Fracture propagation patterns during hydraulic fracturing under different helical perforation parameters in shale oil reservoirs

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1006-6535.2026.02.014

Abstract

Abstract: Hydraulic fracturing plays a critical role in oil and gas reservoir development,and perforation parameters significantly affect the morphology and propagation of fractures in shale oil reservoirs.To optimize perforation parameters and improve stimulation effectiveness,laboratory true triaxial hydraulic fracturing experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of perforation parameters on fracture morphology,propagation patterns,and breakdown pressure.The results show that perforation phasing has a significant effect on fracture initiation and propagation.When the perforation phasing is 90°,the hydraulic fracture area is the largest,and a complex“丰(feng)”-shaped fracture surface is prone to form;when the perforation phasing is 60°,the fracture area is the smallest,and effective interlayer-crossing fractures are difficult to form.Increasing the number of perforations helps improve fracture complexity and the capability of interlayer propagation.With increasing perforation phasing,the stress superposition and interference effects between perforation tunnels weaken,and the breakdown pressure increases gradually;with increasing number of perforations,the breakdown pressure shows an overall decreasing trend.For hydraulic fracturing of shale oil reservoirs,it is recommended to adopt a perforation scheme with 90° perforation phasing and a high number of perforations under the premise of ensuring wellbore integrity.This study provides a theoretical basis for optimizing fracture propagation and morphology in shale oil production.

Key words: shale oil reservoir, perforation parameters, helical perforation, hydraulic fracturing, fracture morphology

CLC Number:

TE357

ZOU Linhao, SHANG Litao, LI Bingjun, SU Yi′nao, JIANG Tianxiang, LI Wei, ZHAO Huan, WANG Jianbo. Fracture propagation patterns during hydraulic fracturing under different helical perforation parameters in shale oil reservoirs[J]. Special Oil & Gas Reservoirs, 2026, 33(2): 126-134.

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