TY  - JOUR
ID  - epos1962
UR  - https://www.researchgate.net/publication/317069685_A_sensitivity_analysis_of_the_effect_of_pumping_parameters_on_hydraulic_fracture_networks_and_local_stresses_during_shale_gas_operations
A1  - Westwood, Rachel F.
A1  - Toon, Samuel M.
A1  - Cassidy, Nigel J.
Y1  - 2017/09//
N2  - The shale gas industry has signi?cant impact on economies around the world, however, it is not without
risk. One of the primary concerns is felt seismicity and recent earthquakes, caused by fault reactivation
related to hydraulic fracturing operations, have escalated uncertainty about hydraulic fracturing meth-
ods. Mitigating these risks is essential for restoring public con?dence in this controversial industry.
We investigate the effect that changing two operational parameters (?ow rate and pumping time) and
differential pressure have on the ?ow distance, fracture network area and the minimum lateral distance
that hydraulic fracturing should occur from a pre-existing fault in order not to reactivate it (lateral
respect distance); thus reducing the risk of felt seismicity. Sensitivity analyses are conducted using a
Monte Carlo approach. The lateral respect distance is obtained from calculations of the Coulomb stress
change of the rock surrounding the injection stage, for four stress threshold values obtained from the lit-
erature. Results show that the ?ow rate has the smallest rate of change for fracture area (3700 m
2
per
0.01 m
3
/s) and ?ow distance (8.3 m per 0.01 m
3
/s). We ?nd that differential pressure has the largest
impact on stimulated fracture area, when less than 2 MPa, at 31,029 m
2
/MPa. The pumping time has
the most signi?cant effect on the ?ow distance (48 m/h) and the stress threshold value the most signif-
icant effect on the lateral respect distance. This study suggests that to reduce the lateral distance, a com-
promise is required between ?ow distance and fracture area. The results obtained by this research
provide invaluable guidance for operational practice in determining the potential area of the induced
fracture network and generated stress ?eld under realistic hydraulic fracturing conditions, an important
aspect for risk assessments.
PB  - Elsevier
JF  - Fuel
VL  - 203
KW  - Hydraulic fracturing
KW  -  Numerical modelling
KW  -  Pumping parameters
KW  - 
Stress
KW  -  Shale gas
Faulting
SN  - 0016-2361
TI  - A sensitivity analysis of the effect of pumping parameters on hydraulic fracture networks and local stresses during shale gas operations
SP  - 843
AV  - none
EP  - 852
ER  -