Fluid Flow Considerations in Hydraulic Fracturing

Abstract

ABSTRACT Significant progress has been made over the past decade in the understanding and modeling of rock failure and deformation during hydraulic fracturing. This progress resulted from a large investment in theoretical, laboratory, and field research programs conducted by private, government and university groups. By comparison, relatively small investments or progress has been made in the companion area of fluid flow in the fracture. To bring the level of understanding for fluid flow to that of rock mechanics, and provide the basis for another major advance in fracturing technology, significant and focused investigations of fluid flow are required. The purpose of this paper is to review the various aspects of fluid flow within the fracture, provide several relevant pieces of new information, and to identify areas for additional research. The areas considered are the effects of slip flow; proppant on viscosity; width variations on the velocity profile and the pressure gradient; proppant transport and fall after shut-in; particle migration for viscoelastic fluids; and fluid loss.