The roles of capillary pressure, wettability and relative permeability in controlling load water recovery following hydraulic fracturing treatments have been examined. It has been found in laboratory studies that the judicious alteration of wettability to control capillary pressure and/or relative permeability can promote a rapid thorough cleanup of injected water. Field applications of these concepts in Appalachia have resulted in enhanced load water recoveries and higher production.

Keywords:
load recovery, production increase, experiment, hydraulic fracturing, capillary pressure, permeability, oil well, relative permeability, gas well, appalachian area
Subjects:
Hydraulic Fracturing, Reservoir Fluid Dynamics, Improved and Enhanced Recovery, Formation Evaluation & Management, Flow in porous media
Copyright 1983, Society of Petroleum Engineers of AIME
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