Modeling of fluid-driven fracture interaction with natural discontinuities

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The proposed study concerns propagation of fluid-driven or hydraulic fractures in reservoir rock. These fractures, created by pumping a viscous fluid from a wellbore, are widely used to increase production from gas and oil bearing rock, and considered a viable mechanism to reduce greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by injecting them into underground formations. Pre-existing fractures (bedding planes, joints, faults, and pre-existing fracture networks) ubiquitous in reservoir rock often play defining role in hydraulic fracture propagation. This research will improve understanding of this role, and provide novel theoretical, computational, and experimental tools for hydraulic fracture modeling.