Leakoff

The rate of fluid leakoff controls the final frac

geometry
Leakoff is directly related to fluid efficiency
There are several mechanisms by which
leakoff occurs.
Leakoff Control Mechanisms
C
I
- fracturing fluid filtrate viscosity and
relative permeability
C
II
- reservoir fluid viscosity and
compressibility
C
III
- wall building or filter cake
Spurt Loss - instantaneous volume loss that
occurs before development of filter cake
C
I
- Leakoff Coefficient
C C
k p
I v
f
f
= = 0 0469 .
A |

where
viscosity control coefficient, ft / min
differential leakoff pressure, psi
= relative permeability to frac fluid filtrate, darcies
= porosity
effective viscosity of fracturing fluid, cp
C C
p
k
I v
f
f
= =
=
=
A
|

C
II
- Leakoff Coefficient
C C p
k c
II c
r t
r
= = 0 0374 . A
|

where
c
compressibility control coefficient, ft / min
differential leakoff pressure, psi
reservoir permeability to reservoir fluid, darcies
c=total formation compressibility, 1/ psi
=fractional formation porosity
viscosity of reservoir fluid,cp
C =C
p
k

II
r
r
=
=
=
=
A
|

C
III
- Leakoff Coefficient
C C
m
A
III w
= =
0 0164 .
where
C wall building coefficient, ft / min
cross - sectional area, cm
slope of a volume vs. time plot, ml / min
III
2
= =
=
=
C
A
m
w
Spurt Loss
Instantaneous volume of fluid per unit
area of fracture face before development of
filter cake
Generally occurs only in the pad volume
Usually determined from laboratory
experiments
Fluid Efficiency
For a given Fracture Area, A:
Vol CA t
loss
~ = t , when A A
leakoff fracture
1
Using the volume balance eq. (continuity):
A
Qt
C t w
=
+ t
and
Vol Aw Qt
w
C t w
Qt
frac
= =
+

(
=
t
q
or
( )
Vol Vol
frac inj
= q
Constant Fluid Loss Model
The total fluid loss coefficient, C, for a specific depth
interval does not change with respect to time, volume or
fluid type.
The fracture mesh is superimposed over the layered
reservoir data entered to create a grid. The fluid loss of
each grid element is controlled by the corresponding
constant coefficient entered.
Harmonic vs. Dynamic
Fluid Loss Model
For these models 3 components are assumed to
affect the diffusion of fluid into the rock.
Filter Cake - the permeability of the polymer that is deposited
on the fracture face.
Filtrate Viscosity - the properties of the portion of fracturing
fluid that permeates through the filter cake.
Reservoir Fluid Compressibility - how difficult is it to move in-
situ fluid out of the way or compress it ?
These resistance mechanisms are:
Wall Building Coefficient
Wall Building Coefficient
Laboratory procedure for determining the Wall Building Coefficient and
Spurt Loss of a Fluid
Harmonic vs. Dynamic
By combining the 3 resistance mechanisms, two
expressions have been cited as being representative of
the total fluid loss coefficient, C. They are:
) (
) (
Harmonic - C
C C C
C C C C C C
I II III
I II II III I III
=
+ +
( )
( )
| |
Dynamic - C
C C C
C C C C C C C
I II III
I III I III II I III
=
+ + +
2
4
2 2 2 2
Normally, C
III
dominates and Harmonic ~ Dynamic. Unless you want to
compare to another simulator, always choose the Dynamic model,
especially when you are using a non-wall building fluid or the in-situ fluid is
gas (i.e. compressible).