Transient Pressure Analysis
for Fractured Wells
Heber Cinco-Ley, * SPE, Stanford U.
Fernando Samaniego-V., * SPE, Inst. Mexicano del Petr61eo
Summary
A new technique is presented for analyzing pressure
transient data for wells intercepted by a finite-
conductivity vertical fracture. This method is based
on the bilinear flow theory, which considers transient
linear flow in both fracture and formation. It is
demonstrated that a graph of Pwf vs. tv. produces a
straight line whose slope is inversely proportional to
hf(kfbf } Yz. New type curves are presented that
overcome the uniqueness problem exhibited by other
type curves.
Introduction
A large amount of information concerning well test
analysis has appeared in the literature over the last
three decades. As a result of developments in this
area, three monographs 1,2,3 and one book 4 have
been published covering different aspects of pressure
transient analysis. Ramey 5 also has presented a
review on the state of the art.
The analysis of pressure data for fractured wells
has deserved special attention because of the number
of wells that have been stimulated by hydraulic
fracturing techniques. A summary of the work done
on flow toward fractured wells' was presented by
Raghavan 6 in 1977.
It was recognized early that intercepting fractures
can strongly affect the transient flow behavior of a
we1l 7-9 and that, consequently, the application of
classical methods 10-12 to the analysis of transient
pressure data in this situation may produce erroneous
results. Several methods 13-24 were proposed to solve
this problem.
These analysis techniques consider a well in-
tersected by either an infinite-conductivity vertical
fracture or a uniform-flux vertical fracture. Cinco-
Ley et al. 25 demonstrated that the assumption of
infinite fracture conductivity is valid whenever
*Now with Petr61eos Mexicanos and U. Nacional de Mexico.
0149-2136/81/0009-7490$00.25
Copyright 1981 Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME
SEPTEMBER 1981
the dimensionless fracture conductivity
(kfbflkxf ) ~300; all other cases; such as those
represented by long or poorly conductive fractures,
must be analyzed by considering a finite-conductivity
fracture model.
Exploitation of low-permeability gas reservoirs has
required stimulation of wells by massive hydraulic
fracturing (MHF) techniques. Vertical fractures of
large horizontal extension are created as a result of
this operation; consequently, pressure drop along the
fracture cannot be ne~lected.
Several papers 25 -3 have been published on the
behavior of finite-conductivity vertical fractures.
Type-curve matching has been proposed as an
analysis method under these conditions; however,
some regions of the curves present a uniqueness
problem in the analysis. Barker and Ramey 31 in-
dicated that the use of published type curves becomes
practical when a large span of pressure data is
available.
The purpose of this work is to present a new in-
terpretation technique for early-time pressure data
for a well intercepted by a finite-conductivity vertical
fracture, including the criteria to determine the end
of wellbore storage effects. In addition, new type
curves are discussed to overcome the uniqueness
problem exhibited by previous curves at intermediate
and large time values.
Transient Pressure Behavior
for Fractured Wells
Consider a vertically fractured well producing at a
constant flow rate, q, in an infinite, isotropic,
homogeneous, horizontal reservoir that contains a
slightly compressible fluid of constant com-
pressibility C, and viscosity p.. The porous medium
has a permeability k, porosity 1>, thickness h, and
initial pressure Pi'
Let us assume that the well is intercepted by an
undeformable, fully penetrating vertical fracture of
1749
 TABLE 1 - SI PREFERRED UNITS, CUSTOMARY UNITS, half-length xf' width bf , permeability kf , porosity
AND UNIT CONVERSION CONSTANTS rPf' and total compressibility Cft (Fig. 1). The
USED IN THESE SYSTEMS
properties of both the reservoir and the fracture are
Parameter independent of pressure and the flow in the entire
or Variable Sl Preferred Units Customary Units system obeys Darcy's law. In addition, it is con-
k p'm
2 md venient to assume that pressure gradients are small,
h m ft gravity effects are negligible, and flow entering the
qo m3 /d STBID wellbore comes only through the fracture.
qg m 3 /d Mscf/D
p. Pa·s cp With these assumptions, the unsteady-state flow in
B m3 /m 3 RB/STB the system can be described by the diffusivity
cP fraction fraction equation. 1 For details on the boundary conditions
Pa- 1 psi- 1
Ct and a semianalytical solution for this flow problem,
p kPa psi
m(p) kPa 2 /Pa·s psi 2 /cp see Ref. 25.
t hours hours The general solution for the wellbore flowing
1,842 141.2 pressure P wf for oil is given by25
1,293 1,424
3.6x 10- 9 2.637 x 10- 4
34.97 44.1 kh(Pi-Pwf)
24.57 444.75 -~-B~- =PWD(tDxf,'Y/fD,CfDf) (1)
0.3918 8.128 aoq p,
0.275 81.97 and, for gas,
K oR
m3 /Pa cu ft/psi

WELLBORE
where
{3kt
tDxf = rPp,ctx}' (3)

'Y/fD=~' (4)
krPjCft
FRACTURE and
IMPERMEABLE
BOUNDARIES h CfDf= ~r;~ (5)

P wD represents the dimensionless pressure drop; it is

a function of dimensionless time, t Dx ' dimen-
sionless fracture hydraulic diffusivity, 'Y/Jb' and di-
mensionless fracture storage capacity, CfDJ . ao' a g ,
and {3 are unit conversion constants (see Table 1).
Cinco-Ley et al. 25 showed that for practical values
of dimensionless time the pressure behavior depends
on two parameters only: the dimensionless time t Dx,r'
Fig. 1 - Finite-conductivity vertical fracture in an infinite- and the dimensionless fracture conductivity
slab reservoir.
(kfbf) D' The former was defined in Eq. 3 and the
latter may be obtained from Eqs. 4 and 5. By
definition, the dimensionless fracture conductivity is
kb
D
"', I<
E
(kfbf ) D = ~k , (6)
xf
, CASE B
t'wD and it appears to be related to CfDf and 'Y/fD as
follows.
A (kfbf)D=7rCfDf'Y/fD' (7)
F
Fig. 2 shows the general behavior of a well with a
finite-conductivity vertical fracture. There, we show
tDXf
a log-log graph of dimensionless wellbore pressure,
PwD' vs. dimensionless time, t Dx [" For the sake of
Fig. 2 - Low·log graph of typical cases for fractured wells. simplicity only two cases are presented. Case 1
represents the behavior of a low-conductivity
1750 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY
~L--=~C5well )\
Fracture

(0) (b)
FRACTURE LINEAR FLOW B I LIN EAR FLO W

\ /
Fracture
-----_/ Fracture
, .
I
Well

(c ) \ ""
FORMATION LINEAR FL()\~
PSEUDO-RADIAL FLOW
Fig. 3 - Flow periods for a vertically fractured well.

fracture (kfbf ) D =0.1; Case 2 considers a highly Fracture Linear Flow Period
conductive fracture, (kfbf ) D = 500. These cases This behavior occurs at very small values of dimen-
were selected because they exhibit all the features of sionless time, and it is exhibited by all cases. During
the transient pressure behavior for a fractured well. this flow period, most of the fluid entering the well-
An analysis of Fig. 2 shows that the transient bore comes from the expansion of the system within
behavior of a well with a finite-conductivity vertical the fracture and the flow is essentially linear, as
fracture includes several flow periods. Initially, there shown in Fig. 3a.
is a/racture linear flow characterized by a half-slope The dimensionless pressure response at the
straight iine; after a transition flow period, the wellbore is given by·
system mayor may not exhibit a bilinear flow period,
indicated by a one-fourth-slope straight line. As time P WD - 2 ..j 7'('YIfDtn (8)
increases, a formation linear flow period might (kfb ) D
- ., 'Xf
f
develop. Eventually, in all cases, the system reaches a Hence, for oil,
pseudoradial flow period (see Fig. 3).
Points A, F, and L in Fig. 2 represent the end of
the fracture linear flow period (half-slope straight
-
Pwf-Pi
_ °ffo qB p,t
bfh . kf¢fCft'
J (9)
line). The bilinear flow period (one-quarter-slope and for gas,
straight line) is defined by Segments B-C and G-H;
this behavior is not present when the fracture has a _ 0ffg qT I t
m(pwf) -m(Pi) - b h "-l k ¢ , ..... (10)
high storage capacity and a high conductivity (lower f f fP,c t
curve in Case 2). where offo and Offg are unit conversion constants.
The formation linear flow period is shown by the These equations indicate that a log-log graph of
half-slope straight line between Points I and J, and it pressure vs. time yields a straight line whose slope is
is only exhibited by fractures of high conductivity, equal to one half. A graph of pressure or pseudo-
(kfbf)D~300. Points D and K show the beginning pressure vs. the square root of time also gives a
of the pseudoradial flow period. straight line whose slope depends on the fracture
We present a detailed description of both the characteristics excluding the fracture half-length xf'
fractured linear flow and the bilinear flow. The The fracture linear flow ends when
formation linear flow and the pseudoradial flow have
been discussed in the literature. 14,15,17,19,22,25 ·See Appendix A for derivation.

SEPTEMBER 1981 1751

 2 a.ZIT
PwD - - - - End of Straight -4
Line 10

Fig. 4 - PwD vs. tb~l for a well with a finite-conductivity Fig. 5 - Dimensionless time for the end of the bilinear flow
vertical fracture. period vs. dimensionless fracture conductivity.

_ 0.01 (kfbf ) b lower curve corresponding to a high value of CfDf

tDxf - 2 . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . (11) does not exhibit the bilinear flow behavior because
'YIfD fracture tip effects are felt before this flow regime is
Unfortunately, this flow period occurs at a time too established (Segment L-I).
early to be of practical use. The dimensionless wellbore pressure for the
bilinear flow period is given by*
Bilinear Flow Period
7r \1.1
To the best of our knowledge, this is a new type of PwD = t DXf' (12)
flow behavior that has not been considered in the r(1.25).J2(kf bf } D
literature. It is called bilinear flow because two linear or
flows occur simultaneously. One flow is a linear 2.45 II<
incompressible flow withinthefracture and the other PwD = .J (kfb ) D t DXj" (13)
is a linear compressible flow in the formation, as f
shown in Fig. 3b. A bilinear flow exists, as shown in This equation indicates that a graph of PwD vs.
Appendix A, whenever most of the fluid entering the {j tDx produces a straight line whose slope is
wellbore comes from the formation and fracture tip 2.451"'; (kfbf ) D' intercepting the origin. Fig. 4
effects have not yet affected the well behavior. presents that type of graph for different values of
Let us now examine this behavior in a log-log (kfbf}D' .
graph of PwD vs. t Dx (Fig. 2). In Case 1 An important feature of this graph is that after the
[ (kJb f) D = 0.1], the bili6ear flow exists between bilinear flow period (straight-line portion), the curves
Pomts Band C after a transition flow period for (kfbf ) D :51.6 are concave downward and the
represented by Segment A-B. The pressure behavior curves for (kfbf ) D > 1.6 are concave upward.
for the bilinear flow exhibits a straight line whose The end 0 the straight-line portion ofthe curves
slope is equal to one fourth. The duration of this depends on the fracture conductivity and may be
period depends on both (kfbf ) D and CfPf. Case 2 expressed by
[(kfbf ) D = 500] mayor may not exhibit the bilinear 0.1
flow period, as shown by the upper and lower curves.
The upper curve for Case 2 corresponds to a low
value for CfDf and does exhibit bilinear flow over a
short perioo of time (Segment G-H); however, the ·See Appendix A for derivation.

1752 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

0.
<J

Q
<l
Ol
o
-1

Slope = 1/4

o
Log t

Fig. 6 - Graph for analysis of pressure data of bilinear Fig. 7 - Log-log graph of pressure data for bilinear flow.
flow.

. [ ] -1.53 and, for gas,

tDebf=O.0205 (kf bf }D-1.5

for1.6$(kfbf }D$3, (l4b)

and
where t:.p is the pressure (pseudopressure) change for
t """" [ 4.55 _ 2.5] -4
a given test. Both 0bfo and 0bjg are unit conversion
Debf- .J (kfbf )D constants and are given in Table 1.
Eqs. 15 and 16 indicate that the pressure change is
both inversely proportional to the square root of the
for (kiJf) D $1.6 (l4c) fracture conductivity and directly proportional to the
fourth root of time.
Fig. 5 shows a graphical representation of these According to Eqs. 15 and 16, a graph of t:.p vs. Vi
equations. produces a straight line passing through the origin,
whose slope, mbf' for oil, is given by
Bilinear Fiow Analysis m - °bfoqBp,
Bilinear flow is exhibited by finite-conductivity ............ (17)
bf- h(kfb } Y2«(j>p,Ct k } v. '
fractures with a small dimensionless storage capacity; f
and, for gas,
CfDf . Any attempt to analyze pressure data observed
over this flow period using conventional methods (p
vs. ([or p vs. log t) will produce erroneous results. m
- °bfg qT
bf- h(kfb } '12 «(j>p,ctk) v.' (18)
We present the appropriate analysis method based on f
the bilinear flow theory. Hence, the product h(kfbf } '12 can be estimated by
using the following equations. For oil,
Basic Equations and Graphs
From Eq. 13, the pressure drop for oil may be ex- h (k b ) Y2
f f
= mbf«(j>p,Ct
°bfoqBp,
} v.' .
(19)
pressed as k
and, for gas,

SEPTEMBER 1981 1753

liP
o
Fig. 8 - Bilinear·flow graph for a fracture with a flow
restriction near the well bore.
These equations indicate that values of reservoir
properties must be available to estimate the group
h (kfbf ) Y2 • Note that this analysis technique tends to
decrease the effect of the error introduced when poor
information on reservoir properties (Le., k, cP, and
et)is used.
All comments on the concavity of the curve in Fig.
4 are valid for the curve in Fig. 6.
From Eqs. 13 and 14, if (kfbf ) D ??3, the
dimensionless pressure drop at the end of the bilinear
flow period is given by
1.38
(PwD}ebf=- (kfbf}D ................. (21)
Hence, the dimensionless fracture conductivity can
be estimated using the following equation.
1.38
(kfb f ) D = - ' (22)
(PwD}ebf
(p wD ) ebf can be calculated using Eq. 1 or Eq. 2 and
(1¥J) ebf or &n (p) ebf obtained from the bilinear
flow graph.
From Eqs. 15 and 16, a graph of log 1¥J vs. log t
yields a quarter-slope straight line (Fig. 7) that can be
.used as a diagnostic tool for bilinear flow detection.
Extensions and Limitations
The region disturbed during bilinear flow includes
only the fracture and its vicinities because it occurs at
early time, even in partially penetrating fracture
systems. Thus, the equations and graphs discussed in
the previous section for bilinear flow can be extended
to cases where the fracture does not penetrate the
1754
liP
\\'-~
,#\<1' \.-
s"\
~\.-O'\
\{c'r'" ~
",\\.-\ ~
fvC,"\ ~
I"''''/'''''/.~
",..
",.. " PRESSURE BEHAVIOR WITH WELLBORE
,. ,," ?---- STORAGE EFFECTS
«
4
Fig. 9 - Wellbore storage effect on the bilinear flow graph.
entire thickness of the formation. This is possible
simply by using the fracture height, hf' instead ofthe
formation thickness, h.
In cases where a flow restriction (low conductivity,
turbulent flow) exists within the fracture in the
vicinity of the wellbore, bilinear flow still occurs and
the pressure data analysis discussed cim be applied
(see Fig. 8). An extra pressure drop, 1¥Js ' is created in
this case and the straight-line portion does not in-
tercept the origin. These situations distort the
straight-line portion in the log-log graph.
If wellbore storage affects the system, the bilinear
flow pressure behavior may be masked, as shown in
Fig. 9, and data analysis becomes difficult (if not
impossible) with current interpretation methods.
Flow Regime Identification
and New Type Curves
The pressure behavior of a fractured well may exhibit
several flow periods for practical values of time:
bilinear flow, formation linear flow, and
pseudoradial flow.
Pressure data for each flow period should be
analyzed using a specific interpretation method (Le.,
P w vs. Vi, P w vs. Vi, and P w vs. log t for bilinear,
linear, and pseudoradial flows, respectively).
The log-log graph has been used commonly as a
diagnostic tool to detect different flow regimes in a
transient pressure test. The use of type curves in the
analysis of pressure data for fractured wells
represents a major step in that area. The first type
curves for fractured wells were rresented by
Gringarten et. al. 19 Cinco-Ley et al. 2 showed that
the infinite-conductivity vertical fracture solution of
Gringarten and Ramey!7 behaves like the solution
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY
for a finite-conductivity vertical fracture of
(kfbf ) D ~ 300; furthermore, they showed that the
umform-flux vertical fracture behaves as a variable-
conductivity vertical fracture. The type-curve
analysis offers an advantage over the specific analysis
methods already mentioned because it can be applied
to interpret at once pressure test data that correspond slope=-}
to different flow periods. In addition, the type-curve
analysis could indicate when the different graphical
techniques apply.
Experience has shown that, in some cases, ap- '~o-"'--;;--'--'--'-ci0;-2----'----'-'00;-0~-'0'-::2---'---"04o---'---'-':06:--~-"08
plication of the type curves available for finite- 2
conductivity vertical fractures does not yield unique t DX (k f bfl D
f
results. This is because the shape of pressure
Fig. 10 - Type curve for vertically fractured wells.
behavior curves is similar for different values of
dimensionless fracture conductivity over some
regions of the type curves. A close inspection of Fig. or
2 indicates that the uniqueness problem can exist if
pressure data to be analyzed occur at either the
bilinear flow period (one-fourth slope) or the
(kf b }D==1.25XIO- 2
f
telf
tb/f
j (26)
pseudoradial flow period.
These equations apply when (kfbf ) D ~ 100.
A convenient presentation of the type curve
Fig. 10 can be used as a type curve to analyze
published by Cinco-Ley et al., 25 Ramey et al., 31 and
pressure data for a fractured well. Pressure data on a
Agarwal et al. 29 is given in Fig. 10. We show a graph
graph of log t1[J vs. log t is matched on a type curve to
of log [PwD(kfbf}vJ vs. log [t Dx (kf bf }1J].* The
main feature of this graph is that for all values of determine (t1[J}M' [PwD(kfbf}D]M, (t)M' [t Dx
(kfbJ ) D the behavior of both bilinear flow (quarter . (kfbf}b]M' [(k/b/)D]M, (tebf}M' (tblj}M' anA
(tbss/) M' From thiS mformation, we can estimate the
slope) and the formation linear flow (half slope) is
following.
given by a single curve. Note that there is a transition
period between the bilinear and linear flows. The
dashed line in this figure indicates the approximate Dimensionless Fracture Conductivity.
start of the pseudoradial flow period (semilog
straight line). Also shown are the end of the bilinear
flow and the start of the formation linear flow; the
Formation Permeability. For oil,
time for the end of the bilinear flow from Fig. 10
agrees with the results presented in Fig. 5. The groups
of variables used in Fig. 10 were derived in Appendix k = _exo,,-q_B_J.l._ [PwD' (kfbf ) D]M
o ....... (27)
B, where it is shown that, for some values of fracture h(t1[J}M [(kfbf}vJM
conductivity, bilinear flow ends when fracture tip and, for gas,
effects are felt at the wellbore.
Although many curves are presented for
(kfbf ) D > 207r, the shape of these lines is essentially k - exgqT [PwD' (kfbf ) D]M
..... (28)
the same. The only difference is the duration of the g- h[~(P}]M [(kfbf}vJM
formation linear flow (half slope); that is, the higher
the fracture conductivity, the longer the linear flow
Fracture Half-Length.
period.
The beginning of the formation linear flow occurs
at t Dxf (kfbf ) b:::::
102 ; that is,
... (29)
100
tDblf == 2 • • ••••••••.•••••.•.••• (23)
(kfbf ) D
The end of this flow period is given by 19 Fracture Conductivity.

t Delf==0.016 (24)
End ofBilinear Flow.
Hence, the fracture conductivity may be estimated as
follows:
10
(kfbf}D== ~, (25)
'ItDblf Beginning ofFormation Linear Flow.

• A large-scale copy of this graph may be obtained from the authors.

SEPTEMBER 1981 1755

 Beginning ofSemi/og Straight Line.
End of Wellbore
Storage Effects

These results can be obtained if a large span of

pressure data is available. It should be kept in mind
that specific analysis graphs must be used for dif-
ferent flow regimes to obtain a better estimate of
both fracture and reservoir parameters.
Now we discuss cases where all pressure data fall
on a very small portion of the type curve and a
complete set of information may not be obtained.

Case 1. Pressure data exhibit one-fourth slope on a

Fig. 11 - Type curve for well bore storage under bilinear log-log graph (Fig. 7). According to the discussion
flow conditions. in the previous section, these data correspond to the
bilinear flow period and a unique match with Fig. 10
cannot be attained. The bilinear flow type of analysis
is the only method available for this case to obtain
information regarding the fracture characteristics
(kfb f )·
A minimum value for fracture half-length, xf' can
be estimated from Eqs. 14a through 14c for tiie end
2
-:: 10
.D 0-
of the bilinear flow; that is, for (kfb f ) D ~ 3, we
.x- <l have
01
a 0
O-~ ---' > 411O{3(kfbf)2tebf
- - -- Approximate start
of Semi log Straight
xf- '\/ c/>/l-ctk .. (31)
'fA Log t Line

10-2 L----'--------'-_-'----'--_l-----'--------'-_-'------'--_'--------'--------'- Generally, wellbore storage affects a test at early

4 time; thus, it is expected to have pressure data
10- 4 10- 2 10 2 10 106 108
2
t DX ( k f bfl D
distorted by this effect, causing deviation from the
f one-fourth slope characteristic of this flow period.
Fig. 12 - Type-curve matching for data in bilinear and Fig. 11 may be applied to analyze pressure data for
transitional flow. this case even if the duration of the test is not enough
to reach the one-fourth slope portion. It is important
to note that pressure behavior in Fig. 11 for both
wellbore-storage-dominated and bilinear-flow
portions is given by a single curve that completely
eliminates the uniqueness matching problem. The
correlating parameters F 1 (PwD) and F 2 (t Dxl) used
in this figure are derived in Appendix C and aefined
in Fig. 11.
0.
The end of wellbore stora~e effects in Fig. 11
<l occurs when F 2 (t Dxf) "" 2 x 10 ; that yields
OJ
o
......J
17.25 3/ c4
t ews :::::--'\/ 2 4 ••••••••••• (32)
{3 (kfb f ) h c/>ctk

From observation of the results presented in Fig. 11,

we can see that the end of wellbore storage effects
occurs three log cycles after the end of the unit slope.
Log t
This criterion is useful to determine whether the
Fig. 13 - Pressure data for a half-slope straight line in a
proper straight-line portion for bilinear flow analysis
log-log graph. is chosen (see Fig. 9). If Fig. 11 is used as a type
curve, the following information may be obtained:
[F 1 (PwD)]M' [F2(tDXf)]M' (i¥J)M' and (t)M'
Hence, we can estimate the following.

We/lbore Storage Constant. For oil,

C= 27rOl o {3qB/l-(t)M [F 1 (PwD)]M , (33)

(i¥J)M [F2 (tDx/)]M

1756 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

 Irmrnm
9
e
7
6 .
5
4

Fig. 14 - Effective wellbore radius vs. dimensionless fracture conductivity for a vertical fracture.

and, for gas, and, for gas,

C= 2'Trcx g {3qT(t)M [F I (PwD)]M , (34) f

( kfb )_ cxgqT rpWD(kfbf)D]M' .(38)
[.::lm(p)]M [F2 (t DXf)]M xf - h[.::lm(p)]M t

Fracture Conductivity. For oil, Fracture half-length and fracture conductivity. For
oil or gas,
_ 0.4 I ~ \ cxoqBp,[FI (PwD)]M'I 3
kfbf - h 2 ...j ¢c(k l (b.p) M j'
.... (39)
........................ (35)
and, for gas,
and

k b
f f
= 0.4
h2
J~ l\
¢c(k
cx g qI1FI<P wD)]M'I 3.
[.::lm(p)]M j

........................ (36)
Case 2. Pressure data partially match the curve for
the transition period between bilinear and linear
flows (Fig. 12). In this case, the remaining portion
of the data may correspond to bilinear or linear flow
and the type-curve match is unique because the
transition period has a characteristic shape. This
comment is valid for dimensionless fracture con-
ductivities, (kfbf ) D ~57f.
From the type-curve match of pressure data for
this case in Fig. 10, we obtain IPwD (kfb ) DlM'
f
[t Dxf (kfbf ) b]M, (M) M' and (b.p) M'
Hence, for oil,
SEPTEMBER 1981
Since the formation permeability generally is
known from prefracture tests, the dimensionless
fracture conductivity can be estimated by using
results from Eq. 37 or Eq. 38. Some of these results
also can be obtained from a specific analysis method
corresponding to the flow period exhibited by data
other than the transition flow region (i.e., bilinear
flow or linear formation flow, as discussed in the
bilinear flow analysis section and in Ref. 14).
If all pressure data fall on the transition period of
the curve, type-curve matching (Fig. 10) is the only
analysis method available.
Case 3. Pressure data exhibit a half-slope line on a
log-log graph. (Fig. 13). For this case there is no
unique match with Fig. 10; however, the linear flow
1757
 different values of fracture conductivity are similarly
P
shaped for the pseudoradial flow period. However,
wD the transient pressure behavior shown in Fig. 10 can
be correlated to analyze these cases better.
For the pseudoradial flow period, a fractured well
behaves like an unfractured well with an effective
wellbore radius being a function of dimensionless
fracture conductivity, (kfbf ) D' Fig. 14 presents a
graph of dimensionless effective wellbore radius,
r~/xf' vs. dimensionless fracture conductivity,
(kfb f ) D' Notice that for large values of
(k bf) D ( > 300), the dimensionless effective
Fig. 15 - Type curve for a finite·conductivity vertical
wefibore radius is 0.5, as mentioned by Prats et al. 8
fracture. If the dimensionless time is defined by using r~
instead of XI' a graph of Pwq vs. tDr~ I?rovides a
single curve for the pseudoradlal flow perIod for all
analysis presented by Clark 14 can be applied to values of dimensionless fracture conductivity (see
obtain fracture half-length if formation permeability Fig. 15). This curve provides an excellent tool for
is known. In addition, a minimum value for the type-curve analysis of pressure data partially falling
dimensionless fracture conductivity, (kfbJ) D.' can in the pseudoradial flow period because the
be estimated using Eq. 26. Note that t blf In Fig. 13 remaining data must follow one of the curves for
represents a maximum value for the time of the different fracture conductivities. Fig. 14 must be
beginning of the linear flo~ period and t elf represents used as an auxiliary curve to determine (kfbf ) D
a minimum value for the tIme of the end of the half when using Fig. 15.
slope.
Application of Fig. 15 to match pressure data
If wellbore storage effects are present at early
times in a test for this case, the analysis can be made provides (PwD)M' (tDr )M' (!!.p)M' (t)M' and
[(kfbf ) D]M' Hence, th~ following equations are
using the type curve presented by Ramey and given.
Gringarten. 21
Reservoir Permeability. For oil,
Case 4. Pressure data partially match the curve for
the pseudoradial flow period. If a large span of
pressure data is not available, a unique match would OIoqBp.
k= (PwD) M' (41)
not be obtained by using Fig. 10 because curves for h(!!.p) M

2
10 ..----------,------,------·-----'---1
MdLCh Point
o
[ot]1'! c 1 hour
.D
= 0.35 hour

[p
wD
Ik b l
f f OM
J 6.5 /t dxt , kfbflO' Iw
n
c 3.69 x 10
-2

10.
10 ~-----+-------+-----___t----
2.
-- I-
I I
I I
a. I
~ I
I
10
8
I - -, ~::::::C~ - - I- -
I
I o
I Beginning of Senilog Straight Line I
I I I
I 0 I I
1010.1 I I
107 '- _ .!.O'~ I 10,2 I 10- 1 _ '_ _ 10
1

10-2 ~O~ - - - - ~ -t DXf (~f bf)~ 101 /). t [hoursl

Fig. 16 - Type-curve matching for Well A.

1758 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

and, for gas, TABLE 2 - TEST INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS RESULTS
FORWELLA

cxgqT Reservoir Data

k= (PwD) M' (42) Production rate q, MscflD 7,350
h[~(P)]M Producing time tp , hours 2,640
Formation thickness h, ft 118
Porosity cJ>, fraction 0.1
Effective Wellbore Radius. For oil or gas, Permeability k, md 0.025
Formation temperature T, oR 690
r'
w
=J (3k(t) M
cPJl-Ct(tDr~)M' •...••••..•••.•.. (43)
Average gas viscosity p" cp
Total compressibility c t , psi- 1
Flowing wellbore pressure Pwf, psia
0.0252
0.129x 10- 3
1,320

Analysis Results Type-Curve Bilinear

By using [(kfbf ) D]M in Fig. 14, we obtain Analysis Flow Analysis
(r~/xf) Fig. 14; hence, kfb f,md-ft 148 154
x"~ ft 373 368
r'
Xf= [' j
r w/Xf Fig. 14
(44) (k:~f). md-ftift 0.3978 0.4185

The pressure data falling in the pseudoradial flow

(kfbf)D 15.9 -16.71
period also must be analyzed using the semilog ,;.., ft 171.6 -169.3
methods to estimate k and r ~ .
The discussion in this section clearly indicates (as
mentioned by Agarwal et al. 29 ) that caution and
diligence should be exercised when applying the type-
curve matching technique. To perform the type of From the time-match information and Eq. 39, we can
analysis presented in the four cases, it is necessary to calculate
have prefracture information.
It should be kept in mind that application of the
type-curve analysis method to pressure buildup tests
is appropriate when the producing time is large.
Examples of Application
J 2.637 x 10 4 x 1
. 0.1 x 0.025 x 1.29 x 10- 4 x 0.025 x 3.69 x 10- 2
Three examples illustrate the application of several of
the methods and theory previously discussed. =373 ft.
Well A Now, application of Eq. 40 yields
A buildup test was conducted in this fractured well
producing in a low-permeability reservoir. Table 2
presents the information and results of the analysis
for this test. Fig. 16 shows a log-log graph of pressure
data. matching the type curve given in Fig. 10. Notice We also can estimate
that the first data points are influenced by wellbore
storage and the rest of the data fall in both the (kfbf)D= kfb f ~
bilinear and the transition flow periods. The match- xf k
point results also are presented in Fig. 16. A
minimum value for (kfbf) D can be estimated from
0.3978
the position of the last data point with respect to the
= 0.025 = 15.9.
type curves; for this case, (kfbf)D min""' 51r.
The end of wellbore storage occurs at ap-
proximately 0.35 hour and the end of bilinear flow is From Fig. 14, r~/xf=0.46.
at 2.5 hours. We also see that the formation linear
flow period was not reached in this test. :. r~=373x0.46=171.6ft.
Since the test was not long enough to match a
curve for a specific value of (kfbf ) D' this example
corresponds to Case 2 in the type-curve-analysis Fi~. 17 shows the bilinear flow graph [~(p) vs.
section. t1t ~] for this example. Based on the information
Using the pressure data match and Eq. 38, we provided by Fig. 16, the correct straight line is
obtain drawn. The slope of this line is 1.62 X 10 8 psi 2 /cp-
hr ~, and at the end of bilinear flow
kfbf _ 1,424x7,350x690x6.5 t1m (P) ebf ""' 2.05 x 10 8 psi2/cp-hr~. Notice that the
xf - 118x109 pressure curve after the end of the bilinear flow
period is concave upward, indicating that
=0.3978 md-fUft. (kfbf ) D > 1.6.
SEPTEMBER 1981 1759
 10 ~

9
Cucve concave upwards ... (kfb ) D > 1.6 10
f

'"$1 6
0:
u
N~
<J)
Cl
E •
<J
108
Ci
E
<J Slope = 1/.1

Wellbore Storage

o 10 7
10- 2 10- 1
1~ V.
IllI) (hour I II t Ihours)

Fig. 17 - Bilinear flow graph for Well A. Fig. 18 - Log-log graph of pressure data for Well B.

TABLE 3 - TEST INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS RESULTS Hence,

FOR WEll B '

Reservoir Data
Production rate q, MscflD 1,675
Producing time tp , hours 1,800
Formation thickness h, ft 85
Porosity cf>, fraction 0.11
Permeability k, md 0.0045
Formation temperature T, OR 675
Average gas viscosity p., cp 0.025 From Fig. 14, r:V1xf = 0.46.
Total compressibility c t , psi- 1 0.152x 10- 3
Flowing wellbore pressure Pwf, psia 1,250 :.r:V =368 x 0.46 = 169.3 ft.
Analysis Results Type-Curve Bilinear
Analysis Flow Analysis We see that the results obtained by using both the
kfb f,md-ft 95.3 bilinear flow and the type-curve methods are ap-
Xf, ft ;;::692 proximately the same; this fact increases confidence
in the analysis performed.
(k:~f), md-ftlft ::50.1377
WellD
(kfbf)D ::530.6 A buildup test was run after fracturing this gas well.
::5325
Information about the test and results of analysis are
r.;." ft
presented in Table 3. A log-log graph of pressure
data (Fig. 18) indicates that the test was completely
dominated by bilinear flow (quarter slope),
corresponding this example to Case 1 in the type-
From Eq. 20, curve-analysis section.
The bilinear flow graph (Fig. 19) yields a straight
(kfbf ) Yz = (444.75 X7,350 X690)/11.62 X 10 8 X 118 line whose slope, m bf' can be used to calculate
(kfbf ) usingEq. 20:

·(0.1 x 0.0252 x 1.29 x 10- 4 XO.025}]~,

(kfbf ) Yz = (444.75 x 1,675 X675)![0.92 X 10 8
:. (kfbf ) = 154md-ft.
x 85 x (0.11 X0.025 x 1.52x 10- 4
Using Eqs. 22 and 2,
x 0.0045) ~],
(k b ) D "'" 1.38 or
f f (0.025X1l8X2.05XI0 8 )
1,424 X7,350 x 690

"'" 16.71. If we assume that the last data point corresponds to

1760 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY
 2

0.
u
"''::'
UJ
10 1 r - - - - - - , - - - - , - - - , - - - - - - - . - - - , - - - - - ,
Beginning of Semi log
0. (,H) last = 18 hours Straight Line
ro
o 10 3 1- - - - 1- - - 1- - 1- - - -
I I I !'latch Point
ffi
bf = 0.92 x 10
8 ~, Q I I (tlP)1-1 = 100 psi
cp hrV"
<J
___ 1 .1_(PWO)M '" 0.34

E I {6t)M = 1 hr
<J
I (t or ,l
M = 0.19
I I I w ,

10 '---- - - L 1 1 ..J
10,1 1 10 10 2 103
lit (hours!
10,2 L,-----'-:----'--,-----'--:...----'7-----'-;;-----.J
10,3 10,2 10,1 101 10 2 10 3
2 3
1;4 1/4
(lit) (hour )

Fig. 19 - Bilinear flow graph for Well B. Fig. 20 - Type-curve matching for Well C.

the end of the bilinear flow period and (kfbf) D ~ 3, TABLE 4 - TEST INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS RESULTS
then from Eq. 31, FORWELLC

~ lOx2.637xlO- 4 X(95.3)2 X18 Reservoir Data

Production rate q, STBID 220
xf ~ 0.11 x 0.025 x 1.52 x lO -4 x 0.0045 Producing time tp , hours 1,890
Formation thickness h, ft 49
=692 ft, Porosity <P, fraction 0.15
Viscosity 1-', cp 0.8
and Total compressibility c t , psi- 1 17.6x 10- 6
Formation volume factor 8 0 , bbllSTB 1.2
Well bore radius rw, ft 0.25
k b 95.3 Flowing well bore pressure Pwf, psia 1,704
~ ~ - - =0.1377 md-ft/ft.
xf 692 Analysis Results Type-Curve Semi log
Analysis Analysis
FromEq.6, 2.07 2.28
k,md
kfbf) 95.3 (kfbtlo 211"
(kfbf) D = ( kxf ~ -0-.0-04-5-X-6-9-2 ' x"~ ft 88.7
kfb f , md-ft 1,156
r;" ft 36.89 30.37
S -4.99 -4.8

From Fig. 14, r~/xf~0.47; hence, r~ ~0.47 X692,

r~ ~325 ft.

Welle
After a flowing time of 1,890 hours, a buildup test
Using information from the time match in Eq. 43,
was run on this fractured oil well. Information for
the test and analysis results are presented in Table 4. r' _~ 2.637x 10 4 x2.07x 1
Fig. 20 shows a log-log graph of the pressure data;
from this graph we can see that neither a one-fourth w- 0.15xO.8xI7.6xlO 6 x O. 19
slope nor a half slope is exhibited by the data. This
figure also shows that pressure data match the curve = 36.9 ft.
for (kfbf ) D = 27r given in Fig. 15 and the last six
points fall on the semilog straight line. From Fig. 14, r~/xf=0.415; hence,
From the pressure match obtained in Fig. 20 and 36.9
Eq. 41, we estimate xf= - - = 88.9 ft.
0.415
k= 141.2 x 220 x 1.2 x 0.8 x 0.34 The skin factor is estimated by
49x 100 r 0.25
s=ln ~ =In-- = -4 99
=2.07md. r~ 36.9 ..

SEPTEMBER 1981 1761

 7,------r-------,----,--r------, Conclusions
6
Based on the material presented in this work, the
following remarks are pertinent.
5 I. The transient flow behavior of a vertically
fractured well may exhibit four flow periods: (a)
2. 4 fracture linear flow, (b) bilinear flow, (c) formation
'"~ m = 307 psi/cycle
linear flow, and (d) pseudoradial flow. Bilinear flow
-
Q.
3 is a new type of flow that has not been considered
<l before.
2
00
2. A new technique is presented to analyze data in
o 0
0 the bilinear flow period. It is shown that, during this
o {l>p}
r
: -47 psi flow period, a graph of pwf[or m (Pwf)] vs. Vi yields
// lh
a straight line whose slope is inversely proportional
10
1 to hf(kfbf ) Yz.
lit Ihoursl 3. New type curves are now available for pressure
analysis of fractured wells. The uniqueness problem
Fig. 21 - Semi log graph for Well C. in the analysis is reduced considerably with the use of
these type curves.
4. Prefracture information about the reservoir is
necessary to estimate fracture parameters.
5. The type-curve analysis method must be used
simultaneously with the specific analysis methods
The fracture conductivity is
(Pwfvs. Vt,Pwfvs.1t, andpwfvs.log t) to produce
reliable results.
kfbf = (kfbf)nkxf
Acknowledgments
=27TX 2.07 x 88.9= 1,156.2 md-ft. Part of this work was develo,ped at Stanford U. and
the Inst. Mexicano del Petroleo. We are grateful to
Fig. 21 is a semilog graph for this example. The many people, especially H.J. Ramey Jr. for his
correct semilog straight line has a slope m = 307 encouragement and helpful comments.
psi/cycle and (Lip) Ihr = -47 psi. The formation
permeability can be calculated as Nomenclature
k = _16_2_._6_qB_fJ. bf = fracture width
mh B = formation volume factor
c = compressibility
162.6 x 220 x 1.2 x 0.8 C = wellbore storage coefficient
= =2.28md. F I ,F2 = correlating parameters for wellbore
307x49
storage
The skin factor is
h = formation thickness
S=1.151[(Li[J)lhr -log( k 2)+3.2275J hf = fracture height
m 1>fJ.ctrw k = permeability
kfbf = fracture conductivity
-47 (kfbf) n = dimensionless fracture conductivity
= 1.151 [ - m = slope of semilog straight line, gas
307
pseudopressure
2.28 mbf = slope of straight line for bilinear flow
-log 0.15 xO.8 x 17.6x 10- 6 x (0.25)2 P = pressure
q = well flow rate
+ 3.2275J = - 4.8. r w = wellbore radius
r~ = effective wellbore radius
s = skin factor or Laplace space variable
Finally, the effective wellbore radius is t = time
r~ =rwe-s =0.25 e4 .8 Lit = shut-in time
T = reservoir temperature
= 30.37 ft. x,y = space coordinates
xf = fracture half-length
The results provided by both the type-curve (X,{3 = unit conversion constants
analysis and semilog analysis methods are in good
agreement. From these examples it is demonstrated
r = gamma function
'Y/ = hydraulic diffusivity
that type-curve analysis, when applied properly,
provides an excellent diagnostic tool and a technique 1> = porosity
to estimate both reservoir and fracture parameters. fJ. = fluid viscosity

1762 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

Subscripts
b= beginning
bf = bilinear flow
g gas
D= dimensionless
e = end
f= fracture, flowing
i = initial
If= linear flow
o oil
t total
xf based on xf
w wellbore
References
1. Matthews, C.S. and Russell, D.G.: Pressure Buildup and
Flow Tests in Wells, Monograph Series, SPE, Dallas (1967) 1.
2. Ramey, H.J. Jr., Kumar, A., and Gulati, M.S.: Gas Well Test
Analysis Under Water-Drive Conditions, AGA, Arlington,
VA (1973).
3. Earlougher, R.C. Jr.: Advances in Well Test Analysis,
Monograph Series, SPE, Dallas (1977) 5.
4. Theory and Practice of Testing of Gas Wells, third edition,
Energy Resources Conservation Board, Calgary, Alta. (1975).
5. Ramey, H.J. Jr.: "Practical Use of Modern Well Test
Analysis," paper SPE 5878 presented at the SPE 46th Annual
California Regional Meeting, Long Beach, April 8-9, 1976.
6. Raghavan, R.: "Pressure Behavior of Wells Intercepting
Fractures," Proc., Invitational Well-Testing Symposium,
Berkeley, CA, Oct. 19-21, 1977.
7. Dyes, A.B., Kemp, C.E., and Caudle, B.H.: "Effect of
Fractures on Sweep-Out Patterns," Trans., AIME (1958) 213,
245.
8. Prats, M., Hazebroek, P., and Stickler, W.R.: "Effect of
Vertical Fractures on Reservoir Behavior - Compressible-
Fluid Case," Soc. Pet. Eng. J. (June 1962) 87-94; Trans.,
AIME,225.
9. Scott, J.O.: "The Effect of Vertical Fractures on Transient
Pressure Behavior of Wells," J. Pet. Tech. (Dec. 1963) 1365-
1369; Trans., AIME, 228.
10. Horner, D.R.: "Pressure Build-Up in Wells," Proc., Third
World Pet. Cong., The Hague (1951) Sec. 11,503-523.
II. Miller, C.C., Dyes, A.V., and Hutchinson, C.A. Jr.:
"Estimation of Permeability and Reservoir Pressure from
Bottom-Hole Pressure Build-Up Characteristics," Trans.,
AIME (1950) 189, 91-104.
12. Matthews, C.S., Brons, F., and Hazebroek, P.: "A Method
for Determination of Average Pressure in a Bounded
Reservoir," Trans., AIME (1954) 201,182-191.
13. Russell, D.G. and Truitt, N.E.: "Transient Pressure Behavior
in Vertically Fractured Reservoirs," J. Pet. Tech. (Oct. 1964)
1159-1170; Trans., AIME, 231.
14. Clark, K.K.: "Transient Pressure Testing of Fractured Water
Injection Wells," J. Pet. Tech. (June 1968) 639-643; Trans.,
AIME,243.
15. Millheim, K.K. and Cichowicz, L.: "Testing and Analyzing
Low-Permeability Fractured Gas Wells," J. Pet. Tech. (Feb.
1968) 193-198; Trans., AIME, 243.
16. Raghavan, R., Cady, G.V., and Ramey, H.J. Jr.: "Well-Test
Analysis for Vertically Fractured Wells," J. Pet. Tech. (Aug.
1972) 1014-1020; Trans., AIME, 253.
17. Gringarten, A.C. and Ramey, H.J. Jr.: "Unsteady-State
Pressure Distributions Created by a Well With a Single In-
finite-Conductivity Vertical Fracture, Soc. Pet. Eng. J. (Aug.
1974) 347-360; Trans., AIME, 257.
18. Gringarten, A.C. and Ramey, H.J. Jr.: "Unsteady-State
Pressure Distributions Created by a Well With a Single
Horizontal Fracture, Partial Penetration or Restricted En-
try," Soc. Pet. Eng. J. (Aug. 1974) 413-426; Trans., AIME,
257.
19. Gringarten, A.C., Ramey, H.J. Jr., and Raghavan, R.:
"Applied Pressure Analysis for Fractured Wells," J. Pet.
Tech. (July 1975) 887-892; Trans., AIME, 259.
SEPTEMBER 1981
20. Wattenbarger, R.A. and Ramey, H.J. Jr.: "Well Test In-
terpretations of Vertically Fractured Gas Wells," J. Pet.
Tech. (May 1969) 625-632; Trans., AIME, 246.
21. Ramey, H.J. Jr. and Gringarten, A.C.: "Effect of High-
Volume Vertical Fractures on Geothermal Steam Well
Behavior," Proc., Second United Nations Symposium on the
Use and Development of Geothermal Energy, San Francisco,
May 20-29, 1975.
22. Cinco, H., Ramey, H.J. Jr., and Miller, F.: "Unsteady-State
Pressure Distribution Created by a Well With an Inclined
Fracture," paper SPE 5591 presented at the SPE 50th Annual
Technical Conference and Exhibition, Dallas, Sept. 30-0ct. 3,
1975.
23. Raghavan, R. and Hadinoto, N.: "Analysis of Pressure Data
for Fractured Wells: The Constant-Pressure Outer Boun-
dary," Soc. Pet. Eng. J. (April 1978) 139-150; Trans., AIME,
265.
24. Raghavan, R., Uraiet, A., and Thomas, G.W.: "Vertical
Fracture Height: Effect on Transient Flow Behavior," Soc.
Pet. Eng. J. (Aug. 1978) 265-277.
25. Cinco, H., Samaniego, F., and Domlnguez, N.: "Transient
Pressure Behavior for a Well with a Finite-Conductivity
Vertical Fracture," Soc. Pet. Eng. J. (Aug. 1978) 253-264.
26. Holditch, S.A. and Morse, R.A.: "The Effects of Non-Darcy
Flow on the Behavior of Hydraulically Fractured Wells," J.
Pet. Tech. (Oct. 1976) 1169-1178.
27. Ramey, H.J. Jr., Barker, B., Arihara, N., Mao, M.L., and
Marques, J.K.: "Pressure Transient Testing of Hydraulically
Fractured Wells," paper presented at American Society
Topical Meeting, Golden, CO, April 12-14, 1977.
28. Cinco, H. and Samaniego, F.: "Effect of Wellbore Storage
and Damage on the Transient Pressure Behavior of Vertically
Fractured Wells," paper SPE 6752 presented at the SPE 52nd
Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition, Denver, Oct. 9-
12,1977.
29. Agarwal, R.G., Carter, R.D., and Pollock, C.B.:
"Evaluation and Prediction of Performance of Low-
Permeability Gas Wells Stimulated by Massive Hydraulic
Fracturing," J. Pet. Tech. (March 1979) 362-372; Trans.,
AIME,267.
30. Barker, B.: "Transient Flow to Finite-Conductivity Vertical
Fractures," PhD dissertation, Stanford U., Palo Alto, CA
1977.
31. Barker, B.J. and Ramey, H.J. Jr.: "Transient Flow to Finite-
Conductivity Vertical Fractures," paper SPE 7489 presented
at the SPE 53rd Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition,
Houston, Oct. 1-3, 1978.
32. Scott, J.O.: "A New Method for Determining Flow
Characteristics of Fractured Wells - Application to Gas Wells
in Tight Formations," paper 78-T-2, AGA 1978 Transmission
Conference, Montreal, T-279-186.
APPENDIX A
Short-Time Transient Pressure
Behavior for a Well With
a Finite-Conductivity Fracture
Derivation of Solution
Let us consider the system described in the text of this
paper. A fractured well produces at a constant flow
rate from an infinite reservoir. At small time values,
the pressure behavior of the system is not affected by
the tips of the fracture. In addition, the flow in the
formation is essentially linear and perpendicular to
the fracture plane. The reservoir and the fracture
may be treated as two different homogeneous
regions. 25
If the flow within the fracture is assumed to be
linear, the pressure behavior can be described by
a2p/D 2 apD I
axD 2 + (kfbf ) D aYD YD=O
1763
 The two partial differential equations are already
_1_ ap[D
= (A-I)
7JfD atDXj coupled by the boundary conditions. Application of
the Laplace transformation with respect to. time to
for O<xD < 00, tDxj >0. Eqs. A-I through A-8 and simplification yields
Initial Condition. 2
a pfD 2 apD I
2 + - -
PfD =0, tDXj=O, O:s;xD <00. . (A-2) aXD (kfbf ) D aYD Yd=O

Boundary Conditions.
s _
apfD I =- , t
= -PfD; O<xD < 00 (A-9)
7r
Dx >0, 7JfD
aXD XD=O (kfbf)D f
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . (A-3) Boundary Conditions.

and apfD I =- 7r , ••••••••••• (A-lO)

aXD Xd=O (kfbf ) D
lim PfD =0, tDxj >0, (A-4)
XD- OO lim PfD =0, (A-ll)
XD- OO
where, in oilfield units,
and
_ kh[Pi-Pf]
PfD - 141.2 qBJ.I. a2PD =SPD; O<YD<oo (A-12)
2
aYD
kh [Pi -p] Boundary Conditions.
PD = 141.2 qBJ.I.
PD IYD=O =PfD, (A-B)
0.OO0264kt lim PD=O' (A-14)
t Dxj = cPJ.l.Ctx/ ' YD- OO

where
x
xD=-' PfD (xD' s) =£tDXj [PfD (XD,t Dxj )],
xf
and and
Y
YD=-' PD (YD' s) = £tDXj [PD (YD' t DXj ) ].
xf
Now let us define
The variables not included above are defined in the
text. P and Pf represent the formation pressure and
the fracture pressure, respectively, x is the flow PD (r,s) = £YD [PD (YD,s)],
direction in the fracture, and Y is the formation flow Application of the Laplace transformation, with
direction perpendicular to the fracture plane. respect tOYD, to Eq. A-12 yields
The transient flow in the formation may be
described by
r 2~ I
aPDI
PD-rPD YD=O- -a--. ~
=sPD'" (A- 15)
a2p ap 'YD YD=O
~-~
D - --.!2- ,. O<y D < 00''
aYD utDxj By solving for PD and considering Eq. A-B, we
obtain
tDxj>O. . (A-5)
_ oPD I
rPfD+ - a -
Initial Condition. ~
PD= 2 'YD YD=O • (A- 16)
r -s
PD =0; O<YD <00; tDxj=O (A-6)
The inversion of this equation with respect to Y D
Boundary Conditions. yields
PD IYD=O =PfD; tDXj>O, (A-7)
a-
PD =PfD cosh (...;sYD) + : D I
'YD YD=O
and

lim PD =0; tDxj>O (A-8) ................. (A-17)

YD- OO

1764 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY

From Eqs. A-14 and A-I7, we can write Total Formation Flow
Eqs. A-18 and A-20 can be used to calculate the
-I
apD
- -
= - PfDVS. • •...•......•. (A-18) fraction of the well flow rate that is being produced
aYD YD=O from the formation. The formula for this case ap-
Next, substitution of Eq. A-18 into Eq. A-9 allows pears to be
us to write a partial differential equation with only
one dependent variable: q formation = 1_ exp ( 41 DXr 2 )
a2pfD2 -_ - s + 2vs_
PfD' (A-19)
q 7f 2 CfDf

aXD TlfD (kfb f ) D

The solution of Eq. A-19 with boundary conditions .erfc ( 2.../IDxr ) . . (A-25)
given by Eqs. A-tO and A-II can be expressed as 7fCfDf

7fexp [ -xD [ -
S
+
2VS] Yz For small values of 1Dx' the amount of fluid
- _ TlfD (kfb f ) D ] coming from the formation {s negligible; however, at
large values of 1Dx' most of the produced fluid
prD-
p S 2vs Yz
(kfbf}D s[-
TlfD
+ b
(kff}D
]
comes from the furmation. This illustrates the
physical behavior of the system.
" (A-20)
APPENDIXB
The pressure at the wellbore PWD is calculated at Derivation of Correlation Parameters
xD =0; thus, for Bilinear and Linear Flows
7f If we consider a fracture of length xf' Eq. A-4
PWD = -----s---2-vs=s:-----,l/;'"z-. . (A-21) becomes
(kfbf)D s[- + ]
TlfD (kfbf )D apfD I =0 (B-1)
aXD xD=1
Finally, the Laplace inversion of Eq. A-21 with
respect to 1DXf produces Using Eq. B-1 instead of Eq. A-4 and considering
incompressible flow within the fracture, the Laplace
~ r(DXf transformation solution for the problem stated in
PwD=
(kfb f ) D i Appendix A is

liWD~( -.+ "~O hexP[-2n

....................... (A-22)
[~ (kfb~)D2tJ )!(S(kl'tln

Unfortunately, Eq. A-22 is too complex to analyze

both the short- and long-time behavior of the
solution. Eq. A-21 may be used for this purpose.
.[~ (kfb~)D2 t) (B-2)

or
Short-Time Behavior
liwD(kfbf)D3~( -.+ n=O
00
The short-time approximation of the solution can be
obtained from Eq. A-21 by taking the limit as the
E 27r exp[ - 2n
variable s approaches infinity.Thus,
-
PwD- - ~
(k b }DS312 ' ..•....•........ (A-23)
f f
Inversion of this formula produces Eq. 8.
Long-Time Behavior
We can ()btain the solution for large values of time by
taking the limit of Eq. A-21 as s approaches zero;
hence, Hence,
7f 1 [ s ~]
PWD =::. .../2 (kfb ) D s5/4' (A-24) PWD(kfbf}D = (kfbf}D2J (k b }D2 . . . (B-4)
f f f
Inverting Eq. A-24 produces Eq. 12. This solution From Laplace inversion tables,
also may be obtained by considering incompressible 2
PWD (kfb f ) D =F[tDx/ (kfb f ) D ]. . ..... (B-6)
flow within the fracture.
SEPTEMBER 1981 1765
Hence, a graph of P w (kfbf)D vs. t Dx (kf b f )2 4/3 C 4/3 s 5/4
. Ids a smg
. Ie curve. D f (kfbf ) D - _ ~Y2[ Df ]
Yle C 5/3 P wD-7r (k b ) 2/3
For small values of dimensionless time, Eq. B-3 Df f f D
yields Eq. A-24, corresponding to bilinear flow.
The long-time approximation of Eq. B-3 yields
3
CD// S ~
.. (C-4)
7r +7r[ (k b )D2/ 3 ] j'
f f
PWD ~ 25'3/2 ' . • . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . (B-7)
From properties of the Laplace transformation,
which is the Laplace transform of the dimensionless
pressure for the formation linear flow. L -I f(as) -_1~F[t]
~ (C-5)

APPENDIXC Hence, Eq. C-4 can be written as

Derivation of Correlation Parameters
for Bilinear Flow with (kf b f )D
2I3
(C ) 1/3 PwD
=F[ (k(Cf b f )D) 4/32I3 t DXf']
Wellbore Storage Effects Df Df
When wellbore storage effects are considered in the
flow problem defined in Appendix A, the boundary ................... (C-6)
condition at x D = 0 becomes
This means that the bilinear flow solutions including
apfD I 7r (1- p
C Df a WD ), . (C-l) wellbore storage are represented by a single curve
when graphed in terms of
aXD xD=O (kfbf ) D atDxf
where (k b ) 213 (k b ) 2/3
--""f,--·-,,-f'I::;'~'--PWDvs. f f ~/3 t Dx '
C Df (CDf) f
C Df = 2 A.cChx 2' (C-2)
7r'I' t f
and C is the wellbore storage coefficient. SI Metric Conversion Factors
If flow within the fracture is considered in- cp x 1.0* E-03 = Pa·s
compressible and Eq. C-l is taken instead of Eq. A- ft x 3.048* E-Ol = m
3, the solution for the wellbore pressure in the psi x 6.894 757 E + 00 = kPa
Laplace space is given by ·Conversion factor is exact. JPT

...... (C-3)
PWD = --J2(k b f ) D s5/4
f
+ 7rCDfS 2 ' Original manuscript received in Society of Petroleum Engineers office Aug.
10, 1978. Paper accepted for publication June 4, 1979. Revised manuscript
received July 6,1981. Paper (SPE 7490) first presented at the SPE 53rd Annual
which can be written as Technical Conference and Exhibition, held in Houston, Oct. 1-3, 1978.

1766 JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM TECHNOLOGY