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Hydraulic fracturing in porous-permeable materials

Conference · · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5545813

Extensive laboratory tests have been conducted to study hydraulic fracturing initiation in porous-permeable materials under open-hole conditions. Hydrostone specimens containing a vertical central hole simulating a well bore were subjected to unequal 3-dimensional compressive loadings, parallel and perpendicular to the hole axis. Fractures due to internal pressurization of the model well bore were always tensile ruptures. Initiation pressures were close to values predicted theoretically for porous-permeable materials. Fractures were always either vertical, normal to the smaller horizontal compressive load, or horizontal initiated close to the end of the packed-off region. Three pressurizing rates (6 psi/sec, 60 psi/sec, 600 psi/sec) were tested on hydrostone 32/100, cubical samples. The resulting critical pressures were clearly dependent upon the rate of pressurization, in accordance with theories of strength which show an inverse relationship between the time a load is applied to a sample and its tensile strength. (13 refs.)

Research Organization:
Halliburton Co; Minnesota Univ
OSTI ID:
5545813
Report Number(s):
CONF-680926-
Journal Information:
Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. SPE2354; ISSN SEAPA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English