Theoretical Studies and Simulations of Complex Fracture Propagation in Shale Oil and Gas
A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Petroleum and Low-Carbon Energy Process Engineering".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2027 | Viewed by 533
Special Issue Editors
Interests: hydraulic fracturing; geomechanics; complex fracture propagation; multi-physics coupling; numerical modelling
Interests: deep rock mechanics; deep unconventional energy mining; dynamic response of disaster environment protection structure
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: rock mechanics; geomechanics; reservoir reformation; hydraulic fracturing; unconventional reservoir development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Shale oil and gas have emerged as pivotal energy sources globally, playing a critical role in safeguarding energy security and stabilizing energy supplies amid the transition to low-carbon energy systems. Hydraulic fracturing, the most indispensable core technology for shale oil and gas development, has evolved into the 4.0 era, characterized by precise control, multi-field coupling optimization, and efficient fracture network construction. However, recent post-fracturing coring tests in major shale plays of the United States and China have revealed significant discrepancies between field-observed fracture formation mechanisms and existing theories. For instance, core analysis suggests that high-displacement fracturing may induce hydraulic fracture self-bifurcation during propagation—enabling fracture network construction independent of natural fractures—yet conventional numerical simulation methods struggle to accurately characterize this phenomenon. These inconsistencies highlight the urgent need for systematic research and discussion. This Special Issue focuses on the theoretical advancements and numerical simulation methods of fracture propagation in shale oil and gas fracturing.
This Special Issue entitled “Theoretical Studies and Simulations of Complex Fracture Propagation in Shale Oil and Gas” aims to integrate cutting-edge research from scholars worldwide, promoting progress in theories related to shale fracture formation mechanisms and optimizing numerical simulation techniques to address practical challenges in shale energy development. Topics include, but are not limited to, methods and/or applications in the following areas:
- Initiation and propagation mechanisms;
- Flow in fractures and inter-fracture flow competition;
- Multi-scale fracture mechanics characteristics;
- Stress response during fracturing processes;
- Post-fracturing geomechanical characteristics;
- Problems and challenges of existing fracturing technologies;
- Next-generation fracturing technologies and supporting tools.
Dr. Xuanhe Tang
Dr. Peng Zhao
Dr. Liuke Huang
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.
Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.
Keywords
- shale oil and gas
- hydraulic fracturing
- initiation and propagation
- geomechanics
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