Field experiments on hydraulic fracturing

Conference · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1970 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5310933

von Schonfeldt, H; Fairhurst, C

Hydraulic fracturing experiments at 2 underground and one near-surface location in igneous and shale formations are described. The purpose of the tests was to study the feasibility of hydraulic fracturing as a method of determining in situ stresses. The tests were conducted in open holes of 2-1/4 in. diam with specially designed equipment. Fracturing tests on two 5-ft diam cores also are reported. The results were very encouraging for the following reasons: (1) At all 3 locations, a clear increase in the magnitude of the stress was measured as the face of an opening was approached from inside the rock mass. This is in agreement with continuum theory predictions of stress concentrations around openings, and indicates that the method is capable of giving an estimate of the stress magnitude, provided it is possible to determine the rupture strength of the rock; (2) The occurrence of horizontal fractures in areas of reportedly high lateral (compressive) stresses (i.e., horizontal stresses in excess of the vertical stress) is further evidence for the validity of the principle of least resistance, i.e., that the fracture will extend in a direction perpendicular to the least compressive stress. (14 refs.)

• Research Organization: Texas Univ, Austin; Minnesota Univ
• OSTI ID: 5310933
• Report Number(s): CONF-701012-
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Journal Volume: SPE-3033
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
03 NATURAL GAS
030900 -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare-- (-1989)
58 GEOSCIENCES
580300 -- Mineralogy
Petrology
& Rock Mechanics-- (-1989)
COMMINUTION
COMPRESSION STRENGTH
CRACK PROPAGATION
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FIELD TESTS
FRACTURE MECHANICS
FRACTURE PROPERTIES
FRACTURING
GEOLOGIC STRUCTURES
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
IGNEOUS ROCKS
MATERIALS TESTING
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICAL TESTS
MECHANICS
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCK MECHANICS
ROCKS
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SHALES
STRESS INTENSITY FACTORS
TESTING