Coupled Multiphysics Models for Subsurface Geomechanics

In recent years, hydraulic fracturing has emerged as a multi-faceted technology that has transformed the global energy landscape in numerous ways.

Primarily used in unconventional reservoirs, hydraulic fracturing enables operators to extract hydrocarbons safely and economically from ultra-tight shale formations - that were once considered prohibitively expensive. Hydraulic fracturing is also routinely used as a part of disposal operations - such as Cuttings Re-Injection (or CRI) and Produced Water Re-Injection (or PWRI). 

In geothermal applications, hydraulic fracturing is used as a technique to increase the thermal contact between reservoir rock and circulating fluid - thus enhancing the energy recovery factor of such systems.

Specifically, we will discuss use-cases and workflows for:

• Modeling of industrial-scale unconventional completions comprising multiple wells with each well consisting of multiple stages and each stage consisting of multiple perf clusters.  
• Predicting the number of fractures, their sizes, trajectories, and transport and placement of proppants inside them - while accounting for geological (e.g. rock lithology, in-situ stresses, etc.) and operational (e.g. pumping rate) parameters. 
• Investigating the effect of depletion on fracture propagation and ensuing parent-child interaction.