Research PaperNumerical simulation of fracture path and nonlinear closure for simultaneous and sequential fracturing in a horizontal well

Reservoir stimulation requires a model to evaluate the fracture path and closure for the simultaneous or sequential propagation of the hydraulic fracture (HF). This paper presents a fluid-solid coupled model to simulate multi-stage HF propagation. A non-linear joint model is proposed to evaluate the fracture closure when the created fractures are elastically propped. HF closure continues until the balance of external stress matches the proppant's resistance. The reservoir along the horizontal wellbore is not stimulated equally by the multi-stage fracturing. The HFs in the subsequent stage are 'repelled' and restrained by the HFs in the previous stage.