Engineering Commons^™

Fracture Propagation Mechanism In Directional Perforation And Hydraulic Fracturing Of Coal Seam Horizontal Wells, Pang Tao, Jiang Zaibing, Hui Jiangtao, Jia Bingyi

Coal Geology & Exploration

Horizontal well perforation and fracturing in complex coal-bearing strata are key to increasing coal seam permeability and enhancing gas extraction efficiency, with the formation structure and perforation location determining fracture propagation. Considering the characteristics of formation structure and perforation locations, a fracturing geological model is established. Based on the finite element method, a numerical model is constructed to study the effects of perforation location, formation conditions, and the difference between vertical stress and horizontal stress on fracture perforation. Engineering verification is conducted, and construction suggestions are proposed. Key findings are as follows: There are three scenarios for the perforation locations: …

Numerical Simulations Of The Effects Of Bedding Planes On Hydraulic Fracture Propagation Law In Oil Shale, Li Yanwei, Zhu Chaofan, Zeng Yijian, Shui Haoche, Fan Cunhan, Guo Wei

Coal Geology & Exploration

Hydraulic fracturing serves as a major technical means for the exploitation of oil shale reservoirs presently, and the hydraulic fracture morphology in oil shales is primarily affected by differences in the characteristics of bedding planes. However, current studies mostly focus on the influence of the developmental degree of bedding planes on fracture propagation, overlooking the effects of the bedding plane thickness itself on hydraulic fracture propagation. This study delves into the oil shale in the Xunyi area, Ordos Basin. Based on the theory of linear elastic fracture mechanics, this study developed a stress-damage-seepage model of hydraulic fracture propagation. Using the …

Propagation Of Hydraulic Fractures In Thin Interbedded Tight Sandstones, Yang Fan, Mei Wenbo, Li Liang, Sun Zening, An Qi, Yang Qi, Lu Meiquan, Yang Ruiyue

Coal Geology & Exploration

Thin interbedded tight sandstone reservoirs are characterized by strong vertical heterogeneity due to the superimposed pattern of the deposited sandstones and mudstones. As a result, hydraulic fractures are difficult to propagate vertically to effectively connect the reservoirs. Given this, ascertaining the vertical propagation patterns of hydraulic fractures in thin interbeds is of great significance for the development of thin interbedded tight sandstones. With the thin interbedded tight sandstone reservoirs of the lower Shihezi Formation in the Linxing block, Ordos Basin as a case study, this study built the fracture propagation model of these sandstones. Accordingly, it analyzed the effects of …

An Experimental Study On Factors Controlling The Proppant Transport In Hydraulic Fractures Of Coal Reservoirs, Su Xianbo, Fan Jian, Wang Ran, Wang Lufei, Zhao Fengzhen, Wang Qian

Coal Geology & Exploration

Effectively propping open hydraulic fractures in coal reservoirs plays an important role in ensuring the efficient production of coalbed methane (CBM). This study investigated the effects of fracture morphology and the volume, injection rate, and properties of fracturing fluids on proppant transport in fractures through visualized experiments. The results are as follows: (1) Proppants showed a relatively homogeneous distribution in simple fractures with a constant aperture. In contrast, they form room-and-pillar props composed of proppant pillars and proppant-free rooms in local simple fractures with varying apertures and reticular fractures due to the effects of the varying flow rates of fracturing …

A New Model Of Surface And Underground Integrated Three-Dimensional Prevention And Control Of Rock Burst In Binchang Mining Area, Wu Xueming, Ma Xiaohui, Lyu Dazhao, Zheng Kaige, Wang Dongjie

Coal Geology & Exploration

With the continuous increase of coal mining intensity, the mine gradually moves to the deep, bringing about increasingly serious rock burst hazard. The deep rock burst mines often have one or more layers of hard and thick rock strata. These hard roofs are thick and strong integrity. When they suddenly rupture, they can release a large amount of elastic energies, which can easily to cause rock burst accidents and seriously restrict the safety of mine production. Herein, appropriate treatment measures were put forward for the special situation of deep burial depth of coal seam and general presence of many kinds …

Experimental Study On The Mechanical Properties Of Coal-Like Materials For Hydraulic Fracturing Simulation, Zhai Cheng, Zheng Yangfeng, Yu Xu, Xu Jizhao, Sun Yong, Cong Yuzhou, Tang Wei, Li Yujie, Zhu Xinyu, Chen Aikun

Coal Geology & Exploration

Simulation experiments on hydraulic fracturing of the coal seam in the laboratory are an effective method to study the mechanism of fracturing and enhancing permeability of coal-rock mass by hydraulic fracturing in coal mines. However, the technology in-situ sampling for large-size coal mass is immature, and the existing large-size coal samples are mostly taken from the stress-relaxation area, which can be further damaged in the transportation and preparation processes, causing large dispersion in test results. Therefore, The use of coal-like materials is a viable option to replace large-size raw coal for hydraulic fracturing simulation experiments. The mechanical properties of coal-like …

High-Efficiency Regional Gas Drainage Model After Hydraulic Fracturing Of Comb-Shaped Long Boreholes In The Roof Of Broken Soft And Low Permeability Coal Seam, Chen Dongdong, Wang Jianli, Jia Bingyi, Xi Jie

Coal Geology & Exploration

Advanced management of gas enrichment area is an important guarantee to realize safe, efficient and intelligent mining in coal mine. Aiming at the problem of high-efficiency gas drainage in broken and soft coal seam region, taking No.3 coal seam in Hancheng mining area as the research object, a gas drainage mode of comb-shaped long borehole hydraulic fracturing in the roof of coal seam is proposed. The applicability of the model is verified by means of theoretical analysis, numerical simulation and field test, and the fracture propagation law, gas drainage mechanism, and fracturing curve features of comb-shaped borehole in adjacent roof …

Experimental Study Of Hydraulic Fracture Evolution With Materials Similar To The Structural Plane, Li Quangui, Wu Xiaobin, Hu Qianting, Liu Le, Shi Jialin, Song Mingyang

Coal Geology & Exploration

The structural plane extensively occurs in coal measures, and is one of the key factors affecting the hydraulic fracturing effect of coal/rock. The fabrication time and filling material types of the structural plane were adjusted to obtain the coal/rock specimens without the filling structural plane, or the coal/rock specimens with the filling structural plane. The physical experiment for hydraulic fracturing was carried out to find out the effect and action mechanism of the structural plane type and injected flow rate on hydraulic fracture extension. As indicated by the result, in the condition of the injected flow rate of 50 mL/min, …

Mesoscopic Law Of Stress And Fracture Evolution Of Coal Seams Hydraulic Fracturing, Li Quangui, Deng Yize, Hu Qianting, Zhang Yuebing, Song Mingyang, Liu Jichuan, Shi Jialin

Coal Geology & Exploration

Hydraulic fracturing is a technology to increase coal seam permeability, and its stress evolution characteristics and the judgment of fracture morphology and propagation range are particularly important. In this paper, based on directional fracturing, a fluid-structure coupling model of hydraulic fracturing is established by using the discrete element numerical method. The effects of fracturing flow, Poisson’s ratio, natural fracture density on stress evolution and fracture evolution, and their mesoscopic laws are investigated by means of the stress path and crack hot spot diagram. The results show that the stress evolution direction and the final stress path curve shape are obviously …

Evaluation Method And Application Of Fracturing Effect Based On Dynamic Permeability Change Of Coal Reservoir Hydraulic Fracturing, Shan Tuo, Sun Changyan, Wang Qian, Xie Xiangjun, Fan Yigang

Coal Geology & Exploration

The fracturing construction curve is considered to be an important basis for reflecting the fracturing effect, while the dynamic change of reservoir permeability in the fracturing stage can more intuitively reflect the effect of fracture formation. In this paper, a quantitative evaluation method for reservoir dynamic permeability in fracturing stage was established based on the principle of well testing. Then, the method was applied to evaluate the fracturing effect of two coalbed methane (CBM) wells in a block in southern Junggar Basin, and the dynamic permeability curve of reservoir during fracturing stage is obtained. Meanwhile, the G-function method was …

Application Of Advanced Regional Treatment Technology Of Hard Roof In Buertai Coal Mine Of Shendong Coal Group, Yang Junzhe, Wang Zhenrong, Lyu Qingxu, Yang Sen, Li Guo, Zheng Kaige

Coal Geology & Exploration

The hard roof is a difficult problem in rock stratum control. The breaking and instability of high hard rock strata often induces strong coal pressure disasters, seriously threatening the safety production in coal mines. Hard roof control is one of the major problems in coal mine safety production. In response to the problems of large thickness, high hardness of the coal seam roof and its difficulty in collapse in Buertai Coal Mine in Shendong Mining Area, the hydraulic fracturing mechanism and technical advantages of directional long borehole segmented hydraulic fracturing are analyzed. The location of boreholes is determined based on …

Medium Characteristics And Hydrodynamic Evolution Law Of High Salinity Mine Water Recharge In Deep Well, Liu Qi, Wang Weijun, Luo Bin, Wang Houzhu, Zhang Zhijun

Coal Geology & Exploration

The treatment and discharge of high salt mine water is one of the important factors affecting efficient coal mining in recent years. It is a worth exploring method to reduce the discharge of mine water by selecting the appropriate aquifer under the floor of the coal seam and transferring the high salt mine water to other places. Taking the X mine in the Ordos Basin as an example, the Baotashan sandstone and the deep Liujiagou Formation sandstone formation below the coal seam have transfer storage space. By mercury intrusion experiment and rock mechanics analysis, the two groups of formations were …

Application Of Borehole Transient Electromagnetic Detection In The Test Of Hydraulic Fracturing Effect, Zhao Rui, Fan Tao, Li Yuteng, Wang Jikuang, Ma Yuan, Wang Bingchun, Liu Lei, Fang Zhe

Coal Geology & Exploration

Hydraulic fracturing technology is widely used in various aspects such as mine rock burst prevention and surrounding rock depressurization, but there has been a lack of efficient and intuitive technology for evaluating the fracturing effectiveness. To solve this problem, a three-component borehole TEM detection method using dynamic source and reception unit was proposed, and detection equipment and supporting construction techniques suitable for construction in hydraulic fracturing holes were developed. Two engineering tests have been carried out in a coal mine. By comparing the processing results of the vertical components of the two detection data before and after fracturing, a pure …

Productivity Prediction Of Hypotonic Cbm Test Well In Jiaozuo Mining Area Under Hydraulic Fracturing, Wang Zhirong, Yang Jie, Chen Lingxia, Guo Zhiwei

Coal Geology & Exploration

In order to explore the permeable mechanism and the output law after fracturing of CBM in the "three soft" coal seam(soft coal, soft roof and soft bottom) of Jiaozuo under hydraulic fracturing, Based on the permeable model of reservoir fracture, considering the influence of fracture porosity on permeability after fracturing, a reservoir fracture penetration model was established, the application and analysis of the test well was carried out to obtain the characteristics of pressure cracks such as length, width, permeability and reservoir parameters after fracturing. Through the comprehensive analysis of isothermal adsorption curves and historical fitting, the recovery rate of …

Agenda: Natural Resource Industries And The Sustainability Challenge, University Of Colorado Boulder. Getches-Wilkinson Center For Natural Resources, Energy, And The Environment, University Of Colorado Boulder. The Colorado Law Energy Innovation Initiative

Natural Resource Industries and the Sustainability Challenge (Martz Winter Symposium, February 27-28)

"An International Conference hosted by The Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy, and the Environment and The Colorado Law Energy Innovation Initiative."

For more than two decades, sustainability has gained currency as a broad organizing principle for efforts to develop and use energy, natural resources, and the environment in ways that allow society to meet its needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. More recently, sustainability has been embraced by businesses across multiple sectors as part of a broader movement of corporate social responsibility. Hardly a day goes by without news of another corporate initiative …

Agenda: Water, Oil And Gas: Recycling And Reuse Of Water, University Of Colorado Boulder. Getches-Wilkinson Center For Natural Resources, Energy, And The Environment. Intermountain Oil And Gas Bmp Project, Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute, Sturm College Of Law, University Of Denver, Colorado Bar Association, Natural Resources & Energy Section

Water, Oil and Gas: Recycling and Reuse of Water (June 11)

Program co-chairs: Sarah Klahn, Matthew Sura; planning committee: Susan Daggett, Kathryn Mutz.

Co-sponsored by: Getches-Wilkinson Center for Natural Resources, Energy and the Environment, University of Colorado Law School, Rocky Mountain Land Use Institute, Sturm College of Law, University of Denver, Natural Resources & Energy Section of the Colorado Bar Association.

This program is the second in a 3-part series focusing on critical water, oil and gas issues in Colorado. This second program focuses on the technology behind the recycling of produced water and hydraulic back fracturing flowback fluid and the issue of mandatory recycling. It also addresses the legal implications …

Agenda: What The Frack? How Your Investments Can Impact The Fracking Industry, University Of Colorado Boulder. Getches-Wilkinson Center For Natural Resources, Energy, And The Environment. Intermountain Oil And Gas Bmp Project, Sustainable Impact Investment Advisors

What the Frack? How Your Investments Can Impact the Fracking Industry (March 13)

Sustainable Impact Investment Advisors, a professional association of investment advisors whose practices focus on sustainable and socially responsible investing, sponsored a panel conversation on hydraulic fracking. A panel of experts, including industry representatives and grass roots opponents, discussed the pros and cons of fracking. The panel provided an overview of fracking, and food for thought about whether you choose to include this industry in your investments, or influence companies to use this technology with only the utmost care.

Slides: Routes To Sustainability: Natural Gas Development And Air And Water Resources In The Rocky Mountain Region, Mark Williams

Monitoring and Protecting Groundwater During Oil and Gas Development (November 26)

Presenter: Mark Williams, University of Colorado Boulder

14 slides

Agenda: Drawing The Blueprint For A Sustainable Natural Gas Future, University Of Colorado At Denver. Wirth Chair In Environmental And Community Development Policy, University Of Colorado Boulder. Natural Resources Law Center. Intermountain Oil And Gas Bmp Project

Drawing the Blueprint for a Sustainable Natural Gas Future (January 18)

A stakeholder-led forum discussing the key topics affecting natural gas as a safe and sustainable energy resource. Participants learned about the current research and related resources at Colorado’s three research universities and participated in designing future research needs.

Slides: Current And Proposed Research Activities Addressing Health, Environmental, Economic, And Political Issues Related To Natural Gas Development, University Of Colorado. School Of Public Health. Department Of Environmental And Occupational Health

Drawing the Blueprint for a Sustainable Natural Gas Future (January 18)

Presenter: Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Colorado School of Public Health

20 slides

Slides: Natural Gas: Game Changer Or Runner Left On Base? Working To Get It Right In Co!, Gary Graham

Drawing the Blueprint for a Sustainable Natural Gas Future (January 18)

Presenter: Dr. Gary Graham, Director, Lands Program, Western Resource Advocates

21 slides

Slides: Drawing The Blueprint For A Sustainable Natural Gas Future, Mark K. Boling

Drawing the Blueprint for a Sustainable Natural Gas Future (January 18)

Presenter: Mark. K. Boling, Executive Vice-President and General Counsel, Southwestern Energy

23 slides

Slides: Development Of Shale: Water Resource Concerns And Policy Considerations, Katy Dunlap

Shale Plays in the Intermountain West: Legal and Policy Issues (November 12)

Presenter: Katy Dunlap, Eastern Water Project Director, Trout Unlimited, Inc., Burdett, NY

24 slides

Slides: Water And Development Of Unconventional Oil And Gas Resources, Judy Jordan

Shale Plays in the Intermountain West: Legal and Policy Issues (November 12)

Presenter: Judy Jordan, Oil & Gas Liaison, Garfield County, Rifle, CO

21 slides

Slides: The Here And Now Of U.S. Nat Gas, Michelle Michot Foss

Shale Plays in the Intermountain West: Legal and Policy Issues (November 12)

Presenter: Michelle Michot Foss, Chief Energy Economist, Center for Energy Economics, Bureau of Economic Geology, University of Texas, Austin, TX

12 slides

Pooling For Horizontal Wells: Can They Teach An Old Dog New Tricks?, Bruce M. Kramer

Shale Plays in the Intermountain West: Legal and Policy Issues (November 12)

74 pages.

This paper was originally published as:

Bruce M. Kramer, “Pooling for Horizontal Wells: Can They Teach an Old Dog New Tricks?,” 55 Rocky Mt. Min. L. Inst. 8-1, § 8.05 (2009).

Slides: Evolving Policy On Shale Plays, John Martin

Shale Plays in the Intermountain West: Legal and Policy Issues (November 12)

Presenter: John Martin, Crowell & Moring, LLP, Washington, DC

17 slides

Agenda: Shale Plays In The Intermountain West: Legal And Policy Issues, University Of Colorado Boulder. Natural Resources Law Center

Shale Plays in the Intermountain West: Legal and Policy Issues (November 12)

This one-day symposium to be held at the Grand Hyatt hotel in Denver will address the technology, economics, environmental impacts, and regulatory issues associated with shale gas development in the Rocky Mountain region. The purpose of this event is to facilitate productive dialogue among a wide range of stakeholders and interested parties to guide policy decisions.