3D Numerical Model for Hydraulic Fracture Propagation in Tight Ductile Reservoirs, Considering Multiple Influencing Factors via the Entropy Weight Method

In this paper, we introduce the entropy weight method (EWM) to establish a comprehensive evaluation model able to quantify the brittleness of reservoir rocks. Based on the evaluation model and using the adaptive finite element-discrete element (FE-DE) method, a 3D model is established to simulate and compare the propagation behavior of hydraulic fractures in different brittle and ductile reservoirs. A failure criterion combining the Mohr-Coulomb strength criterion and the Rankine tensile criterion is used to characterize the softening and yielding behavior of the fracture tip and the shear plastic failure behavior away from the crack tip during the propagation of a fracture. To understand the effects of rock brittleness and ductility on hydraulic fracture propagation more intuitively, two groups of ideal cases with a single failure mode are designed, and the fracture propagation characteristics are compared and analyzed. By combining natural rock core scenarios with single failure mode cases, a comprehensive evaluation index BIf for reservoir brittleness and ductility is constructed. The simulation experiment results indicate that fractures in brittle reservoirs tended to form a complex network. With enhanced ductility, the yielding and softening of reservoirs hamper fracture propagation, leading to the formation of a simple network, smaller fracture area (FA), larger fracture volume, and the need for higher initiation pressure. The comprehensive index BIf can be used to define brittleness or ductility as the dominant factor of fracturing behavior. That is, 0 < BIf <= 0.46 indicates that the reservoir has enhanced ductility and ductile fracturing prevails; 0.72< BIf < 1 indicates that the reservoir has enhanced brittleness and brittle fracturing prevails; and 0.46 < BIf <= 0.72 means a transition from brittle to ductile fracturing. Based on fitting analysis results, the relationship between the calculated FA(r) and BIf is constructed to quantify the influence of reservoir brittleness and ductility on fracturing. The study provides new perspectives for designing, predicting, and optimizing the fracturing stimulation of tight reservoirs with various brittleness and ductility.