Numerical analysis of production rate based on interaction between induced and natural fractures in porous media

Hydraulic fracturing in reservoirs with low or high fracture density could have a significant impact on the reservoirs' production rate. In the present study, having determined the fracture direction through the finite difference method according to the induced-stress distributions, this operation simulated fracturing in two reservoirs with high or low levels of natural fracturing, using the distinct-element method. The goal was to investigate the effect of hydraulic fracture length and aperture on the production rate from both reservoirs. Sensitivity analysis indicated that in a reservoir with more natural fractures, hydraulic fracture length plays a more significant role, and in a reservoir with fewer natural fractures, both hydraulic fracture length and opening are highly influential. Also, factors such as fracture coalescence and intersected fractures, which influence the production rate, were examined. Moreover, the results revealed that when the fracture length and aperture increase, the production rate fluctuates.