Numerical modeling for investigating the effect of thermal stress on fracture pressure and principal stresses in hydraulic fracturing creation process in rocky environment

The production of oil wells is a function of several parameters, such as permeability. Fractures play an important role in rock permeability. If artificial fractures occur in the reservoir, its efficiency will increase. Hydraulic fracturing is the most important method used to create artificial fractures and increase oil and gas production in wells. In this research, the oil reservoir was modeled in two modes without creating thermal stress and considering the thermal stress through Abaqus software and the effect of thermal stress on the fracture pressure was investigated. Finally, after solving the model, the fracture pressure is obtained pressure and the effect of thermal stress on the fracture pressure is investigated. According to the results, by creating thermal stress, the fracture pressure in hydraulic fracturing can be reduced. Laboratory results was used to validate the model and the results of numerical modeling in this case are compared with laboratory results.