Determination of hydraulic fracturing pressure during drilling by an analytical method

As well depth increases during drilling, the likelihood of various complications rises. These complications include drilling fluid loss, gas-oil-water influxes, wellbore stability issues, and pipe sticking. If appropriate preventive and corrective measures are not implemented, many of these complications may escalate into accidents. One such complication arising during well drilling is hydraulic fracturing of the formation. Hydraulic fracturing pressure is the pressure at which the integrity of the rock in the wellbore walls is compromised, leading to the formation of artificial fractures. Hydraulic fracturing during drilling is highly undesirable, as it results in the loss of drilling fluid into the surrounding formation. Hydraulic fracturing pressure depends on formation pressure, the natural fracturing of the rock, pore pressure, and the permeability of the rock and the fracturing fluid. As well depth increases, hydraulic fracturing pressure also increases and approaches formation pressure. Accurate determination of hydraulic fracturing pressure is therefore essential. The proposed method for determining a formation’s hydraulic fracturing pressure is economically advantageous. This research paper presents a method for determining hydraulic fracturing pressure based on the energy condition of destruction, taking into account the mechanical properties of the rock and formation pressure.