Staged multicluster hydraulic fracture propagation mechanism and its influencing factors in horizontal wells for CBM development

Abstract Staged multicluster fracturing (SMCF) is crucial for the low‐permeability coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs development. To reveal fracture propagation mechanism and characteristics in SMCF select appropriate hydraulic parameters, this study considers CBM exploitation Shizhuang block, Qinshui Basin China as engineering background. Then, XSite software based on discrete lattice theory synthetic rock mass method used to construct a three‐dimensional model. The influence mechanisms of cluster spacing (CS) lateral pressure coefficient (LPC) fractures were investigated. With an increase CS, stress interference between gradually weakens, deflection also decreases. Both stimulated reservoir area (SRA) aperture single with but SRA efficiency exhibit limited growth when CS greater than 15 m. decreases exponentially LPC. When LPC increases from 0.4 1.4, by 74.2%. plays decisive role direction. reaches propagate along horizontal LPC, fluid linearly, exponentially. results law can provide reference applications. In at 3# coal seam be set approximately m, appropriately reduced large.