Impact of Inter‐Well Stress Interference on Multifracture Propagation in Tight Reservoirs

ABSTRACT Fracture interference is commonly observed during hydraulic fracturing operations in tight reservoirs. While such interference can contribute to the development of complex fracture networks, it can also impede fracture initiation and propagation. Consequently, it is crucial to clarify the influence of pre‐existing structural weaknesses on the resulting fracture network characteristics in tight reservoirs. Although several numerical models have been developed to investigate the impact of natural fractures on hydraulic fracture propagation, these models often require a detailed characterization of natural fracture properties. To address the above limitations, this study presents a three‐dimensional (3D) numerical model for simulating multi‐fracture propagation. The accuracy of the model's fracture extension calculations have been validated through rigorous verification. The results indicate that: (1) During simultaneous fracturing of multiple segments within a single stage, intersegment interference inhibits the opening of intermediate fractures, resulting in nonplanar fracture geometries with a noticeable curvature. (2) In sequentially fractured multi‐fracture stages, fractures in later segments exhibit larger apertures compared to those in earlier segments, concurrent with continued fluid leak‐off into the previously fractured segments. (3) In parallel fracturing of multiple horizontal wells, fractures in the central regions of adjacent wells tend to be drawn towards each other, potentially leading to premature fracture intersection. Simultaneously, shear stresses between fractures within the same wellbore are reduced, causing the fractures to rotate outwards. (4) During nonsimultaneous, cross‐fracturing of multiple horizontal wells, fractures propagating into regions of tensile stress exhibit enhanced growth, while fractures subjected to compressive stresses from adjacent fractures tend to propagate outwards. In conclusion, the strategic application of diverse hydraulic fracturing techniques offers a viable approach to enhancing fracture network complexity. The findings of this study provide valuable guidance for optimizing the effective development and exploitation of tight reservoir resources.