Stimulation 5

Stimulation
Fracture Propagation Models
The modeling of hydraulic fractures applies

three fundamental equations:
1. Continuity
2. Momentum (Fracture Fluid Flow)
3. LEFM (Linear Elastic Fracture Mechanics)
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Stimulation
Solution Technique
The three sets of equations need to be coupled to simulate the
propagation of the fracture.
The material balance and fluid flow are coupled using the relation
between the fracture width and fluid pressure.
The resulting deformation is modeled through LEFM.
Complex mathematical problem requires sophisticated numerical
schemes.
2D models provide tractable solutions but are limited by assumptions

3D and pseudo-3D are less restrictive but require computer analysis
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Stimulation
Perkins-Kern-Nordgren Model (PKN) without leakoff
The following assumptions simplify the complex problem:

1.
2.
3.
4.
The fracture height,hf, is fixed and independent

of fracture length.
The fracture fluid pressure is constant in the
vertical cross sections perpendicular to the
direction of propagation.
Reservoir rock stiffness, its resistance to
deformation prevails in the vertical plane; i.e,
2D plane-strain deformation in the vertical plane
Each plane obtains an elliptic shape with
maximum width in the center,
w ( x, t )
1 h f p h
G
Schematic representation of linearly

propagating fracture with laminar fluid
flow according to PKN model
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Stimulation
Perkins-Kern-Nordgren Model (PKN) without leakoff
5. The fluid pressure gradient in the x-direction can be

written in terms of a narrow, elliptical flow channel,
p h
x
64
q
3
w hf
6. The fluid pressure in the fracture falls off at the tip, such that
at x = L and thus p = h.
7. Flow rate is a function of the growth rate of the fracture width,
h f w
q
x
4 t
8. Combining provides a non-linear PDE in terms of w(x,t):

2 2
G
w
w
subject to the following conditions,
0
2
w(x,0) = 0 for t = 0
64(1 )h f
t
x
w(x,t) = 0 for x > L(t)
q(0,t) = qi/2 for two fracture wings
Copyright, 2011
Stimulation
Geertsma-de Klerk (GDK) Model without leakoff
Assumptions:
1. Fixed fracture height, hf.
2. Rock stiffness is taken into account in the horizontal plane only. 2D plane strain
deformation in the horizontal plane.
3. Thus fracture width does not depend on fracture
height and is constant in the vertical direction.
4. The fluid pressure gradient is with respect to a
narrow, rectangular slit of variable width,
12q x dx
i
p(0, t ) p( x, t )
hf 0 3
w ( x, t )
flow according to GDK model
Copyright, 2011
Stimulation
Geertsma-de Klerk (GDK) Model without leakoff
Assumptions:
5. The shape of the fracture in the horizontal plane is elliptic with maximum width at
the wellbore
2(1 )L(pf h )
w (0, t )
G

flow according to GDK model
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Stimulation
Comparison
Net pressure at wellbore, psi
1000
900
800
700
600
PKN
500
KGD
400
300
200
100
0
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
Fluid volume, gals
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Stimulation
Comparison
3000
fracture length, ft
2500
2000
1500
1000
PKN
KGD
500
0
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
Fluid volume, gals
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Stimulation
Comparison
maximum width at wellbore, in
0.400
0.350
0.300
0.250
0.200
0.150
PKN
0.100
KGD
0.050
0.000
0
2000
4000
6000
8000
Fluid volume, gals
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Stimulation
3D Fracture Propagation Models
Applications
Primarily for complex reservoir conditions
Multiple zones with varying elastic or leakoff properties
Closure stress profiles indicate complex geometries
Vertical fracture profile illustrating the changes

in width across the fracture
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Stimulation
Components
1.
3D stress distribution
2.
2D fluid flow in fracture
3.
4.
5.
2D proppant transport
Heat transfer
Leakoff
Assumptions
linear elastic behavior
propagation criterion given by
fracture toughness
laminar flow of newtonian or
non-newtonian fluid
Leakoff is 1D, to fracture face
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Stimulation
Formulation
Elliptic D.E. for elasticity
Convective-diffusive eq. for heat transfer
Parabolic D.E. for leakoff
Solution
Finite element method discretization of formation to solve for stresses
and displacements
Boundary integral method discretization of boundary
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Stimulation
Pseudo 3D models (P3D)

Crack height variations are approximatedependent on position and time
1D fracture fluid flow
Similar to PKN, i.e., vertical planes deform independently
2D
P3D
3D
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Stimulation
Comparison to validate
2D models
Example A: Strong stress
barriers, negligible
leakoff
More examples in
Chapter 5 of SPE
monograph Vol 12
3D simulator
Stimulation
Dynamic Fracture Propagation Design

PKN Model
Includes effects of non-newtonian fluids and net-to-gross height
1. Initial guess of maximum wellbore width, wwb = 0.10 in.
2. Calculate the average width,
2
w w wb
4
3. Calculate the effective viscosity,
80.842qi
e 47880K
2
h w
g
n 1
4. Calculate dimensionless time,
2
5
4 1 eqi h g
B 1.7737 x10

32C5h G h n
g
tD
t
B
2/3
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Stimulation

PKN Model
5. Calculate dimensionless width,
0.1645
w D 0.78t D
6. Calculate the maximum wellbore width,
2
2 161 eqi hg
e 5.0782 x10
C 2h G hn
g
w wb ew D
1/ 3
2

7. Test for convergence,

w
n
n 1
w
TOL
wb
wb
YES Continue
NO Go to step 2) with updated wwb.
Copyright, 2011
Stimulation

PKN Model
8. Calculate the fracture length,
5
2 1 eqi hg
a 7.4768 x10
256C 8h 4G hn
g
1/ 3
8

.6295
LD 0.5809t D
L aL D
1. Calculate the fracture volume,

V
wh L
g
12
10. Calculate the fracture pressure

1/ 4
3
0.02975 G qieL
Pf (0, t )
h,min
h g 1 3
11. Update pumping time and repeat the procedure, starting at step 1).
Copyright, 2011
Stimulation
GDK Model
1. Initialize the procedure by guessing wwb = 0.1 in.

2. Calculate the dimensionless fluid loss parameter and fracture length,
h
8C t n
hg
w
we 8V h n
sp h
12
g
0.11168 hg
L
q
2 i h
n
hg C
2
hn
wwe
8
V
12
sp h
g
L
L
1 e erfc ( L )
3. Average width,
w
w
4 wb
4. Calculate the effective viscosity,
80.842qi
e 47880K
2
h w
g
n 1
Copyright, 2011
Stimulation
GDK Model
5. Simplified expression for fracture width,

2 1 / 4
84(1 )eqi L
w wb 0.1295
Ghg
6. Test for convergence,

w
n
n 1
w
TOL
wb
wb
YES Continue
NO Go to step 2) with updated wwb.
7. Volume of one wing of the fracture,
V
8. Bottomhole fracture pressure,
hLw wb
48
Copyright, 2011
wb
wb
YES Continue
Stimulation
Propagation Models
NO Go to step 2) with updated wFracture
.
wb
7. Volume of one wing of the fracture,

V
hLw wb
GDK Model
48
8. Bottomhole fracture pressure,

3 1 / 4
3
0.03725 G qi ehg
Pf (0, t )
h,min
2
2hg
3
1 L
9.Update pumping time and repeat the procedure, starting at step 1).
Copyright, 2011
LD
Stimulation
Pf
Nomenclature
= dimensionless fracture length

= bottomhole fracture pressure, psi
Fracture
Propagation Models
qi
= flow rate into single wing of fracture, bpm
= pumping time, min.
tD
= dimensionless time
= length constant, ft.
= volume of single wing, ft3
= time constant, min.
Vsp
= spurt loss, ft3/ft2
= fluid loss coefficient, ft/(min)1/2
= volumetric average fracture width, in.
= width constant, in.
wD
= dimensionless fracture width
= shear modulus, psi
wwb
= fracture width at wellbore, in.
hg
= gross fracture height, ft.
wwe
= fracture width at wellbore at end of pumping, in.
hn
= net permeable sand thickness, ft.
= dimensionless fluid-loss parameter including spurt loss
= effective fracture fluid viscosity, cp
= consistency index, (lbf-sec )/ft
= fracture length, ft.
= horizontal, minimum stress, psi
LD
= dimensionless fracture length
= poissons ratio
Pf
= bottomhole fracture pressure, psi
qi
= flow rate into single wing of fracture, bpm
= pumping time, min.
tD
= dimensionless time
= volume of single wing, ft3
Vsp
= spurt loss, ft3/ft2
= volumetric average fracture width, in.
Copyright, 2011

Stimulation 5

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Stimulation

Fracture Propagation Models

The modeling of hydraulic fractures applies

Fracture Propagation Models

2D models provide tractable solutions but are limited by assumptions

Fracture Propagation Models

Perkins-Kern-Nordgren Model (PKN) without leakoff

The following assumptions simplify the complex problem:

The fracture height,hf, is fixed and independent

Schematic representation of linearly

Fracture Propagation Models

Perkins-Kern-Nordgren Model (PKN) without leakoff

5. The fluid pressure gradient in the x-direction can be

8. Combining provides a non-linear PDE in terms of w(x,t):

Fracture Propagation Models

Geertsma-de Klerk (GDK) Model without leakoff

Fracture Propagation Models

Geertsma-de Klerk (GDK) Model without leakoff

Schematic representation of linearly

Fracture Propagation Models

Fluid volume, gals

Fracture Propagation Models

Fluid volume, gals

Fracture Propagation Models

Fluid volume, gals

3D Fracture Propagation Models

Vertical fracture profile illustrating the changes

2D fluid flow in fracture

3D Fracture Propagation Models

Leakoff is 1D, to fracture face

3D Fracture Propagation Models

3D Fracture Propagation Models

Pseudo 3D models (P3D)

3D Fracture Propagation Models

Fracture Propagation Models

Dynamic Fracture Propagation Design

3. Calculate the effective viscosity,

4. Calculate dimensionless time,

Fracture Propagation Models

Dynamic Fracture Propagation Design

6. Calculate the maximum wellbore width,

7. Test for convergence,

Fracture Propagation Models

Dynamic Fracture Propagation Design

1. Calculate the fracture volume,

10. Calculate the fracture pressure

Fracture Propagation Models

Dynamic Fracture Propagation Design

1. Initialize the procedure by guessing wwb = 0.1 in.

4. Calculate the effective viscosity,

Fracture Propagation Models

Dynamic Fracture Propagation Design

5. Simplified expression for fracture width,

6. Test for convergence,

8. Bottomhole fracture pressure,

7. Volume of one wing of the fracture,

Dynamic Fracture Propagation Design

8. Bottomhole fracture pressure,

= dimensionless fracture length

= flow rate into single wing of fracture, bpm

= pumping time, min.

= length constant, ft.

= volume of single wing, ft3

= time constant, min.