effect of discrete fracture network density on hydraulic fracturing

The effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing fluid injection is influenced by numerous factors، including pre-existing discontinuities such as discrete fracture networks (dfns). among the geometric characteristics of dfns، fracture density is a critical factor. in deep reservoirs، which often consist of hot dry rock (hdr)، thermal conduction through the rock and fluid، as well as advection and convective heat transfer within the fluid، can significantly impact fluid–rock interactions. this study examines the influence of dfn density on hydraulic fracture (hf) propagation in hdr، with a particular focus on the thermo-hydro-mechanical (thm) behavior of hdr using the combined finite-discrete element method (fdem). key controlling factors، such as flow rate، fluid kinematic viscosity، in-situ stress magnitude، pre-existing fracture aperture، and working fluid temperature، are analyzed. the findings highlight the significant role of dfn density in determining the pattern and extent of hf propagation under varying conditions. additionally، the interaction between the working fluid and dfns is shown to vary considerably with changes in these controlling factors. however، the study reveals that variations in dfn density or the values of the controlling factors have minimal impact on the temperature field. this is attributed to the rapid heat exchange between the cold fluid and the hdr، which quickly raises the fluid temperature، resulting in negligible temperature variations.

effect of discrete fracture network density on hydraulic fracturing

the effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing fluid injection is influenced by numerous factors، including pre-existing discontinuities such as discrete fracture networks (dfns). among the geometric characteristics of dfns، fracture density is a critical factor. in deep reservoirs، which often consist of hot dry rock (hdr)، thermal conduction through the rock and fluid، as well as advection and convective heat transfer within the fluid، can significantly impact fluid–rock interactions. this study examines the influence of dfn density on hydraulic fracture (hf) propagation in hdr، with a particular focus on the thermo-hydro-mechanical (thm) behavior of hdr using the combined finite-discrete element method (fdem). key controlling factors، such as flow rate، fluid kinematic viscosity، in-situ stress magnitude، pre-existing fracture aperture، and working fluid temperature، are analyzed. the findings highlight the significant role of dfn density in determining the pattern and extent of hf propagation under varying conditions. additionally، the interaction between the working fluid and dfns is shown to vary considerably with changes in these controlling factors. however، the study reveals that variations in dfn density or the values of the controlling factors have minimal impact on the temperature field. this is attributed to the rapid heat exchange between the cold fluid and the hdr، which quickly raises the fluid temperature، resulting in negligible temperature variations.