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Geomechanics and FracturingNaturally Fractured Reservoirs

Fracture Permeability from Hydraulic Aperture Cubic Law Formula

kf=bh212k_f=\frac{b_h^2}{12}

Fracture Permeability from Hydraulic Aperture Cubic Law calculates single-fracture permeability for naturally fractured reservoirs workflows in geomechanics and fracturing.

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How engineers use this formula

Use this formula when the listed inputs (b_h_mm) are known and the assumptions behind the cited naturally fractured reservoirs relationship match the engineering case being checked.

Assumptions

  • Input values are representative for the well, reservoir, fluid, or equipment case being evaluated.
  • The declared units match the field-unit constants used in the formula.
  • The cited formula applies to the selected petroleum engineering workflow.

Limitations

  • The calculation does not replace a full engineering model or operating procedure.
  • Accuracy depends on the source correlation, assumptions, input quality, and unit consistency.

Common mistakes

  • Mixing unit systems without converting the inputs.
  • Using default example values as field recommendations.
  • Applying the formula outside the source assumptions.

Default example

Using the default inputs, k_f_mD equals 844,374.971523 mD.

b_h_mmmm

0.1

Inputs

b_h_mm

mm

Hydraulic Fracture Aperture

Outputs

k_f_mD

mD

Single-Fracture Permeability

b_h_mm

mm

Hydraulic Fracture Aperture

Source and review

reviewed

CubicLawPermeability, OpenGeoSys

OpenGeoSys documentation. CubicLawPermeability property.

Source

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