Research On The Law Of Hydraulic Fracture Propagation Based On Entropy Theory

An in-depth knowledge and thorough understanding of hydraulic fracture initiation and propagation law is essential to deploy well pattern, to formulate oil and gas development strategy and to improve oil and gas recovery.The author review the current trend of fracture development has found that previous theoretical research has analyzed the fracture propagation law from stress perspective. However, various defects existed within the rock has caused the stress distribution uneven. The use of stress theory is difficult to describe the real process of fracture initiation and propagation accurately and reasonably. To solve the problem of existing methods, a new approach is needed to analyzing the true shape of the hydraulic fracture and to do further research and exploration. Entropy characterizes the degree of order or energy distribution uniformity. Hydraulic fracture initiation and propagation process always accompanied with the conversion of energy and entropy change. So, application the entropy theory into hydraulic fracture analysis is feasible.The innovative introduction of entropy theory and energy principle to the investigate fracture propagation law discuss the impact factors of hydraulic fracture propagation and determine the entropy theory of hydraulic fracturing study. Fracture initiation entropy change equation is built based on translation stress the factors affected the hydraulic fracturing into entropy. A new hydraulic fracture initiation criteria and model is obtained. I show a new method of description fracture propagation laws from the perspective of the entropy. Explain the substance of fracture initiation, expansion and closure from the microscopic point of view.This research provides guidance to solve the engineering problem of hydraulic fracturing and enriches the theory of hydraulic fracturing propagation.