Optimization of spacing between temporary plugging fracturing clusters in tight conglomerate reservoirs

<br>Tight conglomerate reservoirs need hydraulic fracturing to improve the efficiency of fracture network reconstruction. In this paper, the finite element (FEM) and discrete element (DEM) coupling method is used to simulate the solid calculation problem of hydraulic fracturing, and the flow field in the fracture is solved by the central finite volume method (FVM). The stress interference and cluster spacing optimization of the temporary plugging in the fracture are studied by using this FE-DE-FV coupling method. The results show that the stress interference generated by simultaneous fracturing of multiple fractures is beneficial to the formation of complex fractures, and reasonable cluster spacing can enable the intersection of stress reversal zones. Under the temporary plugging condition, it is difficult to form complex fracture network because the cluster spacing is too small, the fracture extension length is short, the cluster spacing is too large, and the stress interference between the fractures is small. The optimization of cluster spacing is also closely related to the in-situ stress difference. The larger the stress difference is, the smaller the cluster spacing should be used to enhance the stress interference.<br>