Abstract
Proppant embedment is a serious issue that reduces fracture width and conductivity. The paper presents the results of experiments on embedment phenomena on a shale rock from the region of the Baltic Basin, which is regarded as an unconventional gas deposit. A novel laboratory imaging procedure was implemented to the proppant embedment visualization. The tests were performed for conditions corresponding to the average reservoir conditions occurring in the studied deposit formation. The parameters characterizing damage of the surface of the fracture faces by the grains of proppant material, after the application of axial compressive stress to two shale core samples with proppant placed in between, are presented. The tests were carried out for rock samples pre-saturated with fracturing fluid. The obtained results of relatively low total effective penetration depth of proppant grains into the walls of the fracture (0.293 mm), and high effective width of fracture with proppant material after hydraulic fracturing (87.9%), indicate the proper selection of proppant and fracturing fluid for the properties of the rock and the reservoir conditions. The results of the experiments present a range of embedment parameters, that have not been widely described before. The test procedure presented in the article is a good method for assessing the vulnerability of a deposit rock to embedment phenomenon.
Highlights
Hydrocarbons exploitation from unconventional deposits, including shale gas and tight-gas sandstone is carried out by vertical, directional, horizontal and multi-bottom drilling
In our research work we focus on a shale formation from the region of the Baltic Basin (Poland) which is regarded as an unconventional gas deposit
The performed tests were carried out for rock samples presaturated with fracturing fluid
Summary
Hydrocarbons exploitation from unconventional deposits, including shale gas and tight-gas sandstone is carried out by vertical, directional, horizontal and multi-bottom drilling. To conduct effective hydrocarbon extraction from these types of deposits, it is necessary to perform hydraulic fracturing operations. This is to release the hydrocarbons enclosed in them and extract them from the outermost part of the deposit. It should be noted here that unconventional deposits are characterized by low permeability and low porosity of the host rock. It is important to properly choose the hydraulic fracturing technology, which is designed to
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