Thermal technique for controlling hydraulic fractures

Wu, R.; Germanovich, L. N.; Dyke, Peter E. Van; Lowell, R. P.

doi:10.1029/2005jb003815

Cited by 14 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…Quantitative monitoring of complex nonplanar fracture propagation via acoustic or optical methods is certainly not straightforward. Theoretical predictions of mixed modes I, II, and III hydraulic fracture propagation may even be more challenging, especially the fracture front segmentation observed experimentally in Wu et al [], for example.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiments versus theory for the initiation and propagation of radial hydraulic fractures in low‐permeability materials

et al. 2017

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We compare numerical predictions of the initiation and propagation of radial fluid‐driven fractures with laboratory experiments performed in different low‐permeability materials (PMMA, cement). In particular, we choose experiments where the time evolution of several quantities (fracture width, radius, and wellbore pressure) was accurately measured and for which the material and injection parameters were known precisely. Via a dimensional analysis, we discuss in detail the different physical phenomena governing the initiation and early stage of growth of radial hydraulic fractures from a notched wellbore. The scaling analysis notably clarifies the occurrence of different regimes of propagation depending on the injection rate, system compliance, material parameters, wellbore, and initial notch sizes. In particular, the comparisons presented here provide a clear evidence of the difference between the wellbore pressure at which a fracture initiates and the maximum pressure recorded during a test (also known as the breakdown pressure). The scaling analysis identifies the dimensionless numbers governing the strong fluid‐solid effects at the early stage of growth, which are responsible for the continuous increase of the wellbore pressure after the initiation of the fracture. Our analysis provides a simple way to quantify these early time effects for any given laboratory or field configuration. The good agreement between theoretical predictions and experiments also validates the current state of the art hydraulic fracture mechanics models, at least for the simple fracture geometry investigated here.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experiments versus theory for the initiation and propagation of radial hydraulic fractures in low‐permeability materials

et al. 2017

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“…In some cases, even in the absence of gas, fluid compressibility can drive fracture propagation [90], but this effect is small and has been ignored here.…”

Section: A1 Continuity Of Mass In the Fracturementioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of a deformable fracture in permeable material

Murdoch

Germanovich

2006

Int. J. Numer. Anal. Meth. Geomech.

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SUMMARYThe response of deformable fractures to changes in fluid pressure controls phenomena ranging from the flow of fluids near wells to the propagation of hydraulic fractures. We developed an analysis designed to simulate fluid flows in the vicinity of asperity-supported fractures at rest, or fully open fractures that might be propagating. Transitions between at-rest and propagating fractures can also be simulated. This is accomplished by defining contact aperture as the aperture when asperities on a closing fracture first make contact. Locations on a fracture where the aperture is less than the contact aperture are loaded by both fluid pressure and effective stress, whereas locations where the aperture exceeds the contact aperture are loaded only by fluid pressure. Fluid pressure and effective stress on the fracture are determined as functions of time by solving equations of continuity in the fracture and matrix, and by matching the global displacements of the fracture walls to the local deformation of asperities.The resulting analysis is implemented in a numerical code that can simulate well tests or hydraulic fracturing operations. Aperture changes during hydraulic well tests can be measured in the field, and the results predicted using this analysis are similar to field observations. The hydraulic fracturing process can be simulated from the inflation of a pre-existing crack, to the propagation of a fracture, and the closure of the fracture to rest on asperities or proppant. Two-dimensional, multi-phase fluid flow in the matrix is included to provide details that are obscured by simplifications of the leakoff process (Carter-type assumptions) used in many hydraulic fracture models. Execution times are relatively short, so it is practical to implement this code with parameter estimation algorithms to facilitate interpretation of field data.

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“…In this core sample, the bedding plane discontinuity (weaker planes in a hexagonal system) was detected and the elastic tensor was calculated. [ Wu et al, 2007].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…the mass of fluid in the fracture and tubing is a constant during the propagation of fracture. As a result, pump design is not a priority and a drill hole with metal casing is considered [Wu et al, 2007].…”

Section: Fracture Sizementioning

confidence: 99%

Hydraulic fracture studies of reservoirs with an emphasis on pore fracture geometry studies by developing fracture and Microseismic estimations

Krishna

Sreenivasan

Nair

2018

Annals of Geophysics

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Nondestructive measurements and evaluation has great significance in various domains of science, engineering and technology. The objective of this research is to investigate the anisotropic behavior in a sandstone sample from non-invasive tests using Laser Doppler Vibrometer coupled with Piezoelectric Transducer and to validate these results using a laboratory scale controlled hydraulic fracturing arrangement. High-resolution 3-component single-point seismograms were generated for the core sample using a combination of 1 MHz Piezoelectric Transducer as a source of elastic waves that travel within the reservoir rock sample and Laser Doppler Vibrometer as the receiver. Hilbert transforms of the 3-component data were calculated to obtain the complex signal. Shear wave splitting phenomenon due to anisotropy in rock was examined and the resultant S H and S V wave polarizations were measured. Elastic tensor for the core sample was subsequently determined from the velocity picks within the Hilbert energy envelope followed by the estimation of Thomsen's parameters. The hodogram analysis was performed to assess the process of shear wave splitting in the rock sample that detects the anisotropy of the medium and this, in turn, specifies the characteristics of weakness planes. Laboratory scale controlled hydraulic fracturing was performed to verify whether the fractures propagate along the anisotropic planes of weakness. Real-time fracture detection was carried out during this process and its propagation features were studied. The fractured core sample was imaged under the slice Computed Tomography scan machine to perceive the mode and propagation of fractures in the rock specimen.

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Thermal technique for controlling hydraulic fractures

Cited by 14 publications

References 51 publications

Experiments versus theory for the initiation and propagation of radial hydraulic fractures in low‐permeability materials

Experiments versus theory for the initiation and propagation of radial hydraulic fractures in low‐permeability materials

Analysis of a deformable fracture in permeable material

Hydraulic fracture studies of reservoirs with an emphasis on pore fracture geometry studies by developing fracture and Microseismic estimations

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