A Quantitative Evaluation of Two Classical Approximations Used to Predict the Extent of Vertical Hydraulic Fractures

1983 ◽  
Vol 105 (4) ◽  
pp. 512-527 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. B. Rubin

An integral equation was developed to predict the critical parameters (fracture width and length) associated with the propagation of a vertical hydraulic fracture and a numerical solution procedure was developed. The effects of the classical approximations of pressure and fracture width were investigated both separately and together. It was found that the effects associated with the pressure approximation were relatively insignificant, whereas those associated with the fracture width approximation were significant, particularly when the formation was only moderately permeable. Finally, an exact closed-form solution of the integral equation was developed for a special case. It was shown that when the formation is only moderately permeable, this solution provides a better approximation of the exact solution than the classical solution of Carter [2].

2015 ◽  
Vol 781 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. V. Dontsov ◽  
A. P. Peirce

This study revisits the problem of a steadily propagating semi-infinite hydraulic fracture in which the processes of toughness-related energy release, viscous dissipation and leak-off compete on multiple length scales. This problem typically requires the solution of a system of integro-differential equations with a singular kernel, which is complicated by the need to capture extremely disparate length scales. In this study the governing equations are rewritten in the form of one non-singular integral equation. This reformulation enables the use of standard numerical techniques to capture the complete multiscale behaviour accurately and efficiently. This formulation also makes it possible to approximate the problem by a separable ordinary differential equation, whose closed-form solution captures the multiscale behaviour sufficiently accurately to be used in practical applications. We also consider a similar reformulation of the equations governing the propagation of a buoyancy-driven semi-infinite hydraulic fracture. The resulting numerical solution is able to capture the near-tip multiscale behaviour efficiently and agrees well with published solutions calculated in the large-toughness limit.


1971 ◽  
Vol 45 (4) ◽  
pp. 673-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Cheng ◽  
A. Leonard

The governing equations for the problem of linearized flow through a normal shock wave in an emitting, absorbing, and scattering grey gas are reduced to two linear coupled integro-differential equations. By separation of variables, these equations are further reduced to an integral equation similar to that which arises in neutron-transport theory. It is shown that this integral equation admits both regular (associated with discrete eigenfunctions) and singular (associated with continuum eigenfunctions) solutions to form a complete set. The exact closed-form solution is obtained by superposition of these eigen-functions. If the gas downstream of a strong shock is absorption–emission dominated, the discrete mode of the solution disappears downstream. The effects of isotropic scattering are discussed. Quantitative comparison between the numerical results based on the exact solution and on the differential approximation are presented.


Author(s):  
Yves Achdou ◽  
Jiequn Han ◽  
Jean-Michel Lasry ◽  
Pierre-Louis Lions ◽  
Benjamin Moll

Abstract We recast the Aiyagari-Bewley-Huggett model of income and wealth distribution in continuous time. This workhorse model – as well as heterogeneous agent models more generally – then boils down to a system of partial differential equations, a fact we take advantage of to make two types of contributions. First, a number of new theoretical results: (i) an analytic characterization of the consumption and saving behavior of the poor, particularly their marginal propensities to consume; (ii) a closed-form solution for the wealth distribution in a special case with two income types; (iii) a proof that there is a unique stationary equilibrium if the intertemporal elasticity of substitution is weakly greater than one. Second, we develop a simple, efficient and portable algorithm for numerically solving for equilibria in a wide class of heterogeneous agent models, including – but not limited to – the Aiyagari-Bewley-Huggett model.


Author(s):  
Abir Chaouk ◽  
Maher Jneid

In this study we use the conformable fractional reduced differential transform (CFRDTM) method to compute solutions for systems of nonlinear conformable fractional PDEs. The proposed method yields a numerical approximate solution in the form of an infinite series that converges to a closed form solution, which is in many cases the exact solution. We inspect its efficiency in solving systems of CFPDEs by working on four different nonlinear systems. The results show that CFRDTM gave similar solutions to exact solutions, confirming its proficiency as a competent technique for solving CFPDEs systems. It required very little computational work and hence consumed much less time compared to other numerical methods.


SPE Journal ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (05) ◽  
pp. 2292-2307 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jizhou Tang ◽  
Kan Wu ◽  
Lihua Zuo ◽  
Lizhi Xiao ◽  
Sijie Sun ◽  
...  

Summary Weak bedding planes (BPs) that exist in many tight oil formations and shale–gas formations might strongly affect fracture–height growth during hydraulic–fracturing treatment. Few of the hydraulic–fracture–propagation models developed for unconventional reservoirs are capable of quantitatively estimating the fracture–height containment or predicting the fracture geometry under the influence of multiple BPs. In this paper, we introduce a coupled 3D hydraulic–fracture–propagation model considering the effects of BPs. In this model, a fully 3D displacement–discontinuity method (3D DDM) is used to model the rock deformation. The advantage of this approach is that it addresses both the mechanical interaction between hydraulic fractures and weak BPs in 3D space and the physical mechanism of slippage along weak BPs. Fluid flow governed by a finite–difference methodology considers the flow in both vertical fractures and opening BPs. An iterative algorithm is used to couple fluid flow and rock deformation. Comparison between the developed model and the Perkins–Kern–Nordgren (PKN) model showed good agreement. I–shaped fracture geometry and crossing–shaped fracture geometry were analyzed in this paper. From numerical investigations, we found that BPs cannot be opened if the difference between overburden stress and minimum horizontal stress is large and only shear displacements exist along the BPs, which damage the planes and thus greatly amplify their hydraulic conductivity. Moreover, sensitivity studies investigate the impact on fracture propagation of parameters such as pumping rate (PR), fluid viscosity, and Young's modulus (YM). We investigated the fracture width near the junction between a vertical fracture and the BPs, the latter including the tensile opening of BPs and shear–displacement discontinuities (SDDs) along them. SDDs along BPs increase at the beginning and then decrease at a distance from the junction. The width near the junctions, the opening of BPs, and SDDs along the planes are directly proportional to PR. Because viscosity increases, the width at a junction increases as do the SDDs. YM greatly influences the opening of BPs at a junction and the SDDs along the BPs. This model estimates the fracture–width distribution and the SDDs along the BPs near junctions between the fracture tip and BPs and enables the assessment of the PR required to ensure that the fracture width at junctions and along intersected BPs is sufficient for proppant transport.


1994 ◽  
Vol 08 (08n09) ◽  
pp. 505-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
XIAN-GENG ZHAO

It is demonstrated by using the technique of Lie algebra SU(2) that the problem of two-level systems described by arbitrary time-dependent Hamiltonians can be solved exactly. A closed-form solution of the evolution operator is presented, from which the results for any special case can be deduced.


2002 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 77-82
Author(s):  
Robert R. Reynolds ◽  
Jack H. Cole ◽  
Zhen Yuan

The influence of geometry on the pressure field within the confined, water-filled annulus between a central, vibrating cylinder and an outer, rigid enclosure is determined. A two-dimensional model is constructed using the finite element (FE) method and parameters are identified to characterize the eccentricity of the nominal cylinder position, the size of the annulus relative to the inner cylinder and the degree to which the annulus is not circular (i.e., it is elliptic). The FE solution is verified using a closed-form solution for the special case of a concentric cylinder and annulus. It is shown that the system acts as a force multiplier. Analyses of the asymmetrical geometries indicate that while the pressure field on the surface of the cylinder and enclosure can be highly asymmetric, the system is relatively insensitive to minor variations in annulus shape except when the vibrating cylinder is not centrally located within the fluid region or the annulus size itself is small.


2017 ◽  
Vol 837 ◽  
pp. 210-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. V. Dontsov ◽  
O. Kresse

This study investigates the problem of a semi-infinite hydraulic fracture that propagates steadily in a permeable formation. The fracturing fluid rheology is assumed to follow a power-law behaviour, while the leak-off is modelled by Carter’s model. A non-singular formulation is employed to effectively analyse the problem and to construct a numerical solution. The problem under consideration features three limiting analytic solutions that are associated with dominance of either toughness, leak-off or viscosity. Transitions between all the limiting cases are analysed and the boundaries of applicability of all these limiting solutions are quantified. These bounds allow us to determine the regions in the parametric space, in which these limiting solutions can be used. The problem of a semi-infinite fracture, which is considered in this study, provides the solution for the tip region of a hydraulic fracture and can be used in hydraulic fracturing simulators to facilitate solving the moving fracture boundary problem. To cater for such applications, for which rapid evaluation of the solution is necessary, the last part of this paper constructs an approximate closed form solution for the problem and evaluates its accuracy against the numerical solution inside the parametric space.


1962 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 318-320
Author(s):  
H. D. Conway

Commencing with Kelvin’s closed-form solution to the problem of a concentrated force acting at a given point in an indefinitely extended solid, a Fourier transform method is used to obtain an exact solution for the case when the force acts along the axis of a circular cylinder. Numerical values are obtained for the maximum direct stress on cross sections at various distances from the force. These are then compared with the corresponding stresses from the solution for an infinitely long strip, and in both cases it is observed that the stresses are practically uniform on cross sections greater than a diameter or width from the point of application of the load.


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