Summary
This paper uses a three-dimensional three stress layer hydraulic fracturing model in conjunction with a fractured reservoir production model to optimize hydraulic fracture design. The hydraulic fracturing model has varying widths along the fracture and has the option to choose constant, linear or parabolic fracture height growth criterion. The fracturing fluid rheology is modeled with a non-Newtonian pressure loss model in the fracture, with the special case being the Newtonian model. The fractured reservoir production model uses an equation formulated from a work by Guo and Evans1,2. In this paper the specific reservoir properties were taken from a tight gas sandstone section of the Mesa Verde formation in Colorado3. It should be noted that the fracturing and production of any oil or gas reservoir can be simulated with this procedure. The fracturing parameters optimized in this paper are fracture length and fracturing fluid pump rate. The economics show that this optimization approach has great promise and that it can predict net revenue.
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