Study on Factors of the Fracture Width in Tight Sandstone

Based on the material balance principle, the fluid mechanics theory, the theory of elastic mechanics, and the fracture mechanics theory, the authors have established a model of a quasi three-dimensional crack extension of the artificial interlayer fracture, combined with the boundary conditions and the initial conditions. Based on the analysis and the solution of the established quasi three dimensional crack extension model, the simultaneous equation of continuity, the pressure drop equation, the equation of the crack width, and the equation of the fracture height are obtained. The analysis results show that the fracture height decreases with the increase in the sand content. When the proppant sinks to the bottom of the fracture, the artificial plugging section is formed. The fracture height decreases with the increase in the buoyancy agent content in the reservoir. With increase in the displacement, the fracture length tends to increase. With increase in the Poisson's ratio, the fracture length decreases.