TY - JOUR
TI - Topology-based 3-D fractal characterization of fracture complexity in propagation experiment
AU - Yan Hao
AU - Zhang Ran
AU - Zhu Ju-Hui
AU - Wang Rong
AU - Ren Qian-Kun
AU - Ren Yong
JN - Thermal Science
PY - 2024
VL - 28
IS - 2
SP - 1029
EP - 1035
PT - Article
AB - The complexity of the fracture network, formed by the interaction of hydraulic fractures and natural fractures during hydraulic fracturing, is one of the important criteria for guiding shale gas field production. In this study, we selected the deep shale of the Longmaxi formation as the object of study. Through indoor hydraulic fracturing experiments and fracture 3-D reconstruction technology, we conducted a quantitative study on the complexity of the fracture network created by the influence of hydraulic and natural fractures interacting with each other during hydraulic fracturing. The results show that the fractal dimensions, average connection numbers of topological structure branches, and relative lengths of fracture intersections for hydraulic fractures in 10 groups of specimens are 1.93-2.27, 0-1.143, and 1.02-1.98, respectively.