SPE Production & Operations
Volume 27, Number 1, February 2012, pp. 8-19

SPE-145949-PA

Hydraulic-Fracture-Height Growth: Real Data

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DOI  More information 10.2118/145949-PA http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/145949-PA

Citation

  • Fisher, K. and Warpinski, N. 2012. Hydraulic-Fracture-Height Growth: Real Data. SPE Prod & Oper  27 (1): 8-19. SPE-145949-PA. http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/145949-PA.

Discipline Categories

  • 5.3.3 Hydraulic Fracturing and Gravel Packing
  • 6.9.2 Shale Gas
  • 5.4.4 Wellbore Seismic
  • 3.7.4 Energy Policy and Regulation
  • 2.5 Environment

Keywords

  • hydraulic fracturing, aquifer, microseismic, fracture height

Summary

Much public discourse has taken place regarding hydraulic-fracture growth in unconventional reservoirs and whether fractures could potentially grow up to the surface and create communication pathways for frac fluids or produced hydrocarbons to pollute groundwater supplies. Real fracture-growth data mapped during thousands of fracturing treatments in unconventional reservoirs are presented along with the reported aquifer depths in the vicinity of the fractured wells. These data are supplemented with an in-depth discussion of fracture-growth limiting mechanisms augmented by mineback tests and other studies performed to visually examine hydraulic fractures. These height-growth limiting mechanisms, which are supported by the mapping data, provide insight into why hydraulic fractures are longer laterally and more constrained vertically. This information can be used to improve models, optimize fracturing, and provide definitive data for regulators and interest groups.

© 2012. Society of Petroleum Engineers

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History

  • Original manuscript received: 3 November 2011
  • Meeting paper published: 30 October 2011
  • Manuscript approved: 8 January 2012
  • Published online: 16 February 2012
  • Version of record: 28 February 2012