Patent attributes
A method for determining surface area of a created hydraulic fracture that originated from a wellbore. Pressure in the wellbore is monitored after creation and extension of the created hydraulic fracture. Injection rate of an injection fluid to the created hydraulic fracture is regulated. This is done to maintain a constant pressure for a continuous period of time. The injection rate is regulated such that the created hydraulic fracture maintains its current dimensions and the injection rate of the injection fluid into the created hydraulic fracture equals the total fluid leak-off rate from the created hydraulic fracture. The constant fracture pressure is larger than a formation pore pressure and smaller than a fracture propagation pressure. Finally, a numerical simulation is performed to obtain the relationship between the total fluid leak-off rate and the surface area of the created hydraulic fracture.
