Abstract
The production in organic-rich shale reservoirs typically decline very rapidly as a result of decay in fracture conductivity. Proppant embedment into fracture walls results in reduction in the width of the proppant pack impacting the fracture conductivity. Spalling can take place as small particles break off, lowering the proppant pack permeability and porosity. The results of these two damage mechanisms have been investigated experimentally in this chapter for Niobrara and Vaca Muerta shale core samples using simultaneous measurements of compressional and shear wave velocities, conductivity, geomechanical properties, and geochemical composition changes during core flow experiments under triaxial stress state initially measuring intact sample properties, then using Brazilian tests to fracture the samples, place proppants in the fractures, and measure the variation of fracture conductivity. Niobrara samples presented about 20%–25% Young's modulus decrease when 2% KCl was used, whereas Vaca Muerta samples' Young's modulus reduction with the same fluid was 5%, yet conductivity reduction was larger than Niobrara. This variation was attributed to local mineralogical changes in the samples and the choice of higher strength calcite-filled fracture location in Niobrara sample.
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