Aymen Al-Ameri, Texas Tech University
Two new concepts are introduced for optimizing fracturing additives concentration. The first is based on the shear rate in the fracture while the second is shear rate independent concept that considers the fracture permeability or conductivity as a main optimizing aspect. To verify the new concepts, the changes in the indexes (n & k) of the power law equation because of the fluid thermal degradation are measured experimentally as a function of time. The new shear rate equation results showed that the shear rate in the fracture depends on fracturing additives concentration and the formation temperature. Since the new shear rate equation is function to the fracture width, shear rate independent equation to calculate the fracture width is developed. In comparison to Nordgren’s equation, the new equation is more sensitive to the fluid thermal degradation.
A new analytical model to calculate the Resistance Factor (RF) during fracturing treatment is developed. The new RF model can be used for optimizing fracturing additives concentration; moreover, to calculate the fracture permeability during fracturing treatment.