Simulation of the interactions between hydraulic and natural fractures using a fracture mechanics approach

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openAccess

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Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

A1 Alkuperäisartikkeli tieteellisessä aikakauslehdessä

Date

2019-12-03

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Mcode

Degree programme

Language

en

Pages

1138-1150

Series

JOURNAL OF ROCK MECHANICS AND GEOTECHNICAL ENGINEERING, Volume 11, issue 6

Abstract

HYDROCK method aims to store thermal energy in the rock mass using hydraulically propagated fracture planes. The hydraulic fractures can interact with the pre-existing natural fractures resulting in a complex fracture network, which can influence the storage performance. This study investigates the interactions between hydraulic and natural fractures using a fracture mechanics approach. The new functionality of the fracture mechanics modelling code FRACOD that enables crossing of hydraulically driven fracture by a pre-existing fracture is presented. A series of two-dimensional numerical models is prepared to simulate the interaction at different approach angles in granitic rock of low permeability. It is demonstrated that multiple interaction mechanisms can be simulated using the fracture mechanics approach. The numerical results are in agreement with the modified Renshaw and Pollard analytical criterion for fracture crossing. The results show that for large approach angles, the hydraulic fracture crosses the natural fracture, whereas for small approach angles, the hydraulic fracture activates the natural fracture and the wing-shaped tensile fractures are propagated from its tips. Thus, the presence of fractures with low dip angles can lead to the growth of more complex fracture network that could impair the thermal performance of the HYDROCK method.

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Keywords

Hydraulic fracturing, Fractured rock, FRACOD model, Artificially fractured hard rock aquifer, Granite, HYDROCK, Underground thermal energy storage

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Citation

Janiszewski, M, Shen, B & Rinne, M 2019, ' Simulation of the interactions between hydraulic and natural fractures using a fracture mechanics approach ', Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, vol. 11, no. 6, pp. 1138-1150 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2019.07.004