Analysis of downhole temperature-strain response in hydraulic fracturing - A coupled geomechanics-thermal-flow simulation approach

作     者：Zhong, Chuanyao Chen, Jiahui Leung, Juliana Y. 

作者机构：Univ Alberta Dept Civil & Environm Engn Edmonton AB Canada 

出 版 物：《GEOENERGY SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING》 (Geoenergy. Sci. Eng.)

年 卷 期：2025年第247卷

核心收录：

基　　金：Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Discovery Grant [2017-05779] Collaborative Research and Development Grant [537404-2018] Consortium for Distributed and Passive Sensing 

主　　题：Enterprise software 

摘      要：Fiber optic technologies are important real-time fracture diagnostics and monitoring tools. Simulating field temperature and strain responses using a coupled geomechanical-thermal-flow simulation approach remains challenging, even with the use of commercial software packages. This study presents a novel comprehensive modelling strategy for constructing coupled flow-geomechanical-thermal simulations to analyze fracturing processes in subsurface flow applications. This paper is the first study that meticulously examines different model set-up options, illustrating how commercial packages can be utilized in this context. A 3D deformable finite-element geomechanics system and dual-porosity-dual-permeability flow and thermal simulations are conducted. A dynamic node-splitting technique facilitates the modelling of hydraulic fracture (HF) opening and propagation. The model responses-including fracture geometry, injection pressure, and temperature-are thoroughly validated against several analytical solutions. Geomechanical responses such as displacement, strain, and strain rate are validated against a well-established numerical solution. Our model responses of strain-rate characteristics are compared to field Low-Frequency Distributed Acoustic Sensing (LF-DAS) data. A qualitative analysis has been conducted to explain the possible mechanisms behind the commonly observed optical phase-shifting phenomena in LFDAS plots. Given that fluid injection and fracturing are commonly encountered in a wide range of geo-energy applications, the work presented in this study offers valuable insights into analyzing these processes and designing fiber-optic monitoring tools.