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Fracture Surface Evolution During Acidized Brine Injection in Calcareous Mudrocks
Hasan Javed Khan1, Ridha Al-Abdrabalnabi1, Murtada Saleh Al-Jawad1
1Department of Petroleum Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia 34464.
Acidized brine injection alters calcite-rich shale fractures, increasing aperture through mineral dissolution. This process creates fines that reduce fracture conductivity under compressive stress.
Area of Science:
- Geology
- Petroleum Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Hydraulic fracturing fluids alter rock fracture surfaces, creating reaction-altered zones.
- Physicochemical changes are primarily on the shale surface with limited reaction penetration depth.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate physicochemical evolution of calcite-rich fracture surfaces during acidized brine injection.
- Analyze fracture aperture growth and surface property changes under compressive stress.
Main Methods:
- Acidized brine injection into calcite-rich Wolfcamp shale fractures.
- High-resolution computed tomography for aperture measurement.
- Surface roughness analysis, X-ray fluorescence, and mass spectrometry for physicochemical changes.
Main Results:
- Fracture aperture increased by approximately 8.3 μm.
- Fracture topography became smoother post-injection.
- Calcite dissolution was confirmed by surface stripping and effluent analysis.
Conclusions:
- Mineral dissolution is the primary mechanism for fracture aperture growth.
- Surface weakening and compressive stress promote fines generation, reducing fracture conductivity.
- Rock mineralogy significantly influences fracture evolution mechanisms.
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