Numerical model of massive hydraulic fracture. Final report. [SYMFRAC1]

Technical Report · Fri Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1985

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6108263· OSTI ID:6108263

Palmer, I. D.; Craig, H. R.; Luiskutty, C. T.

This project has involved development of a hydraulic fracture simulator which calculates fracture height as a function of distance from the wellbore in a situation in which a payzone is bounded by two zones in which the minimum in-situ stress is higher (the fracture is vertical). The fracture must be highly elongated (length/height ratio approximately greater than 4) and variations in elastic modulus across zones are ignored. First, we describe the leakoff and spurt loss calculations employed in the modeling. Second, we discuss a revised version of the vertically symmetric simulator (bounding zone stresses equal). The addition of non-Newtonian flow and leakoff (including spurt loss) is described in detail. An illustrative result is given. Third, we describe in detail the vertically asymmetric simulator (bounding zone stresses not equal). To illustrate the last results, we present design calculations for a 30,000 gallon fracture, which was the first stimulation in the Multi-Well Experiment. The 80 ft fracture interval in the Paludal zone has at its upper edge a 520 psi stress contrast, and at its lower edge a 1195 psi contrast. Computed fracture height growth above and below the perforated interval, bottomhole pressure, and width profiles in vertical sections are displayed. Comparison is made with diagnostic measurements of fracture length, height, and bottomhole pressure. The appropriate computer codes are included in this report. 21 references, 11 figures, 4 tables.

• Research Organization: Oral Roberts Univ., Tulsa, OK (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AS19-80BC10215
• OSTI ID: 6108263
• Report Number(s): DOE/BC/10215-30; ON: DE85000118
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ANALOG SYSTEMS
COMPUTER CODES
COMPUTERIZED SIMULATION
CRACK PROPAGATION
DIMENSIONS
FAILURES
FRACTURES
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
HEIGHT
HYDRAULIC FRACTURES
LENGTH
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
S CODES
SIMULATION
SIMULATORS