Hai Li¹, Ziqiang Xia^2,3,*, Majia Zheng⁴, Weiyang Xie^2,3, Jianlin Li¹, Ruiqi Gao^2,3, Gaoxiang Wang^2,3, Jiangrong Feng^2,3

Energy Engineering, Vol.122, No.12, pp. 5039-5054, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.069036 - 27 November 2025

Abstract To explore and evaluate the longitudinal utilization degree of marine shale gas horizontal wells in southern Sichuan Basin (hereinafter referred to as “southern Sichuan”), focusing on the shale of Wufeng formation-Longyi1 sub-member in the deep Z block. By using the data from core experiments, well logging, and fracture height detection, a systematic analysis from the perspectives of reservoir distribution, longitudinal utilization height of hydraulic fractures, and longitudinal utilization degree of horizontal wells was conducted. The research results show that: (1) The overall reservoir conditions of the Wufeng formation-Longyi1 sub-member in the study area are relatively… More > Graphic Abstract

Taizhi Shen¹, Gang Chen¹, Jiang Bai¹, Dan Zhang^2,*

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.21, No.8, pp. 1917-1934, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2025.067114 - 12 September 2025

Abstract Deep shale reservoirs are often associated with extreme geological conditions, including high temperatures, substantial horizontal stress differences, elevated closure stresses, and high breakdown pressures. These factors pose significant challenges to conventional hydraulic fracturing with water-based fluids, which may induce formation damage and fail to generate complex fracture networks. Supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO₂), with its low viscosity, high diffusivity, low surface tension, and minimal water sensitivity, has attracted growing attention as an alternative fracturing fluid for deep shale stimulation. This study presents a series of true triaxial large-scale physical experiments using shale samples from the Longmaxi Formation More >

Manqing Qian^*, Xiyu Chen, Yongming Li

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.21, No.6, pp. 1353-1377, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2025.061652 - 30 June 2025

Abstract Shale reservoirs are characterized by numerous geological discontinuities, such as bedding planes, and exhibit pronounced heterogeneity across rock layers separated by these planes. Bedding planes often possess distinct mechanical properties compared to the surrounding rock matrix, particularly in terms of damage and fracture behavior. Consequently, vertical propagation of hydraulic fractures is influenced by both bedding planes and the heterogeneity. In this study, a numerical investigation into the height growth of hydraulic fractures was conducted using the finite element method, incorporating zero-thickness cohesive elements. The analysis explored the effects of bedding planes, toughness contrasts between layers,… More >

Sichen Li^1,2, Dehua Liu^1,2,*, Liang Cheng^1,2, Pan Ma^1,2

Energy Engineering, Vol.121, No.7, pp. 1921-1943, 2024, DOI:10.32604/ee.2024.049906 - 11 June 2024

Abstract Due to the depletion of conventional energy reserves, there has been a global shift towards non-conventional energy sources. Shale oil and gas have emerged as key alternatives. These resources have dense and heterogeneous reservoirs, which require hydraulic fracturing to extract. This process depends on identifying optimal fracturing layers, also known as ‘sweet spots’. However, there is currently no uniform standard for locating these sweet spots. This paper presents a new model for evaluating fracturability that aims to address the current gap in the field. The model utilizes a hierarchical analysis approach and a mutation model, More > Graphic Abstract

Qixing Zhang^1,2, Bing Hou^1,2,*, Huiwen Pang^1,2, Shan Liu^1,2, Yue Zeng^1,2

CMES-Computer Modeling in Engineering & Sciences, Vol.133, No.3, pp. 471-507, 2022, DOI:10.32604/cmes.2022.020831 - 03 August 2022

Abstract China began to build its national shale gas demonstration area in 2012. The central exploration, drilling, and development technologies for medium and shallow marine shale reservoirs with less than 3,500 m of buried depth in Changning-Weiyuan, Zhaotong, and other regions had matured. In this study, we macroscopically investigated the development history of shale gas in the United States and China and compared the physical and mechanical conditions of deep and shallow reservoirs. The comparative results revealed that the main reasons for the order-ofmagnitude difference between China’s annual shale gas output and the United States could… More >

Zenglin Wang¹, Liaoyuan Zhang¹, Anhai Zhong², Ran Ding², Mingjing Lu^2,3,*

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.18, No.6, pp. 1795-1804, 2022, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2022.020020 - 27 June 2022

Abstract Due to the difficulties associated with preprocessing activities and poor grid convergence when simulating shale reservoirs in the context of traditional grid methods, in this study an innovative two-phase oil-water seepage model is elaborated. The modes is based on the radial basis meshless approach and is used to determine the pressure and water saturation in a sample reservoir. Two-dimensional examples demonstrate that, when compared to the finite difference method, the radial basis function method produces less errors and is more accurate in predicting daily oil production. The radial basis function and finite difference methods provide More >