Please choose your delivery country and your customer group
This report describes analytical and experimental simulations of structural responses associated with hydraulic fracturing operations in rock media. The analytical and experimental investigations describe the stress patterns, fracture initiation thresholds, and fracture inclinations along with the governing influence of mechanical properties, crack geometry and primitive stresses. The studies provide fundamental information on the prediction, control, and optimization of hydraulic fracture within the framework of rock mechanics. The classical and finite element two and three dimensional solutions with the homogeneous elastic, isotropic medium assumptions, serve as initial benchmarks for simulation of the actual field operations. Refinement of finite element crack tips along with incorporation of detailed in situ properties (anisotropies, joints, layers, etc.) in the model will make it an accurate predictive tool. (ERA citation 02:053194)