Improved Fracturing Techniques Increase Productivity in the AWP (Olmos) Field

Abstract

Early fracture treatments in the AWP (Olmos) field utilized over 1,000,000 lbs. of 20/40 mesh Ottawa sand. While production results were good, mechanical problems and economic factors necessitated alternative treatments. Smaller volume schedules were tried, but the resulting production lagged the larger jobs. Recently, treatments designed with resin coated sand (RCS) improved well performance. The stronger RCS maintains better conductivity at lower proppant concentrations with resultant good production response at a lower total cost. As an additional benefit, the curable RCS bonds together to eliminate proppant flowback.

Review and Perspectives of Coated Proppant Technology

“…Curable resin-coated proppant particles bond to each other in the formation to prevent proppant flowback. ,− Fiber materials can increase the mechanical strength of the proppant pack, making the proppant tensile even under low closing stress. The mechanical strength of the proppant pack is mainly affected by the length of the fibers. , It is also possible to combine the advantages of curable resin-coated proppant with fiber element (FE); two-component materials can improve the stability of the proppant pack and achieve high efficiency in preventing proppant flowback …”

A Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube-Based Polyurethane Nanocomposite-Coated Sand/Proppant for Improved Mechanical Strength and Flowback Control in Hydraulic Fracturing Applications

“…In the 1980s, Pope et al introduced the curable resin-coated proppant (RCP) to the oil industry for the first time. 23 Peard et al 24 and Terracina et al 25 had used various types of resins to coat the proppants, including epoxy resin, phenolic resin, furfural resin, and furfuralcohol resin. They pointed out that choosing a suitable resin for different conditions will prepare a successful RCP to prevent proppant flowback.…”