Frac Growth Analysis

Manuel Bramao
PE-STM-082
 Learning Objectives

 Fracture orientation
 Fractures in horizontal wells
 Definition of Net Pressure
 Interpretation of net pressures
 Field data
 Fracture toughness

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Fracture Orientation

 Determined by the minimum principal stress orientation

 Not necessarily a vertical plane
– Principal stress direction may be inclined from vertical
– Horizontal fractures possible for fracture gradients near to or higher than
0.23 bar/m
 May differ locally due to geologic changes
 May change due to reservoir depletion

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Fractures Grow Along Normal Faults

Preferred
Fracture
Plane
Well

Fault
Propped
Fracture

σv

σh,min
Extension
σh,max
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Fractures Grow Perpendicular to Reverse Faults

Preferred
Well fracture
plane

Propped
fracture
Reverse
fault

σv

σh,max
Compression
σh,min
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Fractures Grow Towards a Mountain Range

Preferred
Fracture
Well Plane

Propped
Fracture

High
Compressive
Stress

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Preferred Fracture Plane Usually Not Aligned With Wellbore

σ min

σ max
15°

Multiple Fractures
Can Occur With
Long Perf Intervals

Screenout!

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Fractures In Horizontal Wells

Surface

Wellbore azimuth 0° Wellbore azimuth 90°

Longitudinal fracture Reservoir Transverse fractures

Vertical Stress

Minimum horizontal stress

Maximum horizontal stress

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Hydraulic Frac Orientation Usually Controlled by Regional Stress Field

 Regional stress orientation usually consistent over large areas

in tectonically relaxed areas
 Tectonically/geologically complex areas may have highly
variable stress orientation
 Production/pressure depletion will alter local stress orientation
with time

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Infill Wells Drilled in Future May Have Different Fracture Orientation

Original Wells
Drainage Area

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 Definition Of Net Pressure

• Net pressure is the magnitude of pressure inside the fracture and is

directly related to the geometry of the fracture

Pnet = Pfrac - σmin

where:
Pnet = Net pressure, psi
Pfrac = Pressure inside fracture, psi
σmin = Minimum in-situ stress, psi

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 Schematic Of Net Pressure

Net pressure is the pressure inside the fracture

Minus the minimum in-situ stress (σmin)
Net pressure = 2,500 - 2,000 = 500 psi

Minimum in-situ
stress (σmin)
(2000 psi)

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Pressure inside fracture (Pfrac)
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(2500)
Accurate Stress Data Are Required to Determine Net Pressure

2,500
1

2,000 Correct net pressure

Closure pressure measured
Corrected for tortuosity
Net pressure, psi

1,500

1,000
2
500 Incorrect net pressure
Closure pressure assumed
Not corrected for tortuosity
.

0
10 20 30 40 50
Time, minutes
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Pressure Profile in a Propagating Fracture

Fluid Filled Fracture Tip

Pressure Fracture Body

Net Pressure

σmin

pp
Direction of
14
0
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Fracture Growth
Net Pressure Theory

 Nolte-Smith published theory on how to interpret net pressures

measured during injection
 Must determine σmin and pnet, exclusive of Δpperf;
pnet = pfrac - σmin

 A graph of log (pnet) vs log (Δt) will produce shapes that can be
interpreted from Perkins - Kern
pnet ∝ Δte
1/8 < e < 1/5
 Slope, e ≅1/5 for small leakoff
15

≅1/8 for high leakoff
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 Fracture Geometry Changes With Net Pressure

 Two modeling solutions for the same treatment; if 500 psi stress
contrast exists around payzone

Predicted Net Predicted Frac

Pressure Dimensions
Upper zone

Pnet = 100 psi Net pay

L = 1200 feet
Lower zone

Upper zone

Pnet = 800 psi Net pay R = 240 feet

Lower zone
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PKN Pressure Response

Thus:
PWB ↑ As L ↑

PWB ↓ As H ↑

Assumes
σmin = Constant

Q = Constant



µ
= Constant
Ql = Constant
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Δpperf = Constant
Interpretation of Fracturing Pressures

 Mode I - Confined Height, Unrestricted Growth

 Mode II - Stable Height Growth Or Increased Fluid Loss
 Mode III - Growth Restriction
 Mode IV - Rapid Height Growth

III
log (pn )

p' = Critical Net

n
Pressure II
IV
I

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Field Data Measured By Amoco

Screenout
II 111
4000 I Case 1
III
2000 * Case 2
I
pn, psi

Case
1000 * 3
I * II
IV

* Start Proppant
20 40 60 100 200 400
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Nolte-Smith Assumes 2D Fracture

2-Dimensional Theory

Actual
Fracture

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Tip Effects

 Tip effects increase the pressure at the fracture tip beyond what
is predicted with linear elastic fracture mechanics
 Measurements in the lab and the field have verified the
existence of the tip effect pressure increases in some cases
 Several mechanisms have been proposed to account for tip
effects
– Dilatancy/fluid lag
– High apparent fracture toughness
– Continuum damage mechanics

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 Shear Rate vs Shear Stress

Source:
Wikipedia
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Fracture Toughness

Wellbore Initial Fracture

Given : Fracture toughness of tough rock 1000 psi/in1/2

Initial fracture radius 1 In.

Assume : Uniform net pressure p in fracture

(Wellbore stress concentration is neglected)

Calculate : What is the required net pressure p in

The fracture to propagate the fracture ?

= Klc = 1000 =
p 565 psi
πa π

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Typical Values of Fracture Toughness

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Summary
 The Nolte-Smith net pressure analyses can be used to determine how
a fracture is growing
 The net pressure must be computed properly
 Near well bore pressure drop must be properly accounted for in the
analyses

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Any Questions?

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