Present-day in situ stress distribution in shale oil reservoirs of Boxing subsag from 1D mechanical earth model and 3D geomechanical model

Abstract

The Boxing subsag of the Bohai Bay Basin is estimated to contain a significant volume of shale oil resources; however, the present-day in situ stress distributions are poorly understood, which limits further shale oil production. To address the above issue, a one-dimensional mechanical earth model and three-dimensional geomechanical model were established to analyze the stress distribution within shale oil reservoirs of the Boxing subsag. The results indicate that the vertical (S_v), horizontal maximum (S_Hmax) and horizontal minimum (S_hmin) principal stress magnitudes follow the relationship of S_Hmax > S_v > S_hmin, indicating a dominant strike-slip faulting stress regime. Laterally, the distributions of S_Hmax and S_hmin are similar, with higher and lower stress values in the north-western and southern parts of the study area, respectively. The calculated horizontal and vertical stress difference coefficients suggest that hydraulic fractures in shale oil reservoir of the Boxing subsag may be complex. In addition, based on interpretations from imaging logs, the S_Hmax and natural fracture orientations are ~E–W-trending and ~ENE–WSW-trending, respectively. The angles between the S_Hmax orientation and fracture strike are relatively small, indicating that natural fractures are highly mechanically effective under the present-day in situ stress state. Horizontal wells are better drilled along the S_hmin orientation; therefore, hydraulic fractures may be optimal for contacting more reservoir rocks. The results provide geological and engineering references for shale oil development in the Boxing subsag.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

in situ stress / geomechanical model / mechanical earth model / Boxing subsag / shale oil / Bohai Bay Basin

References

[1] Aguilera R F, Radetzki M (2014). The shale revolution: global gas and oil markets under transformation.Miner Econ, 26(3): 75–84

[2] Al-Maamori H M, El Naggar M H, Micic S (2019). Wetting effects and strength degradation of swelling shale evaluated from multistage triaxial test.Undergr Space, 4(2): 79–97

[3] Anderson E M (1951). The Dynamics of Faulting and Dyke Formation with Applications to Britain (2nd edition). Edinburgh: Oliver,

[4] Bai C Y, Yu B S, Han S J, Shen Z H (2020). Characterization of lithofacies in shale oil reservoirs of a lacustrine basin in eastern China: implications for oil accumulation.J Petrol Sci Eng, 195: 107907

[5] Bai Y H, Liu L J, Fan W P, Sun H, Huang Z Q, Yao J (2021). Coupled compositional flow and geomechanics modeling of fractured shale oil reservoir with confined phase behavior.J Petrol Sci Eng, 196: 107608

[6] Becker I, Müller B, Koehrer B, Jelinek W, Hilgers C (2019). Present-day stress control on fluid migration pathways: case study of the Zechstein fractured carbonates, NW-Germany.Mar Pet Geol, 103: 320–330

[7] Bell J S (2006). In-situ stress and coal bed methane potential in western Canada.Bull Can Pet Geol, 54(3): 197–220

[8] Brooke-Barnett S, Flottmann T, Paul P K, Busetti S, Hennings P, Reid R, Rosenbaum G (2015). Influence of basement structures on in situ stresses over the Surat Basin, southeast Queensland.J Geophys Res Solid Earth, 120(7): 4946–4965

[9] Brown E T, Hoek E (1978). Trends in relationships between measured in situ stresses and depth.Int J Rock Mech Min Sci Geomech Abstr, 15(4): 211–215

[10] Chen M, Zhou J, Jin Y, Zhang G (2008). Experimental study on fracturing features in naturally fractured reservoir.Acta Petrol Sin, 29(3): 431–434

[11] de Jonge-Anderson I, Ma J S, Wu X Y, Stow D, Griffiths D (2022). Bowland shale well placement strategy. Part 2: fracture simulations using a 3D geomechanical model and implications for stratigraphic and spatial horizontal well locations.Energy Geoscience, 3(3): 235–254

[12] Fang Z W, Zhang L Q, Ma C F (2023). Development and controlling factors of shale lithofacies cycles in a continental rift basin: a case study of Es₄^u in the Boxing Subsag of Dongying Sag, Bohai Bay Basin, China.Front Earth Sci (Lausanne), 11: 1136012

[13] Fischer K, Henk A (2013). A workflow for building and calibrating 3-D geomechanical models – A case study for gas reservoir in the North German Basin.Solid Earth, 4(2): 347–355

[14] Fjaer E, Holt R M, Horsrud P, Raaen A M, Risnes R (2008). Petroleum Related Rock Mechanics (2nd edition). London: Elsevier, 1–491

[15] Fraser D, Gholami R, Sarmadi Valeh M (2021). Deformation rate analysis: how to determine in-situ stresses in unconventional gas reservoirs.Int J Rock Mech Min Sci, 146: 104892

[16] Fu E Q, He W D (2024). The development and utilization of shale oil and gas resources in China and economic analysis of energy security under the background of global energy crisis.J Pet Explor Prod Technol, 14(8−9): 2315–2341

[17] Guo H X, Guo T K (2013). Experimental evaluation of crushability of shale reservoirs in Luojia area, Shengli Oilfield.Pet Geol Exp, 35(3): 339–346

[18] Haghi A H, Chalaturnyk R, Ghobadi H (2018). The state of stress in SW Iran and implications for hydraulic fracturing of a naturally fractured carbonate reservoir.Int J Rock Mech Min Sci, 105: 28–43

[19] Hammond G P, O’Grady Á (2017). Indicative energy technology assessment of UK shale gas extraction.Appl Energy, 185: 1907–1918

[20] Heidbach O, Tingay M, Barth A, Reinecker J, Kurfeß D, Muller B (2010). Global crustal stress pattern based on the World Stress Map database release 2008.Tectonophysics, 482(1−4): 3–15

[21] Hillis R R, Reynolds S D (2003). in situ stress field of Australia.Geological Society of America Special Papers, 372: 49–58

[22] Huang J X, Peng S M, Wang X J, Xiao K (2006). Applications of imaging logging data in the research of fracture and ground stress.Acta Petrol Sin, 27(6): 65–69

[23] Hubbert M K, Willis D G (1957). Mechanics of hydraulic fracturing.Transactions of the AIME, 210: 153–168

[24] Jenkins A, Fathi E, Belyadi F (2017). Stress field behavior induced by hydraulic fracture in shale reservoirs: a practical view on cluster spacing.J Nat Gas Sci Eng, 48: 186–196

[25] Jiao F Z (2019). Theoretical insights, core technologies and practices concerning “volume development” of shale gas in China.Nat Gas Ind B, 6(6): 525–538

[26] Jin Z J, Liang X P (2024). Exploration and development of shale oil in China: state, challenges, and prospects.Russ Geol Geophys, 65(1): 20–34

[27] Jin Z J, Liang X P, Bai Z R (2022). Exploration breakthrough and its significance of Gulong lacustrine shale oil in the Songliao Basin, Northeastern China.Energy Geoscience, 3(2): 120–125

[28] Jiu K, Ding W L, Huang W H, You S G, Zhang Y Q, Zeng W T (2013). Simulation of paleotectonic stress field within Paleogene shale reservoirs and prediction of favorable zones for fracture development within the Zhanhua Depression, Bohai Bay Basin, east China.J Petrol Sci Eng, 110: 119–131

[29] Ju W, Niu X B, Feng S B, You Y, Xu K, Wang G, Xu H R (2020a). Predicting the present-day in situ stress distribution within the Yanchang Formation Chang 7 shale oil reservoir of Ordos Basin, central China.Petrol Sci, 17: 912–924

[30] Ju W, Niu X B, Feng S, Feng S B, You Y, Xu K, Wang G, Xu H R (2020b). Present-day in-situ stress field within the Yanchang Formation tight oil reservoir of Ordos Basin, central China.J Petrol Sci Eng, 187: 106809

[31] Ju W, Shen J, Qin Y, Meng S Z, Wu C F, Shen Y L, Yang Z B, Li G Z, Li C (2017). In-situ stress state in the Linxing region, eastern Ordos Basin, China: implications for unconventional gas exploration and production.Mar Pet Geol, 86: 66–78

[32] Ju W, Shen J, Qin Y, Wang G, Xu K, Li G Z, Li C (2021). Stress distribution in the Upper Shihezi Formation from 1D mechanical earth model and 3D heterogeneous geomechanical model, Linxing region, eastern Ordos Basin, central China.Acta Geol Sin Engl Ed, 95(3): 976–987

[33] Ju W, Sun W F (2016). Tectonic fractures in the Lower Cretaceous Xiagou Formation of Qingxi Oilfield, Jiuxi Basin, NW China. Part two: numerical simulation of tectonic stress field and prediction of tectonic fractures.J Petrol Sci Eng, 146: 626–636

[34] Lehtonen A, Cosgrove J W, Hudson J A, Johansson E (2012). An examination of in situ rock stress estimation using the Kaiser effect.Eng Geol, 124: 24–37

[35] Lei Q H, He Y A, Guo Q H, Dang Y C, Huang T J, Liu C C (2023b). Technological issues in shale oil development using horizontal wells in Ordos Basin, China.J Nat Gas Geosci, 8(6): 377–387

[36] Lei Q, Weng D W, Guan B S, Shi J F, Cai B, He C M, Sun Q, Huang R (2023a). Shale oil and gas exploitation in China: technical comparison with US and development suggestions.Pet Explor Dev, 50(4): 944–954

[37] Li Y, Yang H Q, Li B Q, Li Z H (2025). Interference behavior between bedding planes and hydraulic fractures and its influence on the complex fracture network in shale.Rock Mech Rock Eng, 58(1): 181–201

[38] Liang C, Cao Y C, Jiang Z X, Wu J, Song G Q, Wang Y S (2017). Shale oil potential of lacustrine black shale in the Eocene Dongying depression: implications for geochemistry and reservoir characteristics.AAPG Bull, 101(11): 1835–1858

[39] Liu H, Huang Y Q, Cai M, Meng S W, Tao J P (2023). Practice and development suggestions of hydraulic fracturing technology in the Gulong shale oil reservoirs of Songliao Basin, NE China.Pet Explor Dev, 50(3): 688–698

[40] Liu J S, Ding W L, Dai J S, Wu Z H, Yang H M (2018). Quantitative prediction of lower order faults based on the finite element method: a case study of the M35 Fault Block in the western Hanliu Fault Zone in the Gaoyou Sag, East China.Tectonics, 37(10): 3479–3499

[41] Lu C H, Jiang H Q, Yang J L, Yang H T, Cheng B Y, Zhang M, He J X, Li J J (2022). Simulation and optimization of hydraulic fracturing in shale reservoirs: a case study in the Permian Lucaogou formation, China.Energy Rep, 8: 2558–2573

[42] Meng J Y (2020). Research on Sequence Stratigraphic Framework and Depositional System of the Upper Forth Member of the Eocene Shahejie Formation in the Boxing Sag, Dongying Depression. Dissertation for Master Degree. Beijing: China University of Geosciences (Beijing), 1–129 (in Chinese)

[43] Niu X B, Feng S B, You Y, Xin H G, Liang X W, Hao B Y, Dan W D (2022). Analyzing major controlling factors of shale oil ‘sweet spots’ in the Chang-7 member of the Triassic Yanchang Formation, Ordos Basin.Unconventional Resources, 2: 51–59

[44] Philipp S L, Afsar F, Gudmundsson A (2013). Effects of mechanical layering on hydrofracture emplacement and fluid transport in reservoirs.Front Earth Sci, 1: 1–19

[45] Ren Q Q, Li L F, Wang J, Jiang R T, Li M P, Feng J W (2024). Dynamic evolution mechanism of the fracturing fracture system—Enlightenments from hydraulic fracturing physical experiments and finite element numerical simulation.Petrol Sci, 21(6): 3839–3866

[46] Renshaw C E, Pollard D D (1994). Are large differential stresses required for straight fracture propagation paths.J Struct Geol, 16(6): 817–822

[47] Saintot A, Angelier J (2002). Tectonic paleostress fields and structural evolution of the NW-Caucasus fold-and-thrust belt from Late Cretaceous to Quaternary.Tectonophysics, 357(1−4): 1–31

[48] Schmitt D R, Currie C A, Zhang L (2012). Crustal stress determination from boreholes and rock cores: fundamental principles.Tectonophysics, 580: 1–26

[49] Shi C, Lin B T (2021). Principles and influencing factors for shale formations.Petroleum Science Bulletin, 6(1): 92–113

[50] Tan P, Jin Y, Han K, Hou B, Chen M, Guo X F, Gao J (2017). Analysis of hydraulic fracture initiation and vertical propagation behavior in laminated shale formation.Fuel, 206: 482–493

[51] Wang C, Song W Q, Lin Y H, Zhang Y Y, Gao Q J, Wei X W (2020). The prediction method of in-situ stress based on pre-stack anisotropic parameter inversion.Geophys Geochem Explor, 44(1): 141–148

[52] Wang Z Q, Fan Z, Chen X, Li Y, Fan Z F, Wei Q, Peng Y, Liu B L, Yue W T, Wang X, Xiong L (2024). Global oil and gas development situation, trends and enlightenment in 2023.Pet Explor Dev, 51(6): 1536–1555

[53] Xu K, Yang H J, Zhang H, Ju W, Li C, Fang L, Wang Z M, Wang H Y, Yuan F, Zhao B, Zhang W, Liang J R (2022). Fracture effectiveness evaluation in ultra-deep reservoirs based on geomechanical method, Kuqa Depression, Tarim Basin, NW China.J Petrol Sci Eng, 215: 110604

[54] Yang Y, Khan D, Qiu L W, Du Y S, Jiang L, Li W Z, Zafar T, Ali F, Shaikh A (2022). Microscopic reservoir characteristics of the lacustrine calcareous shale: an example from the Es₄^s shale of the Paleogene Shahejie Formation in Boxing sag, Dongying Depression.ACS Omega, 7(41): 36748–36761

[55] Yin S, Ding W L, Zhou W, Shan Y M, Xie R C, Guo C H, Cao X Y, Wang R Y, Wang X H (2017). in situ stress field evaluation of deep marine tight sandstone oil reservoir: a case study of Silurian strata in northern Tazhong area, Tarim Basin, NW China.Mar Pet Geol, 80: 49–69

[56] Yong R, Wu J F, Huang H Y, Xu E, Xu B (2022). Complex in situ stress states in a deep shale gas reservoir in the southern Sichuan Basin, China: from field stress measurements to in situ stress modeling.Mar Pet Geol, 141: 105702

[57] Zhang Y S, Zhang J C, Yuan B, Yin S X (2018). In-situ stresses controlling hydraulic fracture propagation and fracture breakdown pressure.J Petrol Sci Eng, 164: 164–173

[58] Zoback M D (2007). Reservoir Geomechanics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1–449

[59] Zoback M D, Barton C A, Brudy M, Castillo D A, Finkbeiner T, Grollimund B R, Moos D B, Peska P, Ward C D, Wiprut D J (2003). Determination of stress orientation and magnitude in deep wells.Int J Rock Mech Min Sci, 40(7−8): 1049–1076

Rights & permissions

Higher Education Press