Laboratory Measurement of Microproppant Placement Quality using Split Core Plug Permeability under Stress

Abstract This paper describes the stress-dependent permeability of split shale core plugs from Eagle Ford, Bakken, and Barnett formation samples studied in presence of microproppants in microcracks. An analytical permeability model is developed, including the interaction between the fracture walls and monolayer microproppants under stress. The model is then used to analyze a series of pressure pulse decay measurements of the propped shale samples in the laboratory. The analysis provides the propped fracture permeability of the samples and predicts a parameter related to the quality of the proppant areal distribution in the fracture. The proppant placement quality can be used as a measure of success of the delivery of proppants into the fractures and to design stimulation in the laboratory.

Laboratory Measurement of Microproppant Placement Quality using Split Core Plug Permeability under Stress Conference Paper