Simulations of the effects of proppant placement on the conductivity and mechanical stability of hydraulic fractures

Bolintineanu, Dan S.; Rao, Rekha R.; Lechman, Jeremy B.; Romero, Joseph A.; Jove-Colon, Carlos F.; Quintana, Enrico C.; Bauer, Stephen J.; Ingraham, Mathew Duffy

doi:10.1016/j.ijrmms.2017.10.014

Simulations of the effects of proppant placement on the conductivity and mechanical stability of hydraulic fractures

Journal Article · Sun Nov 05 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2017.10.014· OSTI ID:1421854

Bolintineanu, Dan S. ^[1]; Rao, Rekha R. ^[1]; Lechman, Jeremy B. ^[1]; Romero, Joseph A. ^[1]; Jove-Colon, Carlos F. ^[1]; Quintana, Enrico C. ^[1]; Bauer, Stephen J. ^[1]; Ingraham, Mathew Duffy ^[1]

Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Here, we generate a wide range of models of proppant-packed fractures using discrete element simulations, and measure fracture conductivity using finite element flow simulations. This allows for a controlled computational study of proppant structure and its relationship to fracture conductivity and stress in the proppant pack. For homogeneous multi-layered packings, we observe the expected increase in fracture conductivity with increasing fracture aperture, while the stress on the proppant pack remains nearly constant. This is consistent with the expected behavior in conventional proppant-packed fractures, but the present work offers a novel quantitative analysis with an explicit geometric representation of the proppant particles. In single-layered packings (i.e. proppant monolayers), there is a drastic increase in fracture conductivity as the proppant volume fraction decreases and open flow channels form. However, this also corresponds to a sharp increase in the mechanical stress on the proppant pack, as measured by the maximum normal stress relative to the side crushing strength of typical proppant particles. We also generate a variety of computational geometries that resemble highly heterogeneous proppant packings hypothesized to form during channel fracturing. In some cases, these heterogeneous packings show drastic improvements in conductivity with only moderate increase in the stress on the proppant particles, suggesting that in certain applications these structures are indeed optimal. We also compare our computer-generated structures to micro computed tomography imaging of a manually fractured laboratory-scale shale specimen, and find reasonable agreement in the geometric characteristics.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

Grant/Contract Number:: AC04-94AL85000

OSTI ID:: 1421854

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1549440

Report Number(s):: SAND--2016-10770J; 648593

Journal Information:: International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Journal Name: International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences Journal Issue: C Vol. 100; ISSN 1365-1609

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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