The Fluid Mechanics of Hydraulic Fracturing (Oil Recovery)

The hydraulic fracturing of thin two-dimensional cracks embedded in porous rock is analyzed. The primary application of the hydraulic fracture process is the stimulation of oil wells of relatively low permeability. This is accomplished by pumping high pressure fluid down the wellbore in an effort to fracture the surrounding rock, and thereby, increase the effective permeability of the well. The principal goal of the present study is to determine how the time to fracture of an individual crack emanating from the wellbore depends on the permeability and elastic constant of the rock, the viscosity of the fracture fluid, and the rate of injection.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Theoretical and Applied Mechanics

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Gustafson, Craig Warren

• Applied Mechanics

Identifier

(UMI)AAI8721645

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/71693