Hydraulic fracturing dynamics in natural and artificial low-permeability porous media

Despite the impact that hydraulic fracturing has on the energy sector, the physical mechanisms that control its efficiency and environmental impacts remain poorly understood in part because of the complex heterogeneous structures of the natural low permeability formations. We developed an experimental approach to study the hydraulic fracture propagation in both natural and model low-permeability media. Natural shale sample, thin sections of Mancos Shale, and engineered gels have been hydro-fractured under controlled conditions. The combination of high-speed imaging during the process and X-ray tomography before and after allows us to monitor the fracture propagation and gives insight on how heterogeneities drive hydraulic fracturing dynamics.