Laboratory demonstration of the impact of weak interfaces and layered rock properties on hydraulic fracture containment and height growth

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing and waterflooding are both widely applied methods for improving the recovery of oil gas resources. These have increasing commonality because many waterfloods being carried out at high enough pressure to generate hydraulic fractures. Even so, it is challenging engineers make an optimal wellbore design layered otherwise complex underground formations. An overly aggressive injection may lead uncontrollable fracture height growth into non-producing layers adjacent reservoir. In contrast, when using classical but highly simplified models, limits can be far too conservative which lower rates inefficient use resources invested in developing producing reservoirs. Therefore, necessary investigate mechanism while considering coupling effect from multiple dominated factors. This research contributes experimental approach evaluating role stresses, weak interfaces, mechanical properties a three-layer system promoting or containing central reservoir neighboring barrier layers. all cases, experiments agree that required induce substantial exceeds stress above predictions. Additionally, layer softer than barriers, containment sustained even higher pressures with similar material properties. Finally, show permeability more sudden transition uncontrolled reaches bedding interfaces. mitigated by interfaces between Unstable typically requires fluid exceed in-situ bounding layer(s). Contrasting stiffness often leads further mitigation growth.