Numerical Simulation Study and Field Practice of Balanced Fracture Propagation Under Non-Uniform Perforation: A Case Study of Shale Oil in the Kong’er Member of the Cangdong Sag

Multi-cluster perforation staged fracturing in horizontal wells has become an important means of completion stimulation for unconventional oil and gas reservoirs. However, the non-uniform propagation of multi-cluster hydraulic fractures remains one of the key challenges restricting efficient reservoir stimulation. In this study, based on the finite element method and considering factors such as frictional pressure drop along the wellbore for power-law fluid, perforation friction, and stress interference, a fracture propagation model with dynamic multi-stage flow distribution coupling formation, perforation, and wellbore flow was constructed. The effects of non-uniform perforation schemes, total number of perforations, and perforation non-uniformity coefficient on multi-cluster fracture propagation behavior were systematically investigated, and the characteristics of dynamic flow distribution were clarified. The results show that the order of fluid intake uniformity among different perforation schemes is as follows: spindle-shaped perforation, uniform perforation, and Tapered perforation. Reducing the number of perforations and decreasing the perforation non-uniformity coefficient can improve the uniformity of fracture propagation to a certain extent. The findings of this study can provide a theoretical basis and practical reference for efficient fracturing stimulation of shale oil in the Cangdong Sag.