Multiple damage zones around hydraulic fractures generated by high-frequency pulsating hydraulic fracturing

Pulsating hydraulic fracturing (PHF) is a promising fracturing method and can generate a dynamic periodic pressure. The periodic pressure can induce fatigue failure of rocks and decrease initiation pressure of fracture. If the frequency of periodic pressure exceeds 10 Hz, the distribution of pressure along the main fracture will be heterogeneous, which is much different from the one induced by the common fracturing method. In this study, the impact of this special spatial feature of pressure on hydraulic fracture is mainly investigated. A coupled numerical simulation model is first proposed and verified through experimental and theoretical solutions. The mechanism of secondary fracture initiation around the main fracture is then discovered. In addition, sensitivity studies are conducted to find out the application potential of this new method. The results show that (1) this coupled numerical simulation model is accurate. Through comparison with experimental and theoretical data, the average error of this coupled model is less than 1.01%. (2) Even if a reservoir has no natural fracture, this heterogeneous distribution pressure can also cause many secondary fractures around the main fracture. (3) The mechanism of secondary fracture initiation is that this heterogeneous distribution pressure causes tensile stress at many locations along the main fracture. (4) Through adjusting the stimulation parameters, the stimulation efficiency can be improved. The average and amplitude of pressure can increase possibility of secondary fracture initiation. The frequency of this periodic pressure can increase number of secondary fractures. Even 6 secondary fractures along a 100 m-length main fracture can be generated. (5) The influence magnitudes of stimulation parameters are larger than ones of geomechanical properties, therefore, this new fracturing method has a wide application potential.