Experimental and numerical study of interaction of a pre-existing natural interface and an induced hydraulic fracture

Abstract

Today's huge growth of energy need may not be fulfilled except using new source of unconventional energy that should be stimulated hydraulically. However, these reservoirs are non-homogeneous and contain various types of interfaces which make their fracturing treatment difficult. In this study, the interaction between the hydraulic fracture and a natural interface were investigated using analytical, numerical and experimental approaches. This was done by doing sensitivity analysis on some of the important parameters.