Conductivity Maintenance: Long-Term Results from the Use of Conductivity 
Enhancement Material

Lehman, Lyle; Shelley, Bob; Crumrine, Tim; Gusdorf, Matthew; Tiffin, Judy

doi:10.2523/82241-ms

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…During utilization of coated proppant, it was observed that fracture conductivity has increased that may be due to eliminating of fine production from the proppant and reduction of proppant flowback. The coated proppant also resists packing and settling, resulting in increased pack porosity and permeability (Lehman et al, 2003). When a proppant is coated with a suitable polymer, much more uniform and stable interface will be created between coated proppant and formation materials during utilization of coated proppant for stimulating of subterranean formation (Coulter and Wells, 1972).…”

Section: Fracture Conductivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of polymers for coating of proppant in hydraulic fracturing of subterraneous formations: A comprehensive review

Zoveidavianpoor

Gharibi

2015

Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering

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Section: Fracture Conductivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of polymers for coating of proppant in hydraulic fracturing of subterraneous formations: A comprehensive review

Zoveidavianpoor

Gharibi

2015

Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering

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“…The presence of connate water can enable diagenetic reactions to occur. Lehman et al (2003) reported that the use of SMA to coat proppants used in propping hydraulic fractures resulted in sustained and more uniform production from wells. Fig.…”

Section: Fines Migrationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevention of Geochemical Scaling in Hydraulically Created Fractures: Laboratory and Field Studies

Nguyen

Weaver

Rickman

2008

SPE Eastern Regional/Aapg Eastern Section Joint Meeting

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Fracture conductivity values observed by well testing following hydraulic fracture stimulation treatments are often much lower than the values obtained by laboratory measurements for most proppants. In addition, many stimulated wells show loss of fracture conductivity with time, leading to reduced productivity and lost revenue.This rapid loss in fracture conductivity has been attributed to frac gel damage, embedment, proppant crushing, and fines invasion. All these damage mechanisms have been well studied in the laboratory, resulting in materials and methods employed to minimize their effect on conductivity. While these methods have improved productivity, stimulated wells rarely achieve the theoretical conductivity expected from a given proppant. In addition, fracture conductivity often declines continuously, suggesting that there are other factors that influence long-term fracture conductivity.Recently it was suggested that a freshly placed proppant bed in a hot formation could undergo a geochemical process called diagenesis. This process involves the dissolution of some proppant minerals and subsequent reaction with minerals that are present in connate formation water. These subsequent reactions lead to the formation of many clays and clay-like crystals in addition to amorphous, porosity-filling materials that progressively damage the conductivity of propped fractures. This paper presents (1) results of a laboratory study aimed at quantifying this damage mechanism, (2) the development of multiple strategies to minimize this damage mechanism, and (3) field case studies analyzing production data to support two of these laboratory-indicated strategies.Findings reported in this paper should have a significant impact on how proppants are selected for various fracturing applications. To achieve maximum fracture conductivity and sustained production, it is no longer acceptable to simply select the proppants, based on API conductivity, cost, and availability, but planners must also consider (1) potential in situ reactions that may shorten proppant life or (2) proppant treatments that can be applied to minimize the impact of these reactions. Conductivity Damage MechanismsFracture Conductivity. A fracture generated during a hydraulic-fracturing treatment is a fluid conduit and has conductivity. This conductivity is responsible for the difference in the pre-and post-fracturing well productivity. In practice, the geometry of a hydraulically generated fracture is not known exactly; therefore, the actual fracture conductivity cannot be calculated directly. Pressure transient analysis of post-frac pressure buildup data can be used to estimate fracture dimensions and conductivity (Cikes 2000). Cikes used this method to demonstrate that fracture conductivity decreased dramatically in hightemperature wells that were propped with high-strength proppants. He suggested that there must be some unknown damage mechanism causing the dramatic conductivity decline even in the wells that were not on production.Proppant Pack. The hydraulic...

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“…In actuality, lower fracture conductivities can and do reduce both initial production rates and ultimate recoveries. The need for maximum conductivity was evidenced by Lehman et al (2003). Further, the effects of conductivity reductions and the need for maximizing fracture conductivity was presented in a Gas Research Insitute (now officially named "Gas Technology Institute") Report authored by Peterson et al ( 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lower Quality Natural Quartz Proppants Result in Significant Conductivity Loss and Reduction in Ultimate Recovery: A Case History

Syfan¹,

Anderson²

2011

SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition

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Progress in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing techniques allow the oil and gas industry to get the most out of ultra tight, naturally fractured formations and unconventional reservoirs. The increasing price differential between crude oil and natural gas is resulting in unprecedented activity in the Bakken, Eagle Ford, Niobrara, and other oil rich shales. The industry is actively building drilling rigs and the fracturing companies are adding equipment and crews at an escalating rate to keep up with the market growth.These events have placed demands on hydraulic fracturing consumables as never before. Proppant shortages are expected to worsen before additional capacity can begin to offer some relief. Consequently, more and more operating companies are pumping lower quality Natural Quartz Proppant (NQP) in deeper, hotter, and higher closure stress environments, some of which exceed conventional design limits. All this in an effort to maintain completion intervals which are comparable to the accelerated drilling programs.Recent proppant testing indicates significant conductivity reductions over time as it relates to proppants with lower crush strengths when compared to the higher strength Northern Whites. These conductivity variations were identified using a Discrete Fracture Network (DFN) fracture simulation model which indicated substantial reductions in ultimate recovery and productivity over time. The conductivity and modeling results were compared to actual post-fracture analysis data in the Marcellus Shale. This comparison further substantiated the test results.This paper challenges the industry concept that pumping lower quality crush resistant proppants in a shale reservoir will not result in productivity losses. The findings presented in this paper clearly show that creating and retaining fracture conductivity is a prerequisite to achieving high initial productivity, ultimate recovery, and maximizing project economics.

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Conductivity Maintenance: Long-Term Results from the Use of Conductivity Enhancement Material

Cited by 7 publications

References 0 publications

Application of polymers for coating of proppant in hydraulic fracturing of subterraneous formations: A comprehensive review

Application of polymers for coating of proppant in hydraulic fracturing of subterraneous formations: A comprehensive review

Prevention of Geochemical Scaling in Hydraulically Created Fractures: Laboratory and Field Studies

Lower Quality Natural Quartz Proppants Result in Significant Conductivity Loss and Reduction in Ultimate Recovery: A Case History

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