Numerical simulation of fracture propagation in deep coal seam reservoirs

Abstract As an unconventional oil and gas resource, coalbed methane has become a key area of unconventional oil and gas exploration worldwide, and hydraulic fracturing is the critical technology for the efficient stimulation of coalbed methane. However, due to the strong heterogeneity of deep coal seam reservoirs and the development of natural cleat fractures, the fracture propagation path is quite complex and difficult to capture. In this study, we propose a hydraulic fracture propagation simulation method using the ABAQUS Software for natural cleat fracture networks and a fluid–solid fully coupled two‐dimensional finite element model with the global embedded cohesive zone model (CZM). CZM is established to simulate the propagation of hydraulic fractures in the heterogeneous combination of coal rock and mudstone. The accuracy of this model is verified by using Blanton's experiment criterion. Finally, the model is used to simulate the influence of cleat angle, cleat density, length ratio of coal rock and mudstone combination, and construction displacement on the propagation behavior of hydraulic fractures. This study aims to deepen the understanding of the mechanism of hydraulic fracture propagation in deep coal seams and provides guidance for deep coal seam fracturing and hydraulic fracturing design.