Production EngineeringHydraulic Fracturing
Fracture Volume - Perkins and Kern Method Formula
Fracture Volume - Perkins and Kern Method calculates fracture volume for hydraulic fracturing workflows in production engineering.
How engineers use this formula
Use this formula when the listed inputs (H, nu, mu, Q, E, L) are known and the assumptions behind the cited hydraulic fracturing 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, V_f equals 459.930878 ft^3.
Hft
70
nudimensionless
0.25
mucP
45
Qbbl/min
18
Epsi
3500000
Lft
320
Inputs
H
ftFracture Height
nu
dimensionlessPoisson Ratio
mu
cPFracturing Fluid Viscosity
Q
bbl/minFracturing Fluid Flow Rate
E
psiYoung's Modulus
L
ftFracture Length
Outputs
V_f
ft^3
Fracture Volume
H
ft
Fracture Height
Q
bbl/min
Fracturing Fluid Flow Rate
Source and review
reviewedDaneshy, A. 2013. Fundamentals of Hydraulic Fracturing. Daneshy Consultants International, Page 57.
Source