University of Kasdi Merbah Ouargla

Faculty of Hydrocarbons, Renewable Energies, Earth and Universe Sciences

Department of Drilling & Petroleum Fields Mechanics

STIMULATION AND WELL

SERVICES OPERATIONS
1st year Master’s degree students in Drilling

Prepared by: Dr. Ali Seyfeddine GUENAOUI

2022-2023
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HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
CALCULATIONS
Chapter IV

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Fracture Gradient
Min Horizontal Stress (σHmin) = Closure Pressure (PC) = FG x TVD

PC
Overburden Stress BHP Pnet w

BHP = PC + Pnet
Min Horizontal Stress (σHmin)
Pnet = Net pressure
PC = Closure pressure
w = Width
3 Max Horizontal Stress (σHmax)
 Definition of Pressures Pwh

BHP BHP

at the well in formation

Pwh + Phyd - PF > FG  TVD

Phyd
Pwh = Surface treating pressure (psi)
Phyd = Hydrostatic pressure (psi)
PF = Total friction pressure (psi) PF
FG = Fracture gradient (psi/ft)
TVD = True Vertical Depth (TVD) (ft)

BHP > FG  TVD

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 Hydrostatic Pressure

It is the pressure which is exerted/applied on a

SG
portion of a column of fluid as a result of the
weight of the fluid above it TVD

Phyd = 0.052 x TVD x Fluid Density

Phyd = 0.052 x TVD x 8.34 x Fluid SG

TVD = True vertical depth at mid perf (ft)

Fluid density = lb/gal
PH

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Total Friction Pressure (PF = Ptf + Ppf + Pnwb)
 Ptf (psi) = Tubular friction pressure
– Fluid friction (assumption: constant fluid property)
– Calculated at mid perforation

 Ppf (psi) = Perforation friction pressure

– Dependent on perf diameter, number of perf holes, pumping rate,
friction coefficient and fluid density

 Pnwb (psi) = Near wellbore pressure

– Tortuosity & phasing misalignment
– It’s a turning path that fluid must take after passing perforation
to reach the main fracture body
– This can be estimated after pumping
6 – For job preparation, we can assume this pressure loss
 Tubular Friction Pressure (from Database)
 Generated based on fluid friction at different rate 2% KCl – Guar crosslinked gel with
through horizontal pipe without any completion borate at 40 lb/1000 gal Friction Graph
profile complexity
– Deviation (surface or subsurface)
– Top of liner profile
– Tree saver profile
– Fluid dynamic entrance in frac head for multiple
treating lines, etc
– Any flow restriction (downhole choke, seats, nipples,
sleeves, etc.)
 The actual TOTAL tubular friction pressure value
can be calculated when BHP gauge presence, during
the job
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Perforation Friction Pressure (Correlation)
Ppf =
0.2369 * Q2 *ρ
D4* C2* N2

Ppf = Perforation Friction (psi)

Q = Flow rate (bpm)
ρ = Fluid density (lb/gal)
D = Diameter of perfs (inches)
N = Number of perfs taking fluid (assumed or estimated from SDT)
C = Discharge Coefficient 0.6

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Horse Power

HHP = Q (bpm) x P (psi)

40.8

Q = Rate (bpm)
P = Pumping pressure (psi)

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Job Preparation Workflow - Summary
 Hydrostatic pressure is calculated = 0.052 x fluid density x mid-perf TVD
 Tubular friction is calculated based on fluid friction database
 Perforation friction is calculated based on formulation with assumption of
50% holes are open
 Near wellbore pressure is assumed to be zero or based on previous job
history
 Bottomhole pressure is estimated = Pnet + PC
 Pnet is estimated based on stress contrast or from previous job history
 Closure pressure is estimated based on stress log or from previous job
history
 Pwh is calculated based on correlation and/or assumption above
 Total HHP is calculated based on calculated Pwh above
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ISIP – Instantaneous Shut In Pressure

Pwh & Rate

Total
Friction = Tubing Pf + Perforation Pf
pressure

Instantaneous Open
shut-in pressure valves

Breakdown
pressure

TIME
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ISIP with Water Hammer Effect
1) Determination of ISIP (Instantaneous Shut In Pressure)
The pressure drop line is extrapolated to the vertical of the time
when pumps where shut down.
ISIP is taken at the intersection of the two lines

ISIP

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ISIP, Pnet and Pc
Pnet = BHP - PC
Net Pressure

Pwh & Rate

&
BHP at shut it = ISIP + Phyd
Closure
pressure

ISIP Open
valves
Pnet (at shut in) = ISIP + Phyd - PCPc

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TIME
Net Pressure & Fracture Width
Pnet = BHP - PC
Pnet= Net pressure
BHP = Bottom Hole Pressure at
the wellbore PC
PC = Closure pressure
Pw Pnet w

w = Cf Pnet
w = Width
Cf = Fracture compliance

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Net Pressure & Fracturing Treating Pressure
Pwh + Phyd - PF > FG  D (or PC)
Pwh + Phyd - PF = FG  D (or PC) + Pnet
BHP BHP
Pwh = BHP - Phyd + PF
Pwh = Pc + Pnet - Phyd + Ptf + Ppf
Pnet = Pwh + Phyd - Ptf - Ppf - Pc
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Required to initiate the fracture
keeps the fracture open
Pwh = Wellhead treating pressure (psi)
Pc = Closure pressure (psi)
Ph = Hydrostatic pressure (psi)
PF = Total friction pressure (psi)
Ptf = Tubular friction pressure (psi)
Ppf = Perforation friction pressure (psi)
D = True Vertical Depth (ft)
 After Injection – no BHP Gauge

BHP Calculated ISIPBHP

Measured PC

Pressure
Surface Pressure
PF = Ptf + Ppf + Pnwb

ISIP

Time
 Ptf = calculated based on estimated fluid friction data
 Ppf = calculated using formulation with assumption 100% holes taking fluid
 Pnwb = calculated from the difference between PF and (Pft + Ppf)
 Validate FG = Measured Pc / TVD midperf
 Validate Pnet = (ISIP + Phyd) – Measured PC
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 After Injection – with BHP Gauge
Ppf + Pnwb
BHP Gauge
ISIPBHP

Measured PC

Pressure
Surface Pressure
PF = Ptf + Ppf + Pnwb

ISIP

Time
 Ppf = calculated using formulation with assumption 100% holes taking fluid
 Pnwb = (BHP gauge drop @shut-in) – (Ppf )
 Validate Ptf = PF – (BHP gauge drop @shut-in)
 Validate FG = Measured Pc / TVD midperf
 Validate Pnet = (ISIP + Phyd) – Measured PC
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THE END

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