Hydraulic Fracture Height Growth Containment by Artificial Barrier: Experimental Studies

Abstract

It is necessary to control hydraulic fracture height growth by creating artificial barrier for reservoir with thin payzone or weak overburdens and underburdens. In this paper, the influential factors on resistance role of artificial barrier were firstly identified and the parameters value range was determined. Then, an affixing intermediate container was combined into the core flow test device in order to ensure buoyant diverter well dispersed into carrying fluid in experiment test, and the particle size distribution of buoyant additives was tested by Malvern laser counter. The crack was made about 2/3 length in artificial core for simulating artificial barrier process by core flow test which were accomplished in base of recommendation practice of petroleum industry. Lastly, successive regression method was applied and a statistical relationship of the barrier strength with carrying fluid viscosity, floating additives concentration and core permeability. Then scouring experiments are made under modeling hydraulically fracturing treatment conditions. It was proven that the artificial barrier was steady at current treatment parameters and that could be effectively controlled hydraulic fracture height growth.