbon dioxide. Rock Mech Rock Eng 48:1463–1473CrossRef

Bertani R (2012) Geothermal power generation in the world 2005–2010 update report. Geothermics 41:1–29CrossRef

Bing H, Mian C, Zhimeng L, Yonghui W, Ce D (2014) Propagation area evaluation of hydraulic fracture networks in shale gas reservoirs. Petrol Explor Dev+ 41:833–838CrossRef

Bohloli B, de Pater CJ (2006) Experimental study on hydraulic fracturing of soft rocks: influence of fluid rheology and confining stress. J Petrol Sci Eng 53:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2006.01.009CrossRef

Brantut N, Heap MJ, Meredith PG, Baud P (2013) Time-dependent cracking and brittle creep in crustal rocks: a review. J Struct Geol 52:17–43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2013.03.007CrossRef

Cai M (2010) Practical estimates of tensile strength and hoek-brown strength parameter m(i) of brittle rocks. Rock Mech Rock Eng 43:167–184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-009-0053-1CrossRef

Chitrala Y, Moreno C, Sondergeld C, Rai C (2013) An experimental investigation into hydraulic fracture propagation under different applied stresses in tight sands using acoustic emissions. J Petrol Sci Eng 108:151–161. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2013.01.002CrossRef

Cho N, Martin D, Sego DC (2007) A clumped particle model for rock. Int J Rock Mechan Mining Sci 44:997–1010

Cook B, Lee M, DiGiovanni A, Bronowski D, Perkins E, Williams J (2004) Discrete element modeling applied to laboratory simulation of near-wellbore mechanics J. Int J Geomech 4:19–27CrossRef

de Lemos JASV (1987) A distinct element model for dynamic analysis of jointed rock with application to dam foundations and fault motion. University Microfilms

Dwivedi RD, Goel RK, Prasad VVR, Sinha A (2008) Thermo-mechanical properties of Indian and other granites. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 45:303–315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2007.05.008CrossRef

Fallahzadeh S, Hossain M, James Cornwell A, Rasouli V (2017) Near wellbore hydraulic fracture propagation from perforations in tight rocks: the roles of fracturing fluid viscosity and injection rate. Energies. https://doi.org/10.3390/en10030359CrossRef

Fan T-g, Zhang G-q (2014a) Laboratory investigation of hydraulic fracture networks in formations with continuous orthogonal fractures. Energy 74:164–173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2014.05.037CrossRef

Faoro I, Vinciguerra S, Marone C, Elsworth D, Schubnel A (2013) Linking permeability to crack density evolution in thermally stressed rocks under cyclic loading. Geophys Res Lett 40:2590–2595CrossRef

Frash LP, Gutierrez M, Hampton J (2014) True-triaxial apparatus for simulation of hydraulically fractured multi-borehole hot dry rock reservoirs. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 70:496–506. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2014.05.017CrossRef

Frash LP, Gutierrez M, Hampton J, Hood J (2015) Laboratory simulation of binary and triple well EGS in large granite blocks using AE events for drilling guidance. Geothermics 55:1–15CrossRef

Fu W, Ames BC, Bunger AP, Savitski A (2016) Impact of partially cemented and non-persistent natural fractures on hydraulic fracture propagation. Rock Mech Rock Eng 49:4519–4526CrossRef

Funatsu T, Kuruppu M, Matsui K (2014) Effects of temperature and confining pressure on mixed-mode (I- II) and mode II fracture toughness of Kimachi sandstone. Int J Rock Mechan Mining Sci 67:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2013.12.009CrossRef

Griffiths L, Heap M, Baud P, Schmittbuhl J (2017) Quantification of microcrack characteristics and implications for stiffness and strength of granite. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 100:138–150CrossRef

Griffiths L, Lengline O, Heap MJ, Baud P, Schmittbuhl J (2018) Thermal cracking in westerly granite monitored using direct wave velocity. Coda Wave Interferometry, and Acoustic Emissions J Geophys Res-Sol Ea 123:2246–2261. https://doi.org/10.1002/2017jb015191CrossRef

Guo F, Morgenstern N, Scott J (1993) Interpretation of hydraulic fracturing breakdown pressure. Int J Rock Mech Min 30:617–626CrossRef

Haimson B, Fairhurst C (1967) Initiation and extension of hydraulic fractures in rocks. Soc Petrol Eng J 7:310–318CrossRef

Han Z, Zhou J, Zhang L (2018) Influence of grain size heterogeneity and in-situ stress on the hydraulic fracturing process by PFC2D modelling. Energies 11:1413CrossRef

Hanano M (2004) Contribution of fractures to formation and production of geothermal resources. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 8:223–236CrossRef

Hazzard JF, Young RP, Oates SJ (2002) Numerical modeling of seismicity induced by fluid injection in a fractured reservoir. In: Proceedings of the 5th North American rock mechanics symposium mining and tunnel innovation and opportunity, Toronto. Citeseer, pp 1023–1030

He J, Lin C, Li X, Wan X (2016) Experimental investigation of crack extension patterns in hydraulic fracturing with shale sandstone and granite cores. Energies. https://doi.org/10.3390/en9121018CrossRef

Höekmark H, Faelth B, Wallroth T (2006) THM couplings in rock. Overview of results of importance to the SR-Can safety assessment. Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Co., Swedish

Hofmann H, Babadagli T, Zimmermann G (2014) Numerical simulation of complex fracture network development by hydraulic fracturing in naturally fractured ultratight formations. J Energ Resour-Asme. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4028690CrossRef

Hökmark H, Lönnqvist M, Fälth B (2010) THM-issues in repository rock. Thermal, mechanical, thermo-mechanical and hydro-mechanical evolution of the rock at the Forsmark and Laxemar sites. Swedish Nuclear Fuel and Waste Management Co

Homand-Etienne F, Houpert R (1989) Thermally induced microcracking in granites: characterization and analysis. Int J Rock Mech Min 26:125–134CrossRef

Hossain MM, Rahman MK, Rahman SS (2000) Hydraulic fracture initiation and propagation: roles of wellbore trajectory, perforation and stress regimes. J Petrol Sci Eng 27:129–149. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0920-4105(00)00056-5CrossRef

Howard GC, Fast C (1957) Optimum fluid characteristics for fracture extension. In: Drilling and production practice, New York, vol API-57–261. American Petroleum Institute, p 10

Hubbert MK, Willis DG (1957) Mechanics of Hydraulic Fracturing. Petroleum Transactions AIME 210:153–163CrossRef

Ishida T, Chen Q, Mizuta Y, Roegiers J-C (2004) Influence of fluid viscosity on the hydraulic fracturing mechanism. J Energ Resour-Asme 126:190–200CrossRef

Ivars DM, Pierce ME, Darcel C, Reyes-Montes J, Potyondy DO, Young RP, Cundall PA (2011) The synthetic rock mass approach for jointed rock mass modelling. Int J Rock Mechan Mining Sci 48:219–244CrossRef

Jansen D, Carlson S, Young R, Hutchins D (1993) Ultrasonic imaging and acoustic emission monitoring of thermally induced microcracks in Lac du Bonnet granite . J Geophys Res Solid Earth 98:22231–22243CrossRef

Jeffrey RG, Chen ZR, Zhang X, Bunger AP, Mills KW (2015) Measurement and analysis of full-scale hydraulic fracture initiation and reorientation. Rock Mech Rock Eng 48:2497–2512. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-015-0846-3CrossRef

Jin X, Shah SN, Roegiers J-C, Hou B (2013) Breakdown pressure determination-a fracture mechanics approach. In: SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition. Society of Petroleum Engineers

Kreith F, Black WZ (1980) Basic heat transfer. Harper & Row New York

Kresse O, Weng X, Chuprakov D, Prioul R, Cohen C (2013) Effect of flow rate and viscosity on complex fracture development in UFM model. In: ISRM International Conference for Effective and Sustainable Hydraulic Fracturing. International Society for Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering

Kumari WGP, Ranjith PG, Perera MBA, Chen BK, Abdulagatov IM (2017a) Temperature-dependent mechanical behaviour of Australian Strathbogie granite with different cooling treatments. Eng Geol 229:31–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2017.09.012CrossRef

Kumari WGP et al (2017b) Mechanical behaviour of Australian Strathbogie granite under in-situ stress and temperature conditions: an application to geothermal energy extraction. Geothermics 65:44–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2016.07.002CrossRef

Lei Z et al (2019) Exploratory research into the enhanced geothermal system power generation project: the Qiabuqia geothermal field Northwest China. Renew Energ 139:52–70CrossRef

Lemos J, Lorig L (1990) Hydromechanical modelling of jointed rock masses using the distinct element method. In: International conference on mechanics of jointed and faulted rock. pp 605–612

Li L, Xia Y, Huang B, Zhang L, Li M, Li A (2016) The behaviour of fracture growth in sedimentary rocks: a numerical study based on hydraulic fracturing processes. Energies. https://doi.org/10.3390/en9030169CrossRef

Lian ZH, Yu H, Lin TJ, Guo JH (2015) A study on casing deformation failure during multi-stage hydraulic fracturing for the stimulated reservoir volume of horizontal shale wells. J Nat Gas Sci Eng 23:538–546. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jngse.2015.02.028CrossRef

Lin C, He JM, Li X, Wan XL, Zheng B (2017) An experimental investigation into the effects of the anisotropy of shale on hydraulic fracture propagation. Rock Mech Rock Eng 50:543–554. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-016-1136-4CrossRef

Lu S-M (2018) A global review of enhanced geothermal system (EGS). Renew Sust Energ Rev 81:2902–2921CrossRef

Lund JW, Boyd TL (2016) Direct utilization of geothermal energy 2015 worldwide review. Geothermics 60:66–93CrossRef

Ma Y, Zhang Y, Huang Y, Zhang Y, Hu Z (2019) Experimental study on flow and heat transfer characteristics of water flowing through a rock fracture induced by hydraulic fracturing for an enhanced geothermal system. Appl Therm Eng 154:433–441CrossRef

Ma X, Zoback MD (2017) Laboratory experiments simulating poroelastic stress changes associated with depletion and injection in low-porosity sedimentary rocks . J Geophys Res Solid Earth 122:2478–2503. https://doi.org/10.1002/2016jb013668CrossRef

Magraner T, Montero A, Quilis S (2010) Comparison between design and actual energy performance of a HVAC-ground coupled heat pump system in cooling and heating operation. Energ Buildings 42:1394–1401CrossRef

Moya D, Aldás C, Kaparaju P (2018) Geothermal energy: Power plant technology and direct heat applications. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 94:889–901CrossRef

Nagel NB, Gil I, Sanchez-Nagel M, Damjanac B (2011) Simulating hydraulic fracturing in real fractured rocks-overcjavascript: Iterm () oming the limits of pseudo3D models. In: SPE Hydraulic Fracturing Technology Conference. Society of Petroleum Engineers

Nasehi MJ, Mortazavi A (2013) Effects of in-situ stress regime and intact rock strength parameters on the hydraulic fracturing. J Petrol Sci Eng 108:211–221CrossRef

Nasseri MHB, Schubnel A, Young RP (2007) Coupled evolutions of fracture toughness and elastic wave velocities at high crack density in thermally treated Westerly granite. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 44:601–616. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2006.09.008CrossRef

Olasolo P, Juárez M, Morales M, Liarte I (2016) Enhanced geothermal systems (EGS): a review. Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev 56:133–144CrossRef

Olson J (2008) Multi-fracture propagation modeling: Applications to hydraulic fracturing in shales and tight gas sands. In: The 42nd US rock mechanics symposium (USRMS). American Rock Mechanics Association,

Papanastasiou P (1999) The effective fracture toughness in hydraulic fracturing. Int J Fracture 96:127–147. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1018676212444CrossRef

Perkins T, Kern LR (1961) Widths of hydraulic fractures. J Petrol Technol 13:937–949CrossRef

Potluri N, Zhu D, Hill AD (2005) The effect of natural fractures on hydraulic fracture propagation. In: SPE European formation damage conference, 2005. Society of Petroleum Engineers

Rutqvist J, Tsang C-F (2008) Review of SKB's Work on Coupled THM Processes within SR-Can. External review contribution in support of SKI's and SSI's review of SR-Can. Swedish Nuclear Power Inspectorate, Swedish

Shao S (2015) Coupled Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical (THM) Behaviour of Rock Relevant to the Geothermal Industry. Monash University

Shimizu H, Murata S, Ishida T (2011) The distinct element analysis for hydraulic fracturing in hard rock considering fluid viscosity and particle size distribution. J Int J Rock Mechan Mining Sci 48:712–727CrossRef

Solberg P, Lockner D, Pure JBJ, Geophysics A (1977) Shear and tension hydraulic fractures in low permeability rocks pure. Appl Geophys 115:191–198CrossRef

Song I, Suh M, Won KS, Haimson B (2001) A laboratory study of hydraulic fracturing breakdown pressure in tablerock sandstone J. Geosci J 5:263–271CrossRef

Thallak S, Rothenburg L, Dusseault M (1991) Simulation of multiple hydraulic fractures in a discrete element system. Paper presented at The 32nd US Symposium on Rock Mechanics (USRMS)

Tomac I, Gutierrez M (2017) Coupled hydro-thermo-mechanical modeling of hydraulic fracturing in quasi-brittle rocks using BPM-DEM . J Rock Mechan Geotech Eng 9:92–104CrossRef

Tomac I, Sauter M (2018) A review on challenges in the assessment of geomechanical rock performance for deep geothermal reservoir development. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 82:3972–3980CrossRef

Wang T, Zhou WB, Chen JH, Xiao X, Li Y, Zhao XY (2014) Simulation of hydraulic fracturing using particle flow method and application in a coal mine. Int J Coal Geol 121:1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2013.10.012CrossRef

Wang Y, Li X, He J, Zhao Z, Zheng B (2016) Investigation of fracturing network propagation in random naturally fractured and laminated block experiments. Energies. https://doi.org/10.3390/en9080588CrossRef

Wanne T, Young R (2008) Bonded-particle modeling of thermally fractured granite. Int J Rock Mech Min Sci 45:789–799CrossRef

Warpinski NR, Schmidt RA, Northrop DA (1982) In-situ stresses: the predominant influence on hydraulic fracture containment J. J Petrol Technol 34:653–664CrossRef

Wong TF, Brace W (1979) Thermal expansion of rocks: some measurements at high pressure. Tectonophysics 57:95–117CrossRef

Xie LM, Min KB (2017) Hydraulic fracturing initiation and propagation in deep inclined open hole for Enhanced Geothermal System. Geothermics 70:351–366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geothermics.2017.07.007CrossRef

Xu T, Zhou GL, Heap MJ, Zhu WC, Chen CF, Baud P (2017) The influence of temperature on time-dependent deformation and failure in granite: a mesoscale modeling approach. Rock Mech Rock Eng 50:2345–2364. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-017-1228-9CrossRef

Yin T, Zhang S, Li X, Bai L (2018a) A numerical estimate method of dynamic fracture initiation toughness of rock under high-temperature. Eng Fract Mech 204:87–102CrossRef

Yoon JS, Zang A, Stephansson O (2014) Numerical investigation on optimized stimulation of intact and naturally fractured deep geothermal reservoirs using hydro-mechanical coupled discrete particles joints model. Geothermics 52:165–184CrossRef

Yoon JS, Zimmermann G, Zang A (2015) Numerical investigation on stress shadowing in fluid injection-induced fracture propagation in naturally fractured geothermal reservoirs. Rock Mech Rock Eng 48:1439–1454CrossRef

Zarrouk SJ, Moon H (2014) Efficiency of geothermal power plants: a worldwide review. Geothermics 51:142–153CrossRef

Zhang WQ, Sun Q, Hao SQ, Geng JS, Lv C (2016) Experimental study on the variation of physical and mechanical properties of rock after high-temperature treatment. Appl Therm Eng 98:1297–1304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.01.010CrossRef

Zhang YS, Zhang JC, Yuan B, Yin SX (2018) In-situ stresses controlling hydraulic fracture propagation and fracture breakdown pressure. J Petrol Sci Eng 164:164–173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2018.01.050CrossRef

Zhao Z (2016) Thermal influence on mechanical properties of granite: a microcracking perspective. Rock Eng Rock Mechan Str Rock Masses 49:747–762CrossRef

Zhou J, Chen M, Jin Y, Zhang GQ (2008) Analysis of fracture propagation behavior and fracture geometry using a tri-axial fracturing system in naturally fractured reservoirs. Int J Rock Mechan Mining Sci 45:1143–1152CrossRef

Zhou J, Zhang L, Braun A, Han Z (2016) Numerical modeling and investigation of fluid-driven fracture propagation in reservoirs based on a modified fluid-mechanically coupled model in two-dimensional particle flow code. Energies 9:699CrossRef

Zhou J, Zhang L, Braun A, Han Z (2017a) Investigation of processes of interaction between hydraulic and natural fractures by PFC modeling comparing against laboratory experiments and analytical models. Energies. https://doi.org/10.3390/en10071001CrossRef

Zhou J, Zhang L, Braun A, Han Z (2017b) Investigation of processes of interaction between hydraulic and natural fractures by PFC modeling comparing against laboratory experiments and analytical models. Energies 10:1001CrossRef

Zhou J, Zhang L, Pan Z, Han Z (2016b) Numerical investigation of fluid-driven near-borehole fracture propagation in laminated reservoir rock using PFC2D. J Natural Gas Sci Eng 36:719–733CrossRef

Zhou J, Zhang L, Pan Z, Han Z (2016c) Numerical investigation of fluid-driven near-borehole fracture propagation in laminated reservoir rock using PFC2D. J Nat Gas Sci Eng 36:719–733CrossRef

Zoback M, Rummel F, Jung R, Raleigh C (1977) Laboratory hydraulic fracturing experiments in intact and pre-fractured rock. Int J Rock Mechan Mining Sci Geomechan 14:49–58CrossRef

Title: Investigation on Reservoir Stimulation Characteristics in Hot Dry Rock Geothermal Formations of China During Hydraulic Fracturing
Authors: Yuxiang Cheng
Yanjun Zhang
Ziwang Yu
Zhongjun Hu
Publication date: 22-05-2021
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Published in: Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering / Issue 8/2021
Print ISSN: 0723-2632
Electronic ISSN: 1434-453X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-021-02506-y

Springer Professional

Abstract

Please log in to get access to your license.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Springer Professional "Technik"

Other articles of this Issue 8/2021

Stress-Dependent Deformation and Permeability of a Fractured Coal Subject to Excavation-Related Loading Paths

Hydro-mechanical Coupling Response Behaviors in Tunnel Subjected to a Water-Filled Karst Cave

Analysis on Structural Characteristics of Grout and Rock Distribution in Complex Geological Mixtures after Grouting Reinforcement and Its Mechanical Strength

Improvement of Discontinuous Deformation Analysis Incorporating Implicit Updating Scheme of Friction and Joint Strength Degradation

The Strength of Massive to Moderately Jointed Rock and its Application to Cave Mining

Seismic Performance Assessment of Velocity Pulse-Like Ground Motions Under Near-Field Earthquakes