Propagation of multiple hydraulic fractures in a transversely isotropic shale formation

Shale anisotropy can lead to deviated patterns of hydraulic fractures in multi-stage hydraulic fracturing (MSHF) operations, significantly hindering hydrocarbon production. Such deviation usually occurs in formations where the induced fractures interfere with natural bedding planes or where the stress shadow is created. In this work, the elastic behavior of a transversely isotropic shale rock during MSHF is investigated using the extended finite element method (XFEM) in conjunction with the cohesive zone model (CZM) in ABAQUS. In comparison to the linear elastic fracture mechanics approach, the CZM considers the plasticity and softening effects at the fracture tip, and therefore, leads to a more accurate prediction of fracture geometry. The XFEM model is capable of simulating fractures with an arbitrary path without requiring re-meshing. The 2D numerical model is first verified against the Kristianovich-Geertsma-de Klerk (KGD) analytical solutions. Five injection clusters in a single fracturing stage are simulated to analyze the effects of the material isotropy, the dip angle of shale bedding, and the fracture spacing on the geometry of multiple hydraulic fractures. The transversely isotropic poroelasticity model predicts narrower and longer hydraulic fractures than the isotropic poroelasticity model. The bedding dip angle plays a crucial role in the deviation and the shape of multiple hydraulic fractures. Increasing the dip angle from zero to 90° results in an increase in the average fracture width and an increase-peak-decrease trend in the fracture length. A strong correlation is observed between the fracture spacing and the fracture geometry, and a spacing of 75 m is considered optimal because it results in no discernible stress shadow at all dip angle cases.