Simulation of Fracture Conductivity Changes Due to Proppant Composition and Stress Cycles

Abstract

Properties of proppant affect hydraulic fracturing design results. The one of the most important goals of stimulation is to obtain fracture with high and viable conductivity. Bulk density and the grains size are factors that the most influence fracture conductivity. Regarding proppant, the common point of view is, that only mesh size and type of proppant (bulk density, crush rate) have influence on hydraulic fracturing efficiency. Paper presents computer simulation results of conductivity reduction caused by stress changes. Calculations were done for the same proppant type and size but with different grain compositions. It shows influence of average diameter of proppant grains and bulk density variation on fracture conductivity. It was found that the most important factor is number of stress cycles. Higher stress cycle number results in significant fracture conductivity reduction.