Modeling of the Dynamics of Fractal Characteristics of Micro-Fractured Fluid-Saturated Reservoirs while their Deformation

Author details

Abstract

One of the primary factors that affects the effectiveness of the processing of oil and gas deposits is the natural or artificially altered movement of liquid in the formation (hydrodynamic processes). Besides, the natural flow of liquids in the productive layers can be complicated by the factors related to the methods of increasing oil recovery in the layers, such as hydraulic fracturing of layers. Typically, these actions are performed in order to enhance the production of oil and gas, as well as improve the efficiency of oil extraction. Nevertheless, due to these activities, the productive reservoirs, which are porous and permeable matters, change into different stress conditions (destructive states). These conditions are identified by the amount of fissures within a single volume (unit) of rock and the specific pattern of fluid flow within reservoir. This article is reflecting investigations on how reservoirs deform and develop a system of fractures with a fractal pattern. Additionally, a model, which explains how these cracks system are generated, considering the changes in the fractal dimension of the media. According to the conducted researches, further phases of the process of formation of cracks have been pointed out. First, several initial cracks occur which have a chaotic disordered arrangement. Simultaneously, the fractal dimension of the system increases to a value of 1.6. During the subsequent phase, as the fractal dimension gradually rises from 1.6 to 1.73, the initial cracks start merging and creating a ruptured area. Next, the fractal dimension remains relatively stable, and once it reaches 1.75, there is a sudden break or disruption in the integrity of the medium. The reasons for possible inconsistency is in simulated crack formation, which can be attributed to the presence of multiple levels of heterogeneity and defects within real geological materials. These variations occur because of fluctuating micro- and macro stresses that are distributed among these heterogeneities.

Keywords

fluid movement within fractured oil reservoirsfractal dimension of a system of fractures in rocksfluid-saturated reservoirs.

Bibliography

  1. 1.Liu Q., Zhu D., Meng Q., Liu J., Wu X., Zhou B. et al. The scientific connotation of oil and gas formations under deep fluids and organic-inorganic interaction. Sci. China Earth Sci., 2019, vol. 62 (3), pp. 507-528. DOI: 10.1007/s11430-018-9281-2 Scholar
  2. 2.Liu K., Zhao J. Progressive damage behaviours of triaxially confined rocks under multiple dynamic loads. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 2021, vol. 54, pp. 3327-3358. DOI: 10.1007/s00603-021-02408-z Scholar
  3. 3.Liu P., Liu K., Zhang Q.B. Experimental characterisation of mechanical behaviour of concrete-like materials under multiaxial confinement and high strain rate. Construction and Building Materials, 2020, vol. 258, ID. 119638. DOI: 10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.119638 Scholar
  4. 4.Vorsina N.A., Izmaylova G.R. Two-stage stimulation of the oil formation, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. “International Conference on Mechanical Engineering, Automation and Control Systems, MEACS 2020”, 2021, 012063 p. DOI: 10.1088/1757-899X/1064/1/012063 Scholar
  5. 5.Ma X.D., Haimson B.C., Rudnicki J.W. True triaxial failure stress and failure plane of two porous sandstones subjected to two distinct loading paths. Porous Rock Fracture Mechanics, 2017, pp. 285-307. DOI: 10.1016/ B978-0-08-100781-5.00013-0 Scholar
  6. 6.Xie H., Lu J., Li C., Li M., Gao M. Experimental study on the mechanical and failure behaviors of deep rock subjected to true triaxial stress: A review. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 2022, vol. 32, iss. 5, pp. 915-950. DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2022.05.006 Scholar
  7. 7.Haimson B., Chang C. A new true triaxial cell for testing mechanical properties of rock, and its use to determine rock strength and deformability of Westerly granite. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 2000, vol. 37, iss. 1-2, pp. 285-296. DOI: 10.1016/S1365-1609(99)00106-9 Scholar
  8. 8.Bulat A.F., Dyrda V.I. Fractals in geomechanics. Kyiv: Naukova Dumka, 2005, 357 p. Scholar
  9. 9.Wang D., Bian X., Qin H., Sun D., Yu B. Experimental investigation of mechanical properties and failure behavior of fluid-saturated hot dry rocks. Nat. Resour. Res., 2021, vol. 30 (1), pp. 289-305. DOI: 10.1007/s11053-020-09760 Scholar
  10. 10.Davidenkov N.N. Some problems in the mechanics of materials. Moscow: Newspaper and magazine. Publishing house, 1943, 152 p. Scholar
Download PDF

Article information

Published
28 June 2024
Issue date
28 June 2024
Issue
Vol. 24, No. 2 (2024)
Share