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The influence of plasticity in hydraulic fracturing

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Abstract

This paper examines the influence of plasticity in hydraulic fracturing. Fluid flow in the fracture is modelled by lubrication theory. Rock deformation is modelled by the Mohr–Coulomb flow theory of plasticity and the propagation criterion is based on the softening behaviour of rocks. The coupled, nonlinear problem is solved by a combined finite difference–finite element scheme. The results show that plastic yielding near the tip of a propagating fracture provides an effective shielding, resulting in an increase of the rock effective fracture toughness by more than an order of magnitude. Higher pressure is needed to propogate an elasto-plastic fracture than an elastic fracture, and the created elasto-plastic fracture is shorter and wider than the elastic fracture of the same volume.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Schlumberger Cambridge Research, High-Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge, CB3 0EL, UK

    Panos Papanastasiou

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  1. Panos Papanastasiou
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Papanastasiou, P. The influence of plasticity in hydraulic fracturing. International Journal of Fracture 84, 61–79 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007336003057

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007336003057

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