Production EngineeringHydraulic Fracturing
Sand Weight to Refill Hydraulically Fractured Reservoir Volume Formula
Sand Weight to Refill Hydraulically Fractured Reservoir Volume calculates sand weight required per unit fracture area for hydraulic fracturing workflows in production engineering.
How engineers use this formula
Use this formula when the listed inputs (V, phi, rho_sand) 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, S equals 2.64 lb/ft^2.
Vft^3/ft^2
0.02
phifraction
0.2
rho_sandlb/ft^3
165
Inputs
V
ft^3/ft^2Fracture Volume per Unit Area
phi
fractionPorosity
rho_sand
lb/ft^3Sand Density
Outputs
S
lb/ft^2
Sand Weight Required per Unit Fracture Area
V
ft^3/ft^2
Fracture Volume per Unit Area
phi
fraction
Porosity
rho_sand
lb/ft^3
Sand Density
Source and review
reviewedSaydam, T. 1967. Principles of Hydraulic Fracturing. ARI Publishing Co., Page 98.
Source