Numerical Investigation to Influence of Perforation Angle on Hydraulic Fracturing Process

Considering the heterogeneous characteristics of rock in a meso-scale, a flow–stress–damage coupling model was created based on the finite element method firstly. Then the hydraulic fracturing process of the heterogeneity rockmass under different perforation angles were investigated by the RFPA2D-flow software. The numerical simulation results show that the maximum principle stress controls the fracture propagation direction no matter how perforation angle changes. With the increase of the perforation angle, a turning fracture becomes more obvious and the turning distance bigger. The best perforation angle area is from 0° to 30°. Above results are of some significance to hydraulic fracturing tests and engineering practice.