Calculation of the Reduced Well Pattern Density Taking Into Account Man-Made Fractures in Injection Wells

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Abstract

Engineering methodologies for waterflooding design typically assume a constant flow geometry using the classical definition of sweep efficiency. In practice, however, extended man-made fractures often form in injection wells, radically altering the flow distribution and potentially leading to early water breakthrough, localized pressure redistribution, and a reduction in the actual sweep efficiency. This paper proposes a methodology that takes into account two interrelated correction factors when calculating well pattern density: 1) a geometric multiplier modeling the equivalent contribution of an extended man-made fracture from an injection well to the total area covered by the impact; 2) a reduction factor to the baseline sweep efficiency, dependent on the fracture half-length, its orientation relative to the production wells, and the dimensionless fracture conductivity. The methodology formalizes the influence of fracture orientation: for fractures oriented toward producing wells, the model shows reduced coverage and accelerated water cuts. For fractures oriented at 90° to producing wells, localized improvements in coverage are possible due to more uniform displacement. The proposed methodology allows for the accurate consideration of well pattern density, and therefore, for the correct planning of the development system at the initial design stage.

Keywords

well pattern densitywaterfloodingauto-fracturingman-made fracturedisplacement sweep efficiencywater flooding of production wellsoil recovery factororientation of man-made fracturesfracture conductivity

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Article information

Published
14 May 2026
Issue date
14 May 2026
Issue
Vol. 26, No. 2 (2026)
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