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Modeling of micro-earthquakes using coupled flow and geomechanics simulation during hydraulic fracturing operations
Coupled flow and geomechanics modeling becomes more important in reservoir engineering, especially for hydraulic fracturing in tight/shale gas reservoirs or hydro-shearing in geothermal systems. They exhibit strong interaction between flow and geomechanics, requiring modeling of their strong coupling in pore volume and permeability. Furthermore, hydraulic fracturing induces microseismicity, which can be an indicator to detect stimulated reservoir volume while it might be a risk to surface facilities. Accurate numerical modeling of micro-earthquakes (MEQs) is significantly valuable for hydraulic fracturing.In this study we employ linear elastic fracture mechanics for modeling vertical fracture propagation, ie, failure modeling of hydraulic fracturing. We also account for poromechanical effects with multiple continuum approach using sequential coupled flow and geomechanics simulation. Every time when fracturing occurs, we can calculate seismic moment tensor from the obtained displacement field. Then we model intensity, location, and time of MEQs.
We simulate MEQs for various synthetic properties and scenarios, such as vertical and horizontal hydraulic fracturing, grid spacing, geomechanical moduli, heterogeneity, different permeability models, different failure conditions, total stress, and pressure.
Author(s):
Jihoon Kim
Texas A&M University
United States
Mike Hoversten
Chevron Energy Technology Company
United States
Ernest Majer
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
United States