Optimization of multiple hydraulically fractured factors to maximize the stimulated reservoir volume in silty laminated shale formation, Southeastern Ordos Basin, China

An important inspect that maximizes the stimulated reservoir volume during the hydraulic fracturing design is the multi-factor analysis and optimization. Characterizations of geological setting, geomechanical rock properties and operational factors can provide insight into the fracturing response of formations, which can, in turn be used to optimize the field fracturing treatment. In this work, the response surface methodology was employed to maximize the stimulated area in combination with numerically modeling based on a coupled flow-stress-damage approach, for the typical continental silty laminae shale in China. Seven uncertain parameters with a reasonable range based on silty Laminae Shale, Southeastern Ordos Basin, are used to fit a response of stimulated reservoir area (SRA) as the objective function, and finally identity the optimum design under the parameters base on SRA maximization The motivation of the study is to improve the artificial ability to control the fracturing network propagation by the multi-factor optimization. This work will guide the exploration and development of shale gas and is helpful in optimizing the fracturing design for continental shale, Southeastern Ordos Basin, China.