Effect of Fracture Roughness, Shear Displacement, Fluid Type, and Proppant on the Conductivity of a Single Fracture: A Visual and Quantitative Analysis

Raimbay A., Babadagli T., Kuru E., Develi K.

SPE RESERVOIR EVALUATION & ENGINEERING, vol.20, no.2, pp.446-470, 2017 (Journal Indexed in SCI) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 20 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2017
  • Doi Number: 10.2118/171577-pa
  • Title of Journal : SPE RESERVOIR EVALUATION & ENGINEERING
  • Page Numbers: pp.446-470

Abstract

Proppants are one of the essential parameters in fracturing design. They not only provide fracture conductivity but also prevent "healing" of fractures. Hence, the quantification of proppant-transport characteristics is highly critical in a sustainable production from hydraulically fractured wells. Previous attempts in this regard were limited to smooth (parallel) fracture surfaces to a great extent, but the roughness of fractures may control the conductivity of hydraulic fractures in the presence of proppants.