Post-closure analysis in hydraulic fracturing

摘要

Methods and processes are claimed for optimal design of hydraulic fracturing jobs, and in particular, methods and processes for selecting the optimal amount of proppant-carrying fluid to be pumped into the fracture (which is a crucial parameter in hydraulic fracturing) wherein these design parameters are obtained, ultimately from a priori formation/rock parameters, from pressure-decline data obtained during both linear and radial flow regimes, and by analogy with a related problem in heat transfer, in addition the claimed methods and processes also include redundant verification means.