Analytical Modeling of Non-Darcy Flow-Induced Conductivity Damage in Propped Hydraulic Fractures

Abstract

This paper presents a simple analytical method to model the non-Darcy flow effect on the production performance of hydraulically fractured wells by modifying the fracture conductivity. The method is suitable to conveniently incorporate the non-Darcy flow effect in a production prediction model usually used for fracture treatment design and optimization. The method is validated against published information of field productivity and production prediction by other complex methods. The method is then used to demonstrate that the non-Darcy effect is one of the major sources for the loss of fracture conductivity, even at a low flow rate well, and hence the source for discrepancy between the predicted and actual productivities. Finally, the implication of neglecting the non-Darcy effect in fracture treatment optimization is also investigated, emphasizing the need to incorporate this effect even for low flow rate wells.