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A Model to Calculate Fracture Conductivity Considering Proppant Transport and Embedment Depth

  • INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES OF OIL AND GAS
  • Published:
Chemistry and Technology of Fuels and Oils Aims and scope

The accuracy of predicting fracture conductivity is very important in hydraulic fracturing. However, most models pay more attention to the solution of fracture conductivity value, without considering the distribution of the fracture conductivity. It is also important to couple the proppant embedment depth and fracture conductivity, especially for the coal bed and shale formations with strong plasticity. In this paper, analytical models were derived to compute fracture conductivity considering the proppant transport and embedment. The proppant transport model is coupled with the fracture propagation model, which describes the distribution of fracture conductivity. The calculation of proppant embedment depth considering the rock plasticity is derived from the underground stress equilibrium, which provides a calculation basis of the propped fracture width. The proppant-pack permeability is calculated based on the Carman-Kozeny formula. Finally, fracture conductivity is defined as the product of fracture width and permeability. Based on the comparison with the previously established models, the proposed model is employed for sensitivity studies of parameters influencing the fracture conductivity. The effects of closure pressure, proppant size, rock plasticity, fluid viscosity, proppant concentration, and proppant carrying liquid volume on fracture conductivity are analyzed. Analysis results contribute to a better understanding of the effects of related factors on fracture conductivity. The new and more accurate model for calculating the fracture conductivity considering proppant transport and embedment is of great significance for fracturing design and helps to achieve high fracture conductivity and high oil and gas production in conventional and unconventional reservoirs.

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Acknowledgment

The project is supported by the Sichuan Science and Technology Program (Number 2019YFG0529 and Number 2018JY0215).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, 610500, China

    Zhao-zhong Yang, Zi-jia Liao, Xiao-gang Li, Liang-ping Yi, Hao Chen & Longhai Ran

Authors
  1. Zhao-zhong Yang
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  2. Zi-jia Liao
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  3. Xiao-gang Li
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  4. Liang-ping Yi
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  5. Hao Chen
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  6. Longhai Ran
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Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Zi-jia Liao or Liang-ping Yi.

Additional information

Translated from Khimiya i Tekhnologiya Topliv i Masel, No. 3, pp. 62–70, May–June, 2021.

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Yang, Zz., Liao, Zj., Li, Xg. et al. A Model to Calculate Fracture Conductivity Considering Proppant Transport and Embedment Depth. Chem Technol Fuels Oils 57, 499–517 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10553-021-01273-4

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