How a fracture geometry affects production:

The goal of determining a fracture dimensions is so that we can find the optimal width and
length of a fracture that would allow us to maximize the production, as thats the whole
purpose of the petroleum industry.
First we look at the Dimensionless productivity index,

Its formula is

755

, , , are usually given, and thus can be considered constant. We need to
concentrate on Cfd, sf, xf, and rw. We want to make those values small, since theyre in the
denominator, and that will make the whole equation bigger, which is what we want. For that
we are going to plot (

. On the graph we need to see at which point the

function reaches its minimum, and that will tell us the maximum for the Jd.
On the following graph you can see that Cfd is 1.6 when the abovementioned function is at its
minimum.

1.6
Now that we know the optimal fracture conductivity, Cfd, it tells us that fractures whose
conductivity is more or less than 1.6 will correspond to a different Productivity Index, which
means it will perform less. Knowing the Cfd is very important as it will allow us to determine the
width and length of a fracture. Those can be calculated with the following formulas:

Proppant Number:
For a given proppant volume, well drainage area, proppant and reservioir
permeabilities, there exists a proppant number, N
p

It is also important to know it as it helps us to identify Cfd value. On the next 2 pictures
there are graphs that represent Cfd vs Jd that correspond to a particular Proppant
Number.

The 1
st
graph is for Np values less than 0.1. As we can see from the graph, the
maximum of those function occurs when Cfd is 1.6. That again tells us the Maximum
Productivity index will be at Cfd=1.6.

The next graph is for Np>0.1. As Np gets bigger, due to increased propped volume or
lower reservoir permeability, Cfd also increases. It is governed by the formula

()
()





Example on how to calculate optimal dimentions and maximum productivity index.









Solution:










Given Data:
k = 15 md
B
o
= 1.1 rsb/stb
= 1 cp
Mass of proppant (Mp) = 150,000 lb
Proppant specific gravity = 2.65
(Porosity) = 0.38
K
f
= 60000md
h(reservoir) = 50ft
h(fracture) = 100ft
Area = 4*10
6
sq.ft.
J
D
of unfractured well=0.12
Find optimal dimensions,
pseudosteady-state productivity
index and folds of increase from
fracturing.

()

99 ()

99 (9)

1
st
we find the propped volume in the pay (Vf) and reservoir volume (Vr)
V
f

()
64()

50
100
5
6564(38)
7
3

Vr A*h *^**^ ft


Proppant number:

673
5
8
9

is smaller than 0.1, therefore the maximum fracture conductivity is 1.6(

), and the
formula to calculate the maximum dimensionless pss Productivity index is:
Then we find optimal fracture half-length and width:

7


Finally, to calculate maximum pss PI:


4

55
4
7 STB/d/psi

Initial

was 0.12. To find folds of increase:

36

.

That means that productivity increased 3 times.