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Model of Effective Width and Fracture Conductivity for Hydraulic Fractures in Tight Reservoirs

  • Research Article-Petroleum Engineering
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Abstract

Hydraulic fracturing technology is widely used in the development of tight reservoirs. Hydraulic fracture closure highly impacts oil and gas production in tight reservoirs, and a quantitative description of the effective width and fracture conductivity has a guiding significance for fracturing design and productivity prediction. In this paper, based on the mechanical characteristics of proppants in hydraulic fracturing, a fracture width model is first established for sandstone and shale reservoirs, and the effect of the closing pressure on the rock mechanics parameters of proppants is considered. Then, by the changes in fracture width and proppant permeability, a fracture conductivity model is built. Finally, the models are verified with existing experimental data, and are applied to analyze the influence of relevant parameters on the effective width and fracture conductivity of hydraulic fractures. Fracture closure is primarily affected by proppant deformation and embedment. An increase in the proppant elastic modulus can reduce proppant deformation and avoid fracture closure. A fracture containing large proppant more readily closes during the production process, and the closing pressure has a considerable effect on the proppant rock mechanical parameters, which can prevent the fracture from closing to maintain its conductivity. In this study, fracture closure and its conductivity are predicted, which is conducive to the production of tight reservoirs.

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Abbreviations

a :

Coefficient

b :

Coefficient

\(\overline{c}_{\text{p}}\) :

Compression coefficient (1/MPa)

C :

Physical quantity (unitless)

E :

Elasticity modulus (MPa)

F :

Conductivity coefficient (μm2 cm)

h :

Depth (mm)

k :

Permeability (mD)

K :

Coefficient (unitless)

p :

Pressure (MPa)

P :

Force (N)

w :

Fracture width (cm)

R :

Radius (mm)

α′:

Variable (mm)

ν :

Poisson’s ratio (unitless)

β :

Deformation value (mm)

ξ :

Coefficient (unitless)

χ :

Coefficient (unitless)

γ :

Coefficient (unitless)

λ :

Coefficient (unitless)

0:

Initial state

1:

Sphere 1

2:

Sphere 2

f:

Fracture

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Funding

This work was supported by the Open Project of State Key Laboratory of Shale Oil and Gas Enrichment Mechanisms and Effective Development (GSYKY-B09-33), Open Foundation of Top Disciplines in Yangtze University, Science and Technology Research Project of Hubei Provincial Department of Education (Q20161311, Q20171301).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Shale Oil and Gas Enrichment Mechanisms and Effective Development, Beijing, 100083, China

    Shan Jiang

  2. College of Earth Science, Yangtze University, Wuhan, 430100, China

    Shan Jiang & Peng Chen

  3. Exploration and Development Research Institute, PetroChina, Huabei Oilfield Company, Changzhou, 062552, Hebei, China

    Min Yan

  4. College of Computer Science, Yangtze University, Jingzhou, 434023, China

    Botao Liu

  5. East China University of Technology, Nanchang, 330013, China

    Hong Liu

  6. Geology Exploration and Development Research Institute, CNPC Chuanqing Drilling Engineering Co., Ltd., Chengdu, 610051, China

    Hao Wang

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  1. Shan Jiang
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  2. Peng Chen
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  3. Min Yan
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  5. Hong Liu
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Correspondence to Peng Chen.

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Jiang, S., Chen, P., Yan, M. et al. Model of Effective Width and Fracture Conductivity for Hydraulic Fractures in Tight Reservoirs. Arab J Sci Eng 45, 7821–7834 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-020-04614-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-020-04614-3

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