This book is intended as a reference book for advanced graduate students and research engineers in shale gas development or rock mechanical engineering. Globally, there is widespread interest in exploiting shale gas resources to meet rising energy demands, maintain energy security and stability in supply and re-duce dependence on higher carbon sources of energy, namely coal and oil. How-ever, extracting shale gas is a resource intensive process and is dependent on the geological and geomechanical characteristics of the source rocks, making the development of certain formations uneconomic using current technologies. Therefore, evaluation of the physical and mechanical properties of shale, togeth-er with technological advancements, is critical in verifying the economic viability of such formation. Accurate geomechanical information about the rock and its variation through the shale is important since stresses along the wellbore can control fracture initiation and frac development. In addition, hydraulic fracturing has been widely employed to enhance the production of oil and gas from underground reservoirs. Hydraulic fracturing is a complex operation in which the fluid is pumped at a high pressure into a selected section of the wellbore. The interaction between the hydraulic fractures and natural fractures is the key to fracturing effectiveness prediction and high gas development. The development and growth of a hydraulic fracture through the natural fracture systems of shale is probably more complex than can be described here, but may be somewhat predictable if the fracture system and the development of stresses can be explained. As a result, comprehensive shale geomechanical experiments, physical modeling experiment and numerical investigations should be conducted to reveal the fracturing mechanical behaviors of shale.
Sample Chapter(s)
Preface (143 KB)
Components of the Book:
- Head Page
- Copyright
- Preface
- Notations
- Contents
- Chapter 1: Geomechanics of Shale under Compressive Deformation
- 1.1. Mechanics and Fracture Evolution of Shale under Uniaxial Deformation
- 1.2. Mechanics and Fracture Evolution of Shale under Triaxial Deformation
- Chapter 2: Energy Evolution Characteristics during Shale Fracturing
- 2.1. Introduction
- 2.2. Experimental Methods
- 2.3. Energy Conversion Mechanism
- 2.4. Experimental Results
- Chapter 3: Tensile Failure of Shale under Quasi-Static Loading
- 3.1. Introduction
- 3.2. Experimental Methods
- 3.3. Anisotropic Brazilian Test
- 3.4. Experimental Results
- Chapter 4: X-Ray Micro-CT Visualization of Mesoscopic Fracture
- 4.1. Introduction
- 4.2. Tested Materials and Methods
- 4.3. Experimental Results Analysis
- Chapter 5: Physical Modeling of Hydraulic Fracturing
- 5.1. Influence of Natural Fracture Density on Hydraulic Fracture
Propagation
- 5.2. Effect of Cemented Fractures on Fracturing Network
Propagation
- 5.3. Hydraulic Fracturing in Random Naturally Fractured Rock Blocks
- Chapter 6: Natural Fractures on Hydraulic Fracturing Behaviors
- 6.1. Shear Stimulation Effect in Naturally Fractured Formations
- 6.2. Effect of Fracture Network Connectivity on Hydraulic Fracturing
- 6.3. Contributions of Non-Tectonic Micro-Fractures to Hydraulic Fracturing
- Chapter 7: Hydraulic Fracturing Treatments in Shale Reservoirs
- 7.1. Maximize Fracturing Network Using Variable Injection-Rate Technology
- 7.2. Gas Shale Hydraulic Fracturing in the Longmaxi Formation China
- 7.3. Influences of Injection Rate on Hydraulic Fracturing in Shale Formations
- 7.4. Hydraulic Fracturing Simulation in Silty Laminated Shale Formation
Readership:
Readers who are interested in Geomechanics and Hydraulic Fracturing
Yu Wang
Yu Wang, Ph.D. Associate Professor; Department of Civil Engineering; School of Civil & Resource Engineering; University of Science & Technology Beijing, China.