A Fully Coupled Hydro-Mechanical Approach for Multi-Fracture Propagation Simulations

Hydraulic fracturing is a complex nonlinear hydro-mechanical coupled process. Accurate numerical simulation of great significance for reducing costs and improving reservoir development benefits. The aim this paper to propose an efficient method the fracturing-to-production problem under unified framework that has good convergence accuracy. A model (HMFM) established poroelastic media saturated with compressible fluid, local characteristics physical field are fully considered. Each fracture explicitly characterized using discrete (DFM), which can better reflect near fractures. Based on extended finite element (XFEM) Newton–Raphson method, approach named Unified Extended Finite Element (UXFEM) developed, solve system equations describe solution framework. UXFEM accurately capture different fields orthogonal structured grids. It realizes grid-fracture decoupling, fractures propagate in any direction, shows greater flexibility simulating propagation. essential relationship between pressure, stress, fracture, beneficial studying problems. To validate UXFEM, compared classical KGD model, analytic solution, COMSOL solution. Finally, based interference phenomenon study carried out prove broad practical application prospect new approach.