Journal of Petroleum Technology 

About: Journal of Petroleum Technology is an academic journal published by Society of Petroleum Engineers. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Engineering & Computer science. It has an ISSN identifier of 0149-2136. Over the lifetime, 6951 publications have been published receiving 120413 citations. The journal is also known as: Petroleum technology & JPT.

A Rapid Method of Predicting Width and Extent of Hydraulically Induced Fractures

Abstract: During the hydraulic-fracturing treatment of an oil or gas well, the liquid pressure in the borehole is increased until tensile stress in the surrounding rock exceeds tensile strength. Once a tensile fracture is initiated, it is penetrated by liquid from the borehole and fracture propagation under continuous hydraulic action takes place. The fracturing liquid carries a propping agent to insure a highly permeable flow channel after pressure release. This discussion attempts to predict fracture width and areal extent before pressure release. The following divisions of the subject are presented: (1) mathematical formulation of the fracture-extension process; (2) equations for fracture width and shape; (3) effect of formation permeability on fracture dimensions; and (4) fracture design charts. With the design charts presented, and nothing more elaborate than a slide rule, it is possible to predict the dimensions of either a linearly or a radially propagating, hydraulically induced fracture around a well bore. (12 refs.)