Semi-Infinite Hydraulic Fracture Driven by a Sequence of Power-Law Fluids
Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 147, Issue 10
Abstract
Hydraulic fracturing technology most often involves multiple fluids with different properties to achieve desired treatments. This study examines the effects of multiple sequential fluids on the stress, strain, and deformation fields in the near-tip region of a semi-infinite fracture. It is assumed that the immiscible displacement of multiple power-law fluids is separated by stable boundaries. The fracture opening of a steadily propagating hydraulic fracture is computed by solving the elasticity and lubrication equations. The numerical solution correctly captures the well-known asymptotic behavior at the crack tip for multiple fluids. Specifically, the multiple-fluids solution asymptotically approaches the solution for the first fluid in the immediate vicinity of the tip and approaches the solution corresponding to the last fluid far from the tip. In the transition region, the behavior depends on the presence of additional fluids and the locations of their respective boundaries. Illustrative results for multiple fluids with different properties and boundary locations are included.
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Data Availability Statement
The computer code developed in this study is available from the corresponding author by request.
Acknowledgments
The initial results of this work were obtained during the internship of the first author at W. D. Von Gonten laboratories. Permission to publish is greatly acknowledged.
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Published In
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 147 • Issue 10 • October 2021
Copyright
© 2021 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Oct 18, 2020
Accepted: Mar 15, 2021
Published online: Jul 24, 2021
Published in print: Oct 1, 2021
Discussion open until: Dec 24, 2021
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