Measurement of width and pressure in a propagating hydraulic fracture
Measurements of width and pressure in a propagating hydraulic fracture have been made in tests conducted at DOE's Nevada Test Site. This was accomplished by creating an ''instrumented fracture'' at a tunnel complex (at a depth of 1400 ft) where realistic in-situ conditions prevail, particularly with respect to stress and geologic features such as natural fractures and material anisotropy. Analyses of these data show that the pressure drop along the fracture length is much larger than predicted by viscous theory and currently in use in models today. This is apparently due to the tortuosity of the fracture path, multiple fracture strands, roughness and sharp turns (corners) in the flow path due to natural fractures and rock property variations. It suggests that fracture design models need to be updated to include a more realistic friction factor so that fracture lengths are not overestimated.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia Natl. Lab.
- OSTI ID:
- 5396382
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-830305-
- Journal Information:
- Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Vol. SPE/DOE; Conference: SPE symposium on low permeability, Denver, CO, USA, 14 Mar 1983
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
In situ measurements of hydraulic fracture behavior, PTE-3. Final report
Measurement of width and pressure in a propagating hydraulic fracture
Related Subjects
03 NATURAL GAS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
CRACK PROPAGATION
MEASURING METHODS
PRESSURE DROP
PRESSURE MEASUREMENT
DATA ANALYSIS
FRICTION FACTOR
HYDRAULIC FRACTURES
NEVADA TEST SITE
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
STRESS ANALYSIS
US DOE
COMMINUTION
FAILURES
FRACTURES
FRACTURING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
US ORGANIZATIONS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
030900 - Natural Gas- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare- (-1989)