Kumar Shwetank

Research Problem

Coupled SPH-FDM procedures for the analysis of fracturing in dual permeable rock media

Porous rock media is the store house of valuable conventional and unconventional energy sources. There are different techniques implemented in industries for improving the recovery of oil and gas from the reservoirs with low permeability and conductivity. One of the most widely used well stimulation techniques since late 1940's is Hydrofracking. It is basically a process by which a fracture is initiated and propagated by injecting a high pressurized fluid generally water along with sorted sand (proppant) and some chemical additives, in the compressively prestressed rock media. The modelling of hydrofracking even in most basic form is quite difficult and the presence of existing natural fractures and their interactions with hydro fractures, complex in-situ stress conditions, existence of inherent geological discontinuities and flaws, leak-off of fracturing fluid to surrounding rocks make the modeling even more challenging. Figure below describes a schematic of such complex geological system where a wellbore is fractured to extract oil/gas
The numerical research will focus on the multiphase flow of fluid through porous and fractured system to the wellbore under the prevailing in‐situ stress conditions, geological discontinuities and others.
I am currently developing a coupled SPH-FDM algorithm for simulating the fracture propagation in porous rock media. The results will also be validated through laboratory tests on rock/coal samples.

A Few Accomplishments

Selected for PMRF Scheme

Qualified for one of the esteemed research scholarship grant by the Government of India in 2018

J.C. Ghosh Memorial Award

Recieved this award for being the Department topper with Highest CGPA in the year 2015

Cracked IIT-JEE

Cleared IIT-JEE in 2012 and completed B.Tech and M.tech from the Department of Mining Engineering, IIT Kharagpur

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