Special Oil & Gas Reservoirs ›› 2026, Vol. 33 ›› Issue (3): 106-114.DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1006-6535.2026.03.012

• Drilling & Production Engineering • Previous Articles     Next Articles

A method for predicting casing deformation locations in hydraulically fractured horizontal shale wells considering hydration effects

SHANGGUAN Ziran1,2, LI Hongtao1,2, WU Shengjun3, LI Gao1,2, DOU Zhengdao4, WANG Jian4, FU Chenglin4   

  1. 1. Petroleum Engineering School,Southwest Petroleum University,Chengdu,Sichuan 610500,China;
    2. State Key Laboratory of Oil & Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University,Chengdu,Sichuan 610500,China;
    3. PetroChina Qinghai Oilfield Company,Haixi,Qinghai 816400,China;
    4. Sinopec Jiangsu Oilfield Company,Yangzhou,Jiangsu 225001,China
  • Received:2024-11-28 Revised:2026-03-13 Online:2026-06-25 Published:2026-09-04

Abstract: To accurately predict the locations of casing deformation in hydraulically fractured horizontal shale wells,this study took deep shale oil wells in the Huazhuang area of the Gaoyou Sag,Subei Basin,as the research target.Based on microseismic inversion data,a coupled finite element model of the fractured zone,casing-cement sheath,and casing was established.Combined with shale hydration experiments and mechanical parameter tests,the geostress field and casing deformation characteristics during hydraulic fracturing were quantitatively analyzed,and a prediction method for casing deformation locations in hydraulically fractured horizontal shale wells considering hydration effects was established.The results show that,under hydration,the deep shale of the second member of the Funing Formation in the Huazhuang Area exhibits a marked decrease in rock stiffness and an obvious swelling effect,thereby disturbing the geostress field.During hydraulic fracturing,the geostress within the fractured zone increases significantly and destroys the original geostress equilibrium.Particularly in asymmetrical fractured zones,the shear action of the geostress field causes pronounced axial S-shaped deformation and radial ovalization of the casing,with ovalization being the principal failure mechanism.Compared with actual field casing deformation,the simulated deformation locations are consistent with the observed casing failure locations.Based on the analysis,a series of preventive and optimization measures are proposed.The study has important engineering significance for the efficient development of shale oil and gas reservoirs.

Key words: shale, horizontal well, casing deformation, hydration effect, volume fracturing

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