Flow in Channels and Fractures

Analogies to Darcys Law

Channels and Fractures

Channels and Fractures can add significantly to flow capacity
Channels
Equivalent permeability, k = d2/32 in any consistent system (SI)
Equivalent permeability, k = 2.0428 x1010 d2
k in md
d in inches

Wormholes from acid stimulation

Fractures
Equivalent permeability, k = b2/12 in any consistent system (SI)
Equivalent permeability, k=5.4476x1010 b2
k in md
b in inches

Stimulation by hydraulic fracturing

Naturally fractured reservoirs

Channels
kA
Darcys Equation: q =
p
L

Porous media
Darcy units

Poiseuilles Equation:
Flow in tubes (A = r2 )
Darcy units, EXCEPT

r4
A d2
q=
p =
p
8 L
32 L

in Poises
p in dyne/cm2

Self Study - Derive the equivalent permeability shown previously

Make units of all dimensions the same in both equations
Cancel terms that are same dimension with same units

Fractures
kA
Darcys Equation: q =
p
L
Porous media
Darcy units

A b2
p
Buckinghams Equation: q =
12 L
Flow in slots

A = bh; vertical fractures

Darcy units, EXCEPT

in Poises
p in dyne/cm2

Self Study - Derive the equivalent permeability shown previously

Make units of all dimensions the same in both equations
Cancel terms that are same dimension with same units

Average Porosity
Bulk Volume Weighted, Integrated Average

dV

Vb

dV

Vb

For a discrete system with a specified number of channels/fractures

c/f Vb,c/f + matrix Vb,matrix

Vb, total

Note, c/f = 1
Vb,c/f can include multiple channels/fractures

Average Permeability
For channels or fractures of constant cross sectional area along
flow path (parallel flow)
k dA
k=

A flow

dA

A flow

For discrete values of permeability (piecewise integration)

k c/f A c/f + k matrix A matrix

k=
A total
Ac/f can include multiple channels/fractures