Publication at Faculty of Science |
2009
Abstract
Hydraulic fracture stimulation is frequently performed in hydrocarbon reservoirs and geothermal systems to increase the permeability of the rock formation. These hydraulic fractures are often mapped by hypocentres of induced microearthquakes.
In some cases microseismicity exhibits asymmetry relative to the injection well, which can be interpreted by unequal conditions for fracture growth at opposite sides of the well or by observation effects. Here we investigate the role of the lateral change of the minimum compressive stress.
We use a simple model to describe the relation among the lateral stress gradient, the mean viscous pressure gradients in the fracture wings, the fracture geometry, and the net pressure in the fracture.