SPE 150817

Investigation of Fracture Ballooning and Breathing in Naturally

Fractured Reservoirs: Effect of Fracture Deformation Law
Pordel Shahri, M., SPE, Petroleum University of Technology, Ahwaz, Iran, Zeyghami, M., SPE,
Petroleum University of Technology, Ahwaz, Iran, Majidi, R., SPE, University of Tulsa Drilling Research
Projects, USA





Copyright 2011, Society of Petroleum Engineers

This paper was prepared for presentation at the Nigeria Annual International Conference and Exhibition held in Abuja, Nigeria, 30 July - 3 August 2011.

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Abstract
Borehole ballooning-breathing is the term used to
describe reversible mud losses and gains during drilling
operations. In naturally fractured reservoirs borehole
ballooning-breathing caused by opening/closing of
natural fractures is the major mechanism of this
phenomenon.
An accurate model of the fracture-induced ballooning-
breathing phenomenon could provide an aid in mud
optimization and improve the well control procedures
while drilling in naturally fractured reservoirs. Using this
model, the hydraulic aperture of conductive fractures can
also be obtained by continuous monitoring of mud losses
and gains. Different models have been developed recently
discussing this phenomenon. Each of these models
considered some special conditions and investigated the
effect of different parameters.
This paper first discusses the previous models of fracture
ballooning in detail. Then a new model is developed for
radial flow of mud with Yield-Power-Law (Herschel-
Bulkley) rheology in a single isolated deformable
horizontal circular fracture. In this model exponential
deformation law is used for fracture deformation, which
is more realistic than the simplified linear deformation
law. Also, this model is developed for both fracture
ballooning and breathing phenomena.
From the developed model it is concluded that cumulative
loss in the case of exponential deformations less than that
of linear deformation during fracture ballooning. This
difference is due to pressure distribution in both cases.
The pressure builds up faster for exponential deformation
due to higher transmibility of the fracture. Different
conditions are discussed in detail which could help in
-breathing during drilling operation.
hortcomings of the developed modeling approach are
outlined.
o
. In non-fractured
better understanding of the factors controlling borehole

ballooning
S

1. Introduction
Mud losses/mud gains have been a major problem in the
drilling industry and the identification and treatment of
this problem are still crucial issues due to the high cost of
the drilling operations. The oil industry spends
considerable amounts of money and time to avoid lost
circulation incidents and their dangerous consequences.
Several practical solutions have been recommended t
avoid drilling fluid losses and gains; however the industry
still has problems with detecting and combating them.
Borehole ballooning-breathing is the term used to
describe reversible mud losses and gains during drilling
operations. Failure to prevent borehole ballooning can
greatly increase the high cost of drilling and the drilling
time. In naturally fractured reservoirs borehole
ballooning-breathing caused by opening/closing of natural
fractures is the major mechanism of this phenomenon.
Complete mud losses are known to occur in heavily
fractured formations. Limited losses with subsequent mud
gains when the pumps are shut down and the circulation is
stopped, are possible when an isolated fracture of limited
extension is encountered during drilling
shale formations, mud losses have been attributed to the
borehole wall deformation (Gill, 1989).
An accurate model of the fracture-induced ballooning-
breathing phenomenon can therefore provide an aid in
mud optimization and improve the well control
2 SPE 150817

fractured formation. They showed that fracture roughness
plays a significant role in the flow into a single fracture
and in the opening and closing of fractures.
Majidi et al. (2008a,b) considered Yield-Power-Law
(Herschel-Bulkley/YPL) fluid rheology which allows for
the investigation of the effect of different drilling fluid
rheology on borehole ballooning. They concluded that the
fluid loss in the fractures could be stopped either because
of high yield stress of drilling fluid or limited extension of
the fracture. In their model, drilling fluid from a borehole
into a non-propagating fr
procedures while drilling in naturally fractured reservoirs.
Using this model, the hydraulic aperture of conductive
fractures can also be obtained by continuous monitoring
of mud losses and gains. Different models have been

howed the effect of
e a good
ry approximation. The effects of fracture
ehole and the
acture was modeled under the
arbon, or water). In order to
show this effect, the new developed model is solved for
reathing phenomena to
he mud loss and gain
fracture walls is neglected by
ormation fluid and
drilling fluid are assumed to have the same properties.
fluid are considered to
on is considered as the main
f the fluid pressure in that point in two ways:
linear deformation, in which fracture aperture is a linear
function of fluid pressure, or exponential deformation, in
which fracture aperture is an exponential function of fluid
pressure.
developed recently discussing this phenomenon. Each of
these models considered some special conditions and
investigated the effect of different parameters.
Lietard et al. (1996) developed a model based on radial
flow of Bingham-Plastic fluid into an unlimited extension
fracture. Lietard showed that the mud losses will
eventually stop due to the yield stress of drilling fluid.
The ultimate volume of loss depends on the yield value of
the drilling fluid and the amount of over pressure. The
real time determination of the width of natural fractures
intercepted by a drilling bit has been shown to be possible
from the interpretation of the mud loss history plot. Type
curves have been provided that allow for superposition
and easy derivation of the fracture width from the shifts of
both log/log axes and a late-time match with the
maximum invasion radius in the case of a Bingham mud.
Lavrov and Tronvoll (2004) modeled borehole ballooning
caused by the opening and closing of natural fractures in
radial coordinates. They assumed that the fractures have
smooth surfaces and undergo linear deformation with
changing fluid pressure inside the fracture. In their model,
mud rheology is considered as power law model.
Numerical solution of their model s
different parameter such as consistency factor, fracture
length, borehole pressure, borehole diameter, and fracture
aperture on the amount of mud loss.
Lavrov and Tronvoll (2005) extended their model for
different types of mud rheology, i.e. Newtonian, power-
law, and bi-viscous, the latter was considered to b
approximation for a more troublesome Bingham
rheology. They also used exponential deformation law for
fracture deformation by changing fluid pressure.
Lavrov and Tronvoll (2006) developed a new model
which considered a planar, arbitrarily inclined,
rectangular fracture in a non-porous impermeable
surrounding material. In their study, Newtonian fluid flow
from a fracture was analyzed numerically using the
lubrication theo
inclination, fracture dimensions, fracture compressibility,
and borehole position on the flow rate dynamics were
investigated.
Ozdemirtas et al. (2007) introduced a two dimensional
model of borehole ballooning and/or breathing. The
model considers the effects of fluid rheology and fracture
roughness on the fracture-volume change as a function of
transient wellbore-pressure fluctuations inherent in typical
drilling operations. The model was solved numerically to
investigate the effects of fracture roughness, fracture
dimensions, and the fracture-surface-deformation law on
the fluid-loss and -gain rate between the bor
assumptions of linear fracture deformation. By
introducing a realistic non-Newtonian fluid rheology, new
type curves were provided which describe mud losses of
YPL fluids into fractures.
In this study, a theoretical framework has been developed
for radial flow of mud with Yield-Power-Law rheology to
a single isolated deformable horizontal circular fracture.
Exponential deformation law is used for fracture
deformation which is more valid than linear deformation
by experimental data of Bruel et al. (1994). Numerical
simulation with the developed model is compared with
the Majidi et al. (2008a,b) in order to show the effect of
fracture deformation law. Also, during the pump-off
period, any mud return of significant size can be
misdiagnosed as a kick caused by an influx of formation
fluids (gas, liquid hydroc
both fractures ballooning and b
have a better understanding of t
during drilling operation.
2. Development of Model
2.1. Basic Assumptions
A single horizontal circular fracture of outer radius r
e
located in an impermeable rock is considered. Assuming a
horizontal fracture helps to eliminate the effect of gravity
and thus maintains the axial symmetry of the problem.
Leak off through the
assuming an impermeable fracture wall. This assumption
is not unreasonable for tight carbonate rocks in which
matrix permeability is negligible in comparison to the
fracture permeability.
The fracture is initially filled with formation fluid under
the static formation pressure p
i
. F
Both formation fluid and drilling
be incompressible, which is a reasonable assumption at
least for water-based drilling fluids.
2.2. Fracture Deformation
Since fracture deformati
mechanism under which borehole ballooning-breathing
takes place, the behavior of the model describing this
phenomenon is heavily dependent on the way the fracture
deformation is modeled.
Fracture aperture in a given point can be modeled to be a
function o
SPE 150817 3

2.2.1. Linear Deformation
In this case, fracture aperture in a given point is assumed
n nction of the fluid pressure inside the
int as follows:
to be a li ear fu
fracture in that po
w = w
o
p -p
I
+
K
n
(1)
Where w is the local fracture aperture; p is the fluid
pressure at that point inside the fracture; K
n
is fractures
normal stiffness, which is a proportionality coefficient
between aperture and fluid pressure; and w
o
is the initial
fracture aperture at initial fluid pressure, p
i
.
Although linear deformation assumption is a large
simplification of the problem, it is not unreasonable to
make such an assumption in some special cases e.g. when
the fracture compressibility or the range of fluid pressure
variation is small.
2.2.2. Exponential Deformation
In this case fracture aperture in a given point is considered
to be an expon tion of the fluid pressure inside
follows:
ential func
the fracture in that point as
w = w
-
p |-
[(o
n
-p)
ex
S
]
(2)
Where w is the local fracture aperture; p is the fluid
pressure at that point inside the fracture; o
n
is the normal
total stress; is an empiric coefficient associated with the
fracture normal compressibility; and w
-
is the fracture
aperture when the fluid pressure inside the fracture is
equal to the fracture gradient i.e. the largest attainable
fracture opening before the fracture starts to propagate.
Exponential deformation assumption is more realistic than
the simplified linear deformation model.
2.3. Fluid Rheology
Yield- ower-
describ g the
=

ky
m

P Law (YPL) model is chosen as the model
fluid rheology in :
+
Where is the shear stress;

is the yield stress; k is the

consistency factor; m is the power exponent or flow
behavior index and is the shear rate (i.e. is the velocity
gradient in the direction perpendicular to fracture wall
(o:oz)). This model is more general than all previous
models (Newtonian, Power law and Bingham Plastic) as it
takes into account both the shear thinning and yield stress
effects which are the properties of most drilling fluids.
(3)
2.4. Governing Equations
Conservation of mass for radial flow of an incompressible
side a frac e with an impermeable wall is given fluid in tur
by:
o(w: )
or
+
1
r
w: +
ow
ot
= u
(4)
Where : is the average radial velocity of the fluid inside
the fracture, which is a function of time (t) and position
(r) and w is the fracture aperture given by Eq. (1) or Eq.
(2). Using the conservation of momentum to find the
average radial velocity of a YPL fluid inside t
the following expression is obtained:
he fracture,
: = [
m
2m+1
_
w
m
m+1
2
m+1
m
k
1
m
__-
Jp
Jr
-_
2m+1
m+1
] _
2

w
]_
m
1
(5)
By Substituting Eq. (5) into Eq. (4) the follow
deferential equation is obtained:
ing partial
[
m
2m+1
_
2
m+1
m
1
k
1
m
_
o
or
_w
2m+1
m _-
Jp
Jr
-_
2m+1
m+1
] _
2

w
]_
1
m
_
+
m
[
2m+1
_
1
2
m+1
m k
1
m
_w m
2m+1
1
r
_-
Jr
Jp
-_
m+1
2m+1
] _

w
2
]_
1
m
+
ot
ow
= u
(6)
F re inside l rm
disturbed as the drilling fluid
all time
int < and he en
nd riod. The
cha pres ich is sho
r
(9)
Fracture walls are consid nd thus
fracture tip acts like a no-f
luid pressu the fracture is initia ly unifo and
equal to the formation pressure.
p = p

r
w
< r < r
c
, t = u (7)
This pressure equilibrium is
propagates into the fracture due to the overbalance
pressure at the well for t>0.
At =0, t rehol trate rmation; the
pre
time t he bo e pene s the fo
ssure at the wellbore increases to p
w
during sm
erval 0 t <t
KBa
stays constant for t tire
ballooning period:
p = p
w
i = i
w
, t
KBa
< t < t
Ba
(8)
At the end of ballooning period, pressure decrease to the
initial reservoi ure u interval and
stay tant
r press d ring same time
cons to the e of the breathing pe
nge in sure wh is used in simulation
t
B

wn
in Fi e 1.
p p i = i
w
gur
=
I
, t
KBr
< t <
ered impermeable a
low boundary:
op
the
or
= u r = r
c

(10)
eters used as the output of e
ate at the wellbore at each time st
2.5. Simulation
Eq. (6) is solved numerically using explicit finite
difference method and the given initial and boundary
n o rate and cumulative volume of loss/gain co ditions. Fl w
are the o main param
simulat Flow r
tw th
ion. is
calculated by:
q
w
= 2i
w
w
w
ep
v
w
(11)
Where w
w
is the fracture aperture at the wellbore and v
w

r is the ave ag dia velocity of the flui
fracture at the wellbore, computed by Eq. (5)
rewritten as:
q
w
= 2 i
w
w
w
[
m
2m+ 1
e ra l d inside the
. This can be
_
w
w
m+1
m
2
m+1
m
k
1
m
__-_
up
ui
]
r
v
-_
2m+1
m+1
] _
2
y
w
w
]_
m
1

w ate is c
(12)
alculated, cumulative volume of
ed by integrating the flow rate over th
w:
After the flo r
loss/gain is obtain
time interval as follo
e
v
cum
= _ q
w
ut
t
0
(13)
4 SPE 150817

e volume of loss/gain
e selected equally in
ation, as
is reduction in the differential
will be larger and thus
ue to faster
pressure reduction during breathing phenomenon in case
n law, which is a result of larger
acture deformation, which is more
nt
Graphs of flow rate and cumulativ
versus time are used as the major tools for later analyses.
3. Results and Discussion
The input parameters of the numerical solution for both
linear and exponential fracture deformation laws are
shown in Table 1. Parameters that affect the mud loss in
the fracture such as mud rheological properties and
borehole and formation pressure ar
both models. Therefore fracture deformation law is the
only factor that will affect the amount of filtration rate
and cumulative loss to the fracture.
Figure 2 illustrates the changes in fracture aperture as a
function of the fluid pressure inside fracture for linear and
exponential deformation laws, using input parameters of
Table 1. As the fluid pressure inside the fracture declines
from the normal total stress of the formation (
n
=3.5E+7)
to lower pressures values, the fracture aperture shrinks
exponentially in the case of exponential deformation law
and linearly in the case of linear deformation law. This
makes the fracture aperture in case of exponential
deformation always be larger than linear deform
shown in Figure 2. Parameters related to the deformations
law are selected in such a way that the best match
between linear and deformation law is obtained.
The amount of cumulative filtration losses for linear and
exponential deformation laws are plotted in Figure 3. The
figure reveals that the amount of loss in the case of linear
deformation is calculated to be larger than that of
exponential deformation. According to Eq. (13), this must
be due to a larger filtration rate in case of linear
deformation law. Values of filtration rate for linear and
exponential deformation laws are plotted in Figure 4
which clearly approves larger filtration rate in case of
linear deformation. Filtration rate is related to the fracture
aperture and filtrate velocity at the wellbore according to
Eq. (11). As the wellbore pressure is assumed to remain
constant during the drilling operation, fracture aperture at
the wellbore will also remain constant in both cases;
however, its value is larger in case of exponential
deformation, as shown in Figure 2. Larger fracture
aperture at the wellbore must have caused more filtration
in the case of exponential deformation, contrary to the
result obtained in Figure 3. This indicates that the other
parameter affecting the filtration rate, which is the filtrate
velocity at the wellbore, must have caused a larger loss in
the case of linear deformation. The filtration velocity
itself is related to the differential pressure at the wellbore
as shown by Eq. (5). The larger the differential pressure at
the wellbore, the more filtration will be lost into the
fracture. In order to compare the pressure distributions in
cases of linear and exponential deformation laws, a plot of
pressure distribution during filtration loss to the fracture is
shown in Figure 5. As shown, the pressure along the
fracture builds up faster in the exponential deformation
than the linear deformation. Thus, the pressure in the
fracture is higher in the case of exponential deformation
law than linear deformation at the same time. Higher
pressure along the fracture means a lower differential
pressure at the wellbore in case of exponential
deformation law. Th
pressure at the wellbore reduces the filtrate velocity and
thus filtration rate in the fracture, which in turn causes a
lower amount of cumulative filtration losses, as observed
in Figure 3.
Faster pressure build up in case of exponential
deformation must be related to fracture aperture, since all
other parameters are held constant for both cases. As
shown in Figure 2, exponential deformation law produces
larger fracture aperture. When the fracture aperture is
larger, the fracture transmibility
the filtrate will move easier along the fracture. This will
make the pressure build up faster in the case of
exponential deformation law and consequently reduces
the filtration rate to the fracture.
Fracture ballooning and breathing is also investigated for
both linear and radial deformation laws. The input
parameters related to mud loss/gain are shown in Table 1.
The wellbore pressure changes during drilling operation
as shown in Figure 1. In ballooning part, the wellbore
pressure is higher than fracture pressure and the filtrate is
lost into the fracture by means of this differential
pressure. The fracture ballooning is plotted in first part of
the Figure 6. The amount of cumulative loss is larger for
linear deformation law as discussed before. After some
times, the drilling operation is stopped and the wellbore
pressure returns to the initial value which is 2E+7 Pa. In
this time, the fracture pressure is higher than wellbore
pressure due to the previous filtrate invasion. This
differential pressure causes the filtration to move back to
the wellbore which is known as fracture breathing. This
filtration is assumed as a kick in some situation which is a
common mistake during drilling operations. The filtration
gain into the wellbore is also larger in the case of linear
deformation as shown in Figure 6. This is d
of linear deformatio
fracture transmibility, similar to what discussed for
pressure build up in ballooning phenomenon.
4. Conclusions
A theoretical framework has been developed for radial
flow of mud with Yield-Power-Law (Herschel-Bulkley)
rheology in a single isolated deformable horizontal
circular fracture. In this model exponential deformation
law is used for fr
realistic than the simplified linear deformation law used in
previous works. The model is solved numerically and a
comparison is done between the latest developed model
and the new model.
It is concluded that the filtration loss is larger in the case
of linear deformation compared with exponential
deformation. This difference is due to the differe
pressure distributions in the two cases. The pressure
builds up faster for exponential deformation due to larger
SPE 150817 5

here both
model of the fracture-induced ballooning-
s monitoring of mud losses
and gains.
dimension could be considered for
ure ctangular
coordin nd compare with the
ults dial flow for both linear and
e
me
Normal
fracture aperture. This pressure build up reduces the
differential pressure which accounts for filtration loss.
The model is also developed for a condition w
fracture ballooning and breathing take place, which is
more common during drilling operations. The filtration
moves back to the wellbore when the pump is stopped.
The amount of filtration gain during fracture breathing is
larger for the linear deformation law due to the larger
differential pressure existing along the fracture.
Developed
breathing phenomenon could provide an aid in mud
optimization and improve the well control procedures
while drilling in naturally fractured reservoirs. Using this
model, the hydraulic aperture of conductive fractures can
also be obtained by continuou
The effect of flow
fut studies. Flow of filtrate in the re
ation must be modeled a
res obtained from ra
expon ntial deformation law.
No nclature
Empiric Coefficient of Fracture
Compressibility [L.T
2
/M]
Shear Rate [1/T]
Shear Stress [M/L.T
2
]

y
Yield Stress [M/L.T
2
]
Normal Stres
2
s [M/L.T ]

icular to the Fracture
r [M/L.T ]
]

ure [M/L.T ]
/L.T
2
]
side the Fracture [M/L.T
2
]
[L
3
/T]
e [L]
r
w
s [L]
n
dp Pressure Differential [M/L.T
2
]
dr Radius Increment [L]
dt Time Increment [T]
dv Velocity Differential [L/T]
dz Differential Distance Perpend
Surface [L]
(2-m)
K Consistency Facto
K
n
Normal Fracture Stiffness [M/L
2
T
2
m Flow Behavior Index (Power Law Exponent)
2
p
i
Formation Fluid Press
p
w
Borehole Pressure [M
p Pressure In
q Flow Rate [L
3
/T]
q
w
Flow Rate at the Wellbore
r Distance from Borehole axis in Fracture Plan
Wellbore Radiu
r
ext
Fracture Radius [L]
Time [T] t
t
B
r

a
Duration of Ballooning [T]
on of Pressure Increase at the Start of
rease at the Start of
t
B
t
KBa
t
KBr
Duration of Breathing [T]
Durati
Ballooning [T]
Duration of Pressure Dec
Breathing [T]
v Fluid Velocity [L/T]
v Fluid Velocity Averaged across Fracture Aperture
[L/T]
v
w
Fluid Velocity at the Wellbore Averaged across
m

Aperture in a Given Point Inside the Fracture [L]
*
Fracture Aperture at zero Ef ctive Stress (w at p
=
n
) [L]
w
o
Initial Fracture Aperture (w at p=p
i
) [L]
w
w
Fracture Aperture at the Wellbore [L]
z one of Cylindrical Coordinates, along borehole
axis [L]


Fracture Aperture [L/T]
V
cu
Cumulative Volume of Mud Loss [L
3
]
w
w fe
6 SPE 150817
References
1- Bruel, D., Cacas, M.C., Ledoux, E., and de Marsily, G.
(1994) Modeling Storage Behavior in a Fractured Rock
Mass, J. Hydrology 162, 267.
2- Gill, J.A. (1989) How Borehole Ballooning Alters
Drilling Responses, Oil & Gas J., 87, 43.
3- Lavrov, A. and Tronvoll, J., (2004) Modeling Mud
Loss in Fractured Formations Paper SPE 88700 presented
at the 11
th
Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition
and Conference held in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.
4- Lavrov, A. and Tronvoll, J., (2005) Mechanics of
Borehole Ballooning in Naturally-Fractured Formations
Paper SPE 93747 presented at the 14
th
SPE Middle East Oil
& Gas Show and Conference held in Bahrain International
Exhibition Centre, Bahrain.
5- Lavrov, A. and Tronvoll, J., (2006) Numerical
Analysis of Radial Flow in a Natural Fracture: Applications
in Drilling Performance and Reservoir Characterization
Paper SPE 103564 presented at the Abu Dhabi International
Petroleum Exhibition and Conference held in Abu Dhabi,
U.A.E.

6- Lietard, O., Unwin, T., Guillot, D., and Hodder, M.,
(1996) Fracture Width LWD and Drilling Mud/LCM
Selection Guidelines in Naturally Fractured Reservoirs
Paper SPE 36382 presented at the European Petroleum
Conference, held in Milan. Italy.
7- Majidi, R., Miska, S.Z., Yu, M. and Thompson, L.G.,
(2008a) Quantitative Analysis of Mud Losses in Naturally
Fractured Reservoirs: The Effect of Rheology Paper SPE
114130 presented at the 2008 SPE Western Regional and
Pacific Section AAPG Joint Meeting held in Bakersfield,
California, U.S.A.
8- Majidi, R., Miska, S.Z., Yu, M. and Thompson, L.G.,
(2008b) Fracture Ballooning in Naturally Fractured
Formations: Mechanism and Controlling Factors Paper
SPE 115526 presented at the 2008 SPE Annual Technical
Conference and Exhibition held in Denver, Colorado,
U.S.A.





















Table 1: Summary of Base Case input Parameter
Description Parameter Value
Empiric Coefficient of Fracture Normal
Compressibility [Pa
-1
]
8.57141
0
-8

Yield Stress [Pa]
y
10
Normal Stress [Pa]
n
3.510
7

Radius Increment [m] dr 0.1
Time Increment [s] dt 510
-5

Consistency Factor [Pas
m
] K 0.2
Normal Fracture Stiffness [Pa/m] K
n
410
10

Flow Behavior Index (Power Law
Exponent)
m 0.8
Formation Fluid Pressure [Pa] p
i
2 10
7

Borehole Pressure [Pa] p
w
3 10
7

Wellbore Radius [m] r
w
0.1
Fracture Radius [m] r
ext
10
Duration of Ballooning [s] t
Ba
10
Duration of Breathing [s] t
Br
10
Duration of Pressure Increase at the Start
of Ballooning [s] t
KBa

1
Duration of Pressure Decrease at the Start
of Breathing [s] t
KBr

1
Fracture Aperture at zero Effective Stress(
w at p =
n
) [m]
w
*
8.7510
-4

Initial Fracture Aperture (w at p=p
i
) [m] w
o
510
-4



Figure 1: Pressure change during drilling operation



0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e
,

M
P
a
Fracture Ballooning
Fracture Breathing
Time (Sec)
SPE 150817 7


Figure 2: Change in fracture aperture with pressure
for linear and exponential deformation law

Figure 3: Cumulative loss for linear and exponential
deformation law

Figure 4: Filtration loss rate for linear and exponential
deformation law

Figure 5: Pressure distribution for linear and
exponential deformation law at different time


Figure 6: Fracture Ballooning and Breathing for
linear and exponential deformation law


2 2.5 3 3.5
x 10
7
5
6
7
8
9
x 10
-4
Pressure (Pa)
F
r
a
c
t
u
r
e

A
p
e
r
t
u
r
e

(
m
)


Exponential Deformation
Linear Deformation
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
0
0.01
0.02
0.03
0.04
0.05
0.06
Time (sec)
C
u
m
u
l
a
t
i
v
e

L
o
s
s

(
m
3
)


Exponential Deformation
Linear Deformation
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
0
0.002
0.004
0.006
0.008
0.01
0.012
0.014
0.016
0.018
0.02
Time (sec)
L
o
s
s

R
a
t
e

(
m
3
/
s
e
c
)


Exponential Deformation
Linear Deformation
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
3
x 10
7
10
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
2.6
2.7
2.8
2.9
Fracture Radius (m)
P
r
e
s
s
u
r
e

(
P
a
)

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
0
0.002
0.004
0.006
0.008
0.01
0.012
Time (sec)
C
u
m
u
l
a
t
i
v
e

L
o
s
s

(
m
3
)


Exponential Deformation
Linear Deformation
t=20 sec
t=8 sec
t=2 sec
t=0.5
Fracture Ballooning
Fracture Breathing
Exponential Deformation
Linear Deformation