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Processes
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Hydraulic Fracturing Experiment, Simulation, and Optimization
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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: closed (15 April 2026) | Viewed by 866

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Bo Wang

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Guest Editor
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
Dr. Jie Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
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
Dr. Shiqian Xu

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 Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

20 pages, 4751 KB  
Article
Coupled Thermo–Hydro–Mechanical Analysis of Leak-off-Induced Fracture Width Evolution and Lost Circulation in Depleted Reservoirs
by Zengwei Chen, Yanbin Zang, Yi Wang, Yan Zhang, Mengjiang Wang, Shusen Wang, Lianke Cui and Chunbo Zhu
Processes 2026, 14(8), 1323; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr14081323 - 21 Apr 2026
Abstract
This study develops a fully coupled thermo–hydro–mechanical (THM) finite-element model to investigate fracture-induced fluid loss in depleted formations. To address the issue of assuming a homogeneous, unfractured medium, this approach incorporates the effects of pre-existing or induced fractures. By integrating thermoelastic stresses, fluid [...] Read more.
This study develops a fully coupled thermo–hydro–mechanical (THM) finite-element model to investigate fracture-induced fluid loss in depleted formations. To address the issue of assuming a homogeneous, unfractured medium, this approach incorporates the effects of pre-existing or induced fractures. By integrating thermoelastic stresses, fluid flow, and transient heat transfer, the model provides a more accurate simulation of coupled interactions, enabling a deeper understanding of stress evolution and fracture aperture behavior under temperature variations. The results show that pressure depletion reduces horizontal principal stresses in an approximately linear manner, with the minimum horizontal stress being more sensitive. The influence of wellbore pressure is concentrated in the near-wellbore region (r/rw < 2), where it increases circumferential stress at low azimuths and exhibits an almost linear positive correlation with fracture aperture. Fracture length has a negligible effect on pore-pressure variations (≤0.19 MPa) but increases circumferential stress at high azimuths and enlarges the aperture near the wellbore. Temperature effects, through thermoelastic stresses, dominate local stress redistribution, with the 90° azimuth showing the strongest sensitivity. Higher injection temperatures increase circumferential and radial stresses while decreasing near-wellbore aperture, whereas lower temperatures produce the opposite response. Although temperature differences cause only minor changes in pore pressure and far-field stresses, they exert first-order control on near-wellbore width evolution and the likelihood of lost circulation. These findings indicate that coordinated optimization of wellbore pressure, fracture dimensions, and injection temperature under depletion conditions is important for mitigating fracture-induced fluid loss and improving drilling safety and efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hydraulic Fracturing Experiment, Simulation, and Optimization)
22 pages, 3843 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
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 434
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)
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