Optimizing Hydraulic Fracturing: Managing Fracture Toughness and Stress Shadow Effects in the Paradox Basin

Abstract: This study evaluates hydraulic fracturing strategies and their interplay with natural fracture activation in the Cane Creek Unit of the Paradox Formation. Fracture toughness measurements strongly correlate with quartz content, while halite-rich zones exhibit significantly lower resistance to fracture propagation, leading to undesirable extension into salt layers. Using a planar fracture modeling approach, we simulate stress shadow effects and pore pressure increases, revealing their impact on natural fracture activation and hydraulic fracture containment. The results show that tighter cluster spacing and reduced injection volumes limit salt intrusion but also reduce fracture surface area within productive zones. The stress shadow effects were found to enhance shear stress on near-field natural fractures, improving their potential for slippage under targeted conditions. These findings emphasize the importance of balancing stimulation designs to optimize reservoir connectivity while mitigating operational challenges posed by the surrounding salt formations. Highlights: Fracture toughness correlates positively with quartz content and negatively with halite. Stress shadow and pore pressure significantly influence natural fracture activation. Tighter cluster spacing limits salt intrusion but reduces productive fracture surface area. Simulated stress shadow effects enhance near-field natural fracture slippage potential. Optimized stimulation designs enhance reservoir connectivity while confining fractures to the productive zone.