Advanced Rock Properties

<< Back to Page

Hydraulic Fracture Design

Optimization of Hydraulic Fracture Design Using Geomechanics Tests

Hydraulic Fracturing Plays an Important Role in Productivity Improvement

Calculation of fracture height, width, and length are required for the optimization of the
fracture design. Among data requirements to optimize hydraulic fracture design,
mechanical properties (Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, fracture toughness and
poroelastic constant), fracture gradient, and distribution of minimum horizontal stress
are important factors that control or influence fracture geometry.
Common Fracture Design Problems

Unconfined fracture height growth causing screen-outs and inefficient proppant

placement

Proppant embedment reducing fracture width and lowering fracture conductivity

Excessive closure stress resulting in early production decline

Unknown fracture azimuth leading to poor well placement

Data for Optimized Fracture Design

The data required for optimized fracture designs are the usual reservoir parameters of
porosity and permeability, along with a variety of rock mechanics parameters at

multiple vertical locations in the pay zone and in the subjacent and superjacent barriers
(both) which must arrest the vertical fracture growth. The rock mechanics data include:

Static and dynamic values of Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio

Static values of fracture toughness and Biot's poroelastic constant

Calculated values for minimum horizontal stress versus depth

Triaxial Compressive Test

To characterize mechanical properties of the reservoir rocks, triaxial compressive tests
are performed at a range of confining pressures. The triaxial compressive tests are
commonly used to simulate in-situ stress conditions of the reservoirs and provide
compressive strength and static values of elastic constants (e.g., Young's modulus and
Poisson's ratio). Since there is a significant difference between static and dynamic
values, it is important to calibrate dynamically derived mechanical properties to the
statically measured values that better represent the in-situ reservoir rocks.

Fracture Toughness
Strength of brittle materials is governed by the presence of small cracks present within
grains and at grain boundaries. A fracture will propagate when the stress intensity factor
(e.g., KI for opening mode crack) reaches the critical stress intensity factor, KIC, also
known as fracture toughness. Therefore, the fracture toughness is a measure of the

resistance of the rock to crack propagation. Some fracture design programs require
fracture toughness to predict fracture height.

Proppant Embedment Test

Proppant embedment is an important problem today because of fracturing stimulation
treatments performed in softer formations. Unlike well consolidated rocks, embedment
can be as high as several proppant-grain diameters in softer formations. Proppant
embedment can reduce fracture width from 10% to 60% with subsequent reduction of
productivity from oil and gas wells. Proppant selection can help reduce embedment and
enhance recovery.

Brinell Hardness Test

The fracture hardness value is an important factor due to industry trends to fracture
softer, weakly consolidated and higher porosity formations. The Brinell Hardness is a
measure of the resistance of the rock to indentation and has a direct implication for
proppant embedment problems.
Fracture Azimuth
Knowledge of fracture azimuth is important in placement of horizontal wells and
determining the well locations in tight formations for drainage optimization and
drive/sweep efficiency of water flooding or EOR. The primary purpose of the
measurement of sonic velocity anisotropy is to determine the direction of maximum
horizontal stress and hence the optimum fracture azimuth. Fracture azimuth can be
determined with a field proven method (over 50 wells) that is both cost effective and
reliable