An Alternative View of Filter-Cake Formation in Fractures Inspired by Cr(III)-Acetate-HPAM Gel Extrusion

Summary A new model was developed to describe water leakoff from formed Cr(III)-acetate-HPAM gels during extrusion through fractures. This model is fundamentally different from the conventional filter-cake model used during hydraulic fracturing. Even so, it accurately predicted leakoff during extrusion of a guar-borate gel. Thus, the new model may be of interest in hydraulic fracturing. Contrary to the conventional one, the new model correctly predicted the occurrence of wormholes and stable pressure gradients during gel extrusion through fractures.