Theoretical and Numerical Models to Predict Fracking Debonding Zone and Optimize Perforation Cluster Spacing in Layered Shale

Shale is a typical layered and anisotropic material whose properties are characterized primarily by locally oriented anisotropic clay minerals and naturally formed bedding planes. The debonding of the bedding planes will greatly influence the shale fracking to form a large-scale highly permeable fracture network, named stimulated reservoir volume (SRV). In this paper, both theoretical and numerical models are developed to quantitatively predict the growth of debonding zone in layered shale under fracking, and the good agreement is obtained between the theoretical and numerical prediction results. Two dimensionless parameters are proposed to characterize the conditions of tensile and shear debonding in bedding planes. It is found that debonding is mainly caused by the shear failure of bedding planes in the actual reservoir. Then the theoretical model is applied to design the perforation cluster spacing to optimize SRV, which is important in fracking. If the spacing is too small, there will be overlapping areas of SRV and the fracking efficiency is low. If the spacing is too large, there will be stratum that cannot be stimulated. So another two dimensionless parameters are proposed to evaluate the size and efficiency of stimulating volume at the same time. By maximizing these two parameters, the optimal perforation cluster spacing and SRV can be quantitatively calculated to guide the fracking treatment design. These results are comparable with data from the field engineering.