Simulation of proppant flowback from hydraulic fractures

Abstract

Hydraulic fracturing has become one of the main and most effective methods of intensifying oil production. A method of bench-scale study with the use of modern measuring equipment, automation of experimental variable measurements according to specified algorithms ensuring high-level works was developed in order to obtain reliable data on proppant migration in a fracture. The laboratory facility makes it possible to determine the speed of proppant flowback from a fracture, proppant permeability depending on layer elevation. The tests show the nature of permeability change as the pressure increases. The conditions under which the height of a filling layer varies depending on pressure were identified. The test bench greatly facilitates and accelerates the experiments. The use of modern information and measurement systems makes it possible to significantly increase the volume of received information and improve its quality. The use of experimental results obtained through hydraulic fracturing will allow for additional increase in hydrocarbon production.