Hydraulic Fracturing Experiment, Simulation, and Optimization

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Energy Systems".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 April 2026 | Viewed by 110

Special Issue Editors

Karamay Campus Petroleum Institute, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Karamay 834000, China
Interests: hydraulic fracturing field process; artificial intelligence-assisted hydraulic fracturing optimization; reservoir numerical simulation; integrated geological engineering modeling and simulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
School of Petroleum Engineering, Yangtze University, Jingzhou 434023, China
Interests: CCUS and enhanced oil recovery in unconventional reservoirs; formation, suppression, and decomposition of natural gas hydrates; cementing technology research
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu 610500, China
Interests: numerical simulation; development optimization; fluid–solid coupling

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

The concept of integrated geological engineering has gained widespread acceptance in various oilfields. Hydraulic fracturing technology, as a key method for improving oil and gas extraction efficiency, has played a pivotal role in recent developments relating to energy. However, the effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing is often influenced by complex geological conditions and the behavior of fracture propagation. Therefore, based on the integrated geological engineering concept, combining geological engineering with hydraulic fracturing technology to study fracture optimization strategies can effectively enhance fracturing effectiveness, reduce construction risks, and promote the sustainable extraction of oil and gas resources.

In addition to the technical advancements, the environmental and economic implications of hydraulic fracturing methods must be carefully evaluated. The adoption of innovative modeling techniques must consider their feasibility in real-world applications, taking into account both the long-term environmental impacts and economic viability. As such, this Special Issue aims to explore the latest developments in integrated modeling and optimization, with an emphasis on real-world applications, computational tools, and methodologies that can lead to more sustainable, economically viable, and efficient hydraulic fracturing operations.

This Special Issue, entitled “Hydraulic Fracturing Experiment, Simulation, and Optimization”, seeks high quality works focusing on the latest research findings in relation to geological engineering integration and fracture optimization in reservoir modification.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Integrated geomechanical modeling and fracture propagation simulations;
  • Integrated approaches to geomechanics and fracturing optimization;
  • Innovative reservoir modeling and optimization techniques;
  • Multi-physics simulations for fracture design and optimization;
  • Machine learning and data integration in fracturing optimization;
  • Fracture–reservoir interaction modeling for effective field development.

Thank you and I hope you consider contributing to this Special Issue.

Dr. Bo Wang
Dr. Jie Wang
Dr. Shiqian Xu
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

  • fracturing optimization
  • geology–engineering integration
  • optimization of construction parameters
  • fracturing design
  • reservoir reconstruction
  • production optimization
  • integrated geological modeling

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (1 paper)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

23 pages, 1326 KB  
Article
Numerical Simulation Study on the Mechanism of Pore Volume Expansion and Permeability Enhancement by High-Pressure Water Injection in Low Permeability Reservoirs
by Yugong Wang, Yang Xu, Yong Li, Ping Chen, Hongjiang Zou, Jianan Li, Yuwei Sun, Jianyu Li, Hualei Xu and Jie Wang
Processes 2026, 14(1), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14010048 - 22 Dec 2025
Abstract
High-pressure water injection (HPWI) refers to injecting water into the formation under conditions where the injection pressure is higher than or close to the formation fracture pressure. This technique can effectively improve the water absorption capacity of low-permeability reservoirs and maintain the formation [...] Read more.
High-pressure water injection (HPWI) refers to injecting water into the formation under conditions where the injection pressure is higher than or close to the formation fracture pressure. This technique can effectively improve the water absorption capacity of low-permeability reservoirs and maintain the formation pressure above the bubble point. It is a key technology for solving the problem of “difficult injection and difficult recovery” in low-permeability reservoirs, thereby achieving increased injection and enhanced production. However, due to the lack of a unified understanding of the mechanisms of dynamic micro-fractures and the mechanism of pore volume expansion and permeability enhancement during HPWI, the technology has not been widely promoted and applied. Based on an in-depth analysis of the mechanism of high-pressure water injection and by building a geological model for an actual oilfield development block, the “compaction–expansion” theory of rocks is used to characterize the variation in reservoir properties with pore pressure. This model is used to simulate the reservoir’s pore volume expansion and permeability enhancement effects during high-pressure water injection. The research results show the following: (1) HPWI can increase the effective distance of injected water by changing the permeability of the affected area. (2) During HPWI, the effective areas in the reservoir are divided into three regions: the enhanced-permeability zone (EPZ), the swept zone without permeability enhancement, and the unswept zone. Moreover, the EPZ expands significantly with higher injection pressure, rate, and volume. However, the degree of reservoir heterogeneity will significantly affect the effect of HPWI. (3) Simulation of two production modes—“HPWI–well soaking–oil production” and “simultaneous HPWI and oil production”—shows that under the first production mode, the degree of uniformity of the production wells’ response is higher. However, in the production wells in the EPZ, after a certain stage, an overall water flooding phenomenon occurs. In the second mode, the production wells in the water channeling direction show an alternating and rapid water-flooding phenomenon, while the production wells in the non-water channeling areas are hardly affected. Meanwhile, for local production wells with poor effectiveness of high-pressure water injection, hydraulic fracturing can be used as a pilot or remedial measure to achieve pressure-induced effectiveness and improve the sweep efficiency of the injected water. The results of this study explain the mechanisms of volume expansion and permeability enhancement during high-pressure water injection, providing guiding significance for the on-site application and promotion of high-pressure water injection technology in low-permeability reservoirs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydraulic Fracturing Experiment, Simulation, and Optimization)
Back to TopTop