Hydraulic fracture behavior at a geologic formation interface: pre-mineback report
An experiment has been conducted to study hydraulic fracture behavior at a geologic formation interface. Fractures were initiated above and below an interface between welded tuff with modulus of elasticity (E), Poisson's ratio (..nu..), porosity (phi) and permeability (k) of 3.8 x 10/sup 6/ psi, 0.239, 13% and 0.01 md, respectively, overlying a bedded ash-fall tuff with E, ..nu.., phi, and k of 2.4 x 10/sup 5/ psi, 0.312, 45% and 0.01 md, respectively. Nine-thousand gallons and five thousand gallons of colored cement were injected into the ash-fall tuff and welded tuff, respectively, at a flow rate of 6 bbl/min. Conventional fracture design calculations indicated that this volume was sufficient to propagate 50 ft high fractures, 600 ft total length in each zone. Material property measurements from logs and laboratory tests on core samples, in situ stresses in adjacent regions, design calculations, pumping schedules and treatment operations relevant to this experiment are described. Mineback through the experiment regions has been initiated and will allow direct observation of the created fracture systems. Evaluation of the fracture behavior, particularly at the interface, will be performed during mineback and integrated with the present data to provide a better understanding of hydraulic fracturing.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia Labs., Albuquerque, NM (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- EY-76-C-04-0789
- OSTI ID:
- 6620463
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-78-1578
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
ENHANCED RECOVERY
EVALUATION
FRACTURES
GEOLOGY
INTERFACES
NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
NEVADA TEST SITE
RESERVOIR ROCK
WELL STIMULATION
COMMINUTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FAILURES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FRACTURING
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
ROCKS
WELLS
030900* - Natural Gas- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare- (-1989)