Hydraulic fracture propagation in layered rock: experimental studies of fracture containment

Conference · Wed Dec 31 23:00:00 EST 1980 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6161079

Teufel, L W; Clark, J A

Fracture geometry is an important concern in the design of a massive hydraulic fracture treatment for improved natural gas recovery from tight gas sands. Possible prediction of vertical fracture growth and containment in layered rock requires an improved understanding of the parameters which may control fracture growth across layer interfaces. Laboratory hydraulic fracture experiments and elastic finite element studies have been conducted which show that at least 2 distinct geologic conditions may inhibit or contain the vertical growth of hydraulic fractures in layered rock: (1) a weak interfacial shear strength of the layers, and (2) a compressional increase in the minimum horizontal stress in the bounding layer. The second condition is more important and more likely to occur at depth. Variations in the horizontal stress can result from differences in elastic properties of individual layers in a layered rock sequence. A compressional increase in the minimum horizontal stress can occur in going from high shear modulus into low shear modulus layers.

• OSTI ID: 6161079
• Report Number(s): CONF-810518-
• Journal Information: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Journal Name: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States) Vol. SPE/DOE-9878; ISSN SEAPA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

03 NATURAL GAS
030900* -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
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COMMINUTION
CRACK PROPAGATION
ELASTICITY
ENERGY SOURCES
FAILURES
FINITE ELEMENT METHOD
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURES
FRACTURING
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
HYDRAULIC FRACTURES
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
LAYERS
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
MECHANICS
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
NUMERICAL SOLUTION
RESERVOIR ROCK
ROCK MECHANICS
SHEAR PROPERTIES
STIMULATION
STRESS ANALYSIS
TENSILE PROPERTIES
TESTING
WELL COMPLETION
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS