Effect of proppant failure and fines migration on conductivity of propped fractures
- John L. Gidley and Associates, Inc., Houston, TX (United States)
- Stim-Lab. Inc., Duncan, OK (United States)
Long-term conductivity testing at realistic environmental conditions has greatly improved the measurement of proppant pack permeability. However, the use of low flow rates to insure Darcy flow in such measurements has masked the total effect of failed proppant fines on proppant pack permeability. As flow rates increase, corresponding with those commonly found in the field, fines are mobilized and migrate into new positions that reduce the permeability of the proppant pack beyond that normally observed in conductivity measurements. This effect has generally been overlooked in proppant pack design. This paper examines the extent of conductivity reduction caused by migrating proppant fines and the effect of proppant type on the extent of that reduction. The role of fines migration on the conductivity of proppant packs containing two different types of proppants, where the more capable proppant is used near the wellbore, is also evaluated. Representative commercially available proppants, including sand, resin-coated sand, and low density ceramics are included in the study.
- OSTI ID:
- 6627490
- Journal Information:
- SPE Production and Facilities (Society of Petroleum Engineers); (United States), Vol. 10:1; ISSN 1064-668X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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03 NATURAL GAS
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
FORMATION DAMAGE
PERFORMANCE
PROPPING AGENTS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
OIL WELLS
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PERMEABILITY
WELL STIMULATION
FRACTURING
STIMULATION
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
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