Comparison of the fracture conductivity of commercially available and experimental proppants at intermediate and high closure stresses

Conference · Tue Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1983 · Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5203849

Cutler, R A; Carroll, H B; Enniss, D O; Jones, A H

A laboratory comparison of fracture conductivity versus closure stress was performed on eight commercially available and four experimental prototype proppant materials. Ottawa sand and bauxite, both widely accepted and applied proppants, were included in the study as performance standards. Consistent sample preparation, test, and data reduction procedures were practiced and allow a relative comparison of the conductivity of various proppants at intermediate and high stresses. Specific gravity, corrosion resistance and crush resistance of each proppant were also determined. Proppant materials were supplied by major domestic and international proppant manufacturers. All were carefully screened and sized to obtain nearly identical -20,+40 mesh size distributions. Fracture conductivity was measured to a laminar flow of deaerated, deionized water over a closure stress range of 6.9 MPa (1,000 psi) to 96.5 MPa (14,000 psi) in 6.9 MPa (1,000 psi) increments. Testing was performed at a constant 50/sup 0/C (122/sup 0/F) temperature. Results of the testing are compared with values from the literature and analyzed to determine proppant acceptability in the intermediate and high closure stress regions. Recommendations are made for proppants that will perform acceptably at low, intermediate and high closure stresses.

• Research Organization: Terra Tek Inc.
• OSTI ID: 5203849
• Report Number(s): CONF-830305-
• Journal Information: Soc. Pet. Eng. AIME, Pap.; (United States), Vol. SPE/DOE 11634; Conference: SPE symposium on low permeability, Denver, CO, USA, 14 Mar 1983
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
PROPPING AGENTS
FRACTURE PROPERTIES
MATERIALS TESTING
BAUXITE
BENCH-SCALE EXPERIMENTS
CORROSION RESISTANCE
DENSITY
HYDRAULIC CONDUCTIVITY
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
SAND
STRESS ANALYSIS
ALUMINIUM ORES
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
ORES
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
TESTING
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production