A systematic experimental study of acid fracture conductivity
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abstract
The fracture conductivity created in the acid fracturing process is critical to the success of this stimulation method, but is difficult to predict. We have conducted a series of experiments in which core samples were acidized in a cell that allows for linear flow through a vertical fracture with fluid loss through the cores. The fracture conductivity created was then measured as a function of closure stress. We find that increased acid contact time sometimes results in lower fracture conductivity, fluid loss can increase fracture conductivity, and the Nierode-Kruk correlation1 accurately predicts the effects of rock embedment strength and closure stress on acid fracture conductivity. We also observed that high fracture conductivity is created when the acid forms a deep channel in the fracture.