The Effect of Layers Elastic Parameters on Hydraulic Fracturing Propagation Utilizing Displacement Discontinuity Method

Hydraulic fracturing as a method for reservoir stimulation depends on the properties of the media that fracture propagates in it. The elastic properties of layers greatly affect the geometry and propagation of hydraulic fractures. In this research study، the hydraulic fracturing propagation in multi-layered media (stiff and soft) with different elastic properties is investigated. Therefore، boundary element method based on the displacement discontinuity formulation is presented to solve general problems of hydraulic fracturing propagation in layered formations. The crack tip element and a higher order boundary displacement collocation technique are used to increase the accuracy of the method (2DFPM) in modeling of non-homogenous media. The stress intensity factor and tensile stress near the crack tip under different elastic modulus are evaluated to study the hydraulic fracture propagation. Related to the position of the fracture with interface (vertical، intersect and parallel) these factors have different values and finally، they control the fracture propagation. In comparison between the width of fractures in soft and stiff layers، the study displays that the fracture width in soft layers is greater than width of fracture in stiff layers.