An Evaluation Index of Fracability for Reservoir Rocks Based on Fracture Process Zone

A reliable evaluation method for the fracability (i.e., ability to generate abundant cracks) of reservoir rocks is a critical issue for maximum hydraulic fracturing efficiency. Most previous fracability indices lacked enough rationality and practicability, and thus could not consistently provide a reliable evaluation. We suggest a new fracability index called crack tolerance, which is represented by the maximum radius of the fracture process zone at the crack tip of a cracked chevron notched Brazilian disk specimen, which corresponds to the critical state for unstable propagation of the notched crack. In experiments and simulations based on the discrete element method, we showed quantitative methods to conveniently determine the value of the crack tolerance and showed that specimens with a greater crack tolerance generated more cracks before rupture and had complex morphologies, which would indicate stronger fracability. The crack tolerance can well characterize the effects of structural and loading conditions, including the grain size heterogeneity, bedding orientation, and environmental temperature, on fracability, and the inherent heterogeneity of rock is the physical basis for it as a fracability evaluation index. Our studies showed the rationality and practicability of this index and provide hints for how to produce abundant complex cracks in reservoirs.