Yang Zhang¹, Xiaoping Yang¹, Yalan Zhang¹, Mingzhe Han¹, Jiayi Sun², Zhengsheng Xia^3,*

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.22, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2026.075388 - 06 February 2026

Abstract Self-suspended proppants, which enable clear-water fracturing, represent a promising new class of materials for reservoir stimulation. Given the economic limitations associated with their exclusive use, this study investigates proppant transport behavior in hybrid systems combining self-suspended proppants with conventional 40/70 mesh quartz sand at various mixing ratios. A dedicated experimental apparatus was developed to replicate field-relevant complex fracture networks, consisting of a main fracture and two branching fractures with different deflection angles. Using this system, sand bank formation and proppant distribution were examined for both conventional quartz sand fracturing and fracturing augmented with self-suspended proppants.… More >

Zhirong Jin^1,*, Xiaorui Hou¹, Yanrong Ge¹, Tiankui Guo², Ming Chen², Shuyi Li², Tianyu Niu²

Energy Engineering, Vol.123, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.070750 - 27 January 2026

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing serves as a critical technology for reservoir stimulation in deep coalbed methane (CBM) development, where the mechanical properties of gangue layers exert a significant control on fracture propagation behavior. To address the unclear mechanisms governing fracture penetration across coal-gangue interfaces, this study employs the Continuum-Discontinuum Element Method (CDEM) to simulate and analyze the vertical propagation of hydraulic fractures initiating within coal seams, based on geomechanical parameters derived from the deep Benxi Formation coal seams in the southeastern Ordos Basin. The investigation systematically examines the influence of geological and operational parameters on cross-interfacial fracture… More >

Li Wang¹, Xuesong Xing¹, Yanan Hou¹, Heng Wen¹, Ying Zhu¹, Jingyu Zi¹, Qingwei Zeng^2,3,*

Energy Engineering, Vol.123, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.068653 - 27 January 2026

Abstract The deep coal reservoir in Linxing-Shenfu block of Ordos Basin is an important part of China’s coalbed methane resources. In the process of reservoir reconstruction, the artificial fracture morphology of coal seam with gangue interaction is significantly different, which affects the efficient development of coalbed methane resources in this area. In this paper, the surface outcrop of Linxing-Shenfu block is selected, and three kinds of interaction modes between gangue and coal seam are set up, including single-component coal rock sample, coal rock sample with different thicknesses of gangue layer and coal rock sample with different… More >

Xia Yan¹, Wei Wang¹, Kai Shen^2,*, Yanqing Feng¹, Junyi Sun¹, Xiaogang Li¹, Wentao Zhu¹, Binbin Shi¹, Guanglong Sheng^2,3

Energy Engineering, Vol.123, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.070360 - 27 December 2025

Abstract In the development of coalbed methane (CBM) reservoirs using multistage fractured horizontal wells, there often exist areas that are either repeatedly stimulated or completely unstimulated between fracturing stages, leading to suboptimal reservoir performance. Currently, there is no well-established method for accurately evaluating the effectiveness of such stimulation. This study introduces, for the first time, the concept of the Fracture Network Bridging Coefficient (FNBC) as a novel metric to assess stimulation performance. By quantitatively coupling the proportions of unstimulated and overstimulated volumes, the FNBC effectively characterizes the connectivity and efficiency of the fracture network. A background… More >

Bo Wang¹, Fuyang Wu², Zifeng Chen², Libin Dai¹, Yifan Dong¹, Xiaotao Gao³, Zongfa Li^2,*

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.21, No.11, pp. 2701-2719, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2025.067298 - 01 December 2025

Abstract Tight gas reservoirs are often characterized by pronounced heterogeneity and poor continuity, resulting in wide variability in production enhancement and net present value (NPV) for different geological parameter combinations (see e.g., the Ordos Basin). The conditions governing geological adaptability remain insufficiently defined. To address these challenges, this study integrates large-volume hydraulic fracturing, numerical production simulation, and economic evaluation to elucidate the mechanisms by which large-scale fracturing enhances fracture parameters in tight gas formations. The analysis reveals that, for identical proppant and fluid volumes, increasing the fracturing injection rate leads to longer and taller fractures. Over… More >

Yu Li^1,2,3,*, Jie Bian³, Liang Zhang^2,3, Xuesong Feng³, Jiachen Hu³, Ji Yu³, Chao Zhou³, Tian Lan³

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.21, No.10, pp. 2539-2556, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2025.067685 - 30 October 2025

Abstract As oil and gas development increasingly targets unconventional reservoirs, the limitations of conventional hydraulic fracturing, namely high water consumption and significant reservoir damage, have become more pronounced. This has driven growing interest in the development of clean fracturing fluids that minimize both water usage and formation impairment. In this study, a low-liquid-content viscoelastic surfactant (VES) foam fracturing fluid system was formulated and evaluated through laboratory experiments. The optimized formulation comprises 0.2% foaming agent CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) and 2% foam stabilizer EAPB (erucamidopropyl betaine). Laboratory tests demonstrated that the VES foam system achieved a composite foam… More >

Zihao Yang^1,*, Jiarui Cheng¹, Zefeng Li², Yirong Yang¹, Linghong Tang¹, Wenlan Wei¹

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.21, No.9, pp. 2149-2176, 2025, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2025.067739 - 30 September 2025

Abstract This study presents a two-dimensional, transient model to simulate the flow and thermal behavior of CO₂ within a fracturing wellbore. The model accounts for high-velocity flow within the tubing and radial heat exchange between the wellbore and surrounding formation. It captures the temporal evolution of temperature, pressure, flow velocity, and fluid density, enabling detailed analysis of phase transitions along different tubing sections. The influence of key operational and geological parameters, including wellhead pressure, injection velocity, inlet temperature, and formation temperature gradient, on the wellbore’s thermal and pressure fields is systematically investigated. Results indicate that due to… More >

Weishuai Zhang, Fengjiao Wang, Yikun Liu^*, Yilin Liu

The International Conference on Computational & Experimental Engineering and Sciences, Vol.33, No.1, pp. 1-1, 2025, DOI:10.32604/icces.2025.010789

Abstract The mechanism of vertical extension in high-volume hydraulic fracturing is of significant importance for the volumetric transformation of low-permeability reservoirs in deep offshore sandstone formations. The complexity of fracture propagation behavior is influenced by the characteristics of discontinuous thin layers in the vertical plane. However, the mechanisms and influencing factors of fracture extension in the vertical direction during high-volume hydraulic fracturing remain unclear. This study integrates true triaxial hydraulic fracturing experiments with acoustic emission (AE) monitoring, employing a nonlinear finite element method to establish a multi-thin interlayer fracturing model based on seepage-stress-damage coupling. It investigates… More >

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 >

Xin Wan¹, Shuyi Li^2,3, Tiankui Guo^2,3,*, Ming Chen^2,3, Xing Yang^2,3, Guchang Zhang^2,3, Zi’ang Wang^2,3

Energy Engineering, Vol.122, No.8, pp. 3013-3039, 2025, DOI:10.32604/ee.2025.066033 - 24 July 2025

Abstract Hydraulic fracturing is a key technology for the efficient development of deep oil and gas reservoirs. However, fracture propagation behavior is influenced by rock elastoplasticity and thermal stress, making it difficult for traditional linear elastic models to accurately describe its dynamic response. To address this, this study employs the Continuum-Discontinuum Element Method (CDEM), incorporating an elastoplastic constitutive model, thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) coupling effects, and cohesive zone characteristics at the fracture tip to establish a numerical model for hydraulic fracture propagation in deep elastoplastic reservoirs. A systematic investigation was conducted into the effects of fluid viscosity, reservoir… More > Graphic Abstract