Fracability Evaluation Method and Influencing Factors of the Tight Sandstone Reservoir

Abstract

Fracability evaluation is the basis of reservoir fracturing and fracturing zone optimization. The tight sandstone reservoir is characterized by low porosity and low permeability, which requires hydraulic fracturing to improve industrial productivity. In this study, a systematic model was proposed for the fracability evaluation of tight sandstone reservoirs. The rock mechanics tests and sonic tests demonstrated that tight sandstone reservoir is characterized by high brittleness, high fracture toughness, and weak development of natural fractures. Numerical simulation was used to analyze the change of reservoir parameters during hydraulic fracturing and the influence of in situ stress on fracture propagation. The results showed that when the horizontal stress anisotropy coefficient is small, natural fractures may lead hydraulic fractures to change direction, and complex fracture networks are easily formed in the reservoir. The horizontal stress anisotropy coefficient ranges from 0.23 to 0.52, and it is easy to produce fracture networks in the reservoir. A new fracability evaluation model was established based on the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The fracability of tight sandstone reservoir is characterized by the fracability index (FI) and is divided into three levels. Based on the model, this study carried out fracability evaluation and fracturing zone optimization in the study area, and the microseismic monitoring results verified the accuracy of the model.