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<p>Selecting the appropriate proppant type is vital for successful hydraulic fracturing operations. Several factors influence proppant selection, including size, shape, density, durability, ability to maintain conductivity under high temperatures and closure stresses, and compatibility with reservoir fluids. This study evaluates the fracture conductivity performance of 40/70 sand, resin-coated sand (RCS), ceramic proppant, and 100-mesh sand using laboratory conductivity measurements. It also compares two practical approaches for improving sand conductivity: resin coating and blending with 25&#xa0;wt% 40/70 ceramic proppant. The study examines conductivity impairment mechanisms, including proppant crushing, fines generation, and proppant embedment. By comparing conductivity tests conducted with steel platens and sandstone slabs, conductivity losses associated with proppant pack degradation were separated from those caused by fracture face embedment. Short- and long-term conductivity tests were also used to evaluate conductivity retention of 40/70 ceramic proppant under sustained closure stress. Results showed that blending 40/70 sand with 25&#xa0;wt% ceramic proppant improved conductivity by 1.34–2.10&#xa0;times compared with pure 40/70 sand, with the greatest improvement at 3000&#xa0;psi closure stress. A similar blend with 100-mesh sand improved conductivity by 1.55–3.13&#xa0;times. Crush resistance testing revealed the poor-quality of 40/70 sand, which produced 46.8% crushed material at 10,000&#xa0;psi, whereas 40/70 RCS produced only 4.7%. Minor differences were observed between short- and long-term conductivity of 40/70 ceramic proppant up to 6000&#xa0;psi. At higher stresses, short-term conductivity was 15% higher at 8000&#xa0;psi and 55% higher at 9000 psi. Conductivity reduction due to embedment reached approximately 79% and 77% at 8000 and 9000&#xa0;psi, respectively.</p>

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Performance Optimization of Proppant Mixtures: Insights into Fracture Conductivity

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月10日

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  • Vahid Ramazanov,
  • Sulaiman A. Alarifi,
  • Murtada Saleh Aljawad,
  • Talal Al Shafloot

摘要

Selecting the appropriate proppant type is vital for successful hydraulic fracturing operations. Several factors influence proppant selection, including size, shape, density, durability, ability to maintain conductivity under high temperatures and closure stresses, and compatibility with reservoir fluids. This study evaluates the fracture conductivity performance of 40/70 sand, resin-coated sand (RCS), ceramic proppant, and 100-mesh sand using laboratory conductivity measurements. It also compares two practical approaches for improving sand conductivity: resin coating and blending with 25 wt% 40/70 ceramic proppant. The study examines conductivity impairment mechanisms, including proppant crushing, fines generation, and proppant embedment. By comparing conductivity tests conducted with steel platens and sandstone slabs, conductivity losses associated with proppant pack degradation were separated from those caused by fracture face embedment. Short- and long-term conductivity tests were also used to evaluate conductivity retention of 40/70 ceramic proppant under sustained closure stress. Results showed that blending 40/70 sand with 25 wt% ceramic proppant improved conductivity by 1.34–2.10 times compared with pure 40/70 sand, with the greatest improvement at 3000 psi closure stress. A similar blend with 100-mesh sand improved conductivity by 1.55–3.13 times. Crush resistance testing revealed the poor-quality of 40/70 sand, which produced 46.8% crushed material at 10,000 psi, whereas 40/70 RCS produced only 4.7%. Minor differences were observed between short- and long-term conductivity of 40/70 ceramic proppant up to 6000 psi. At higher stresses, short-term conductivity was 15% higher at 8000 psi and 55% higher at 9000 psi. Conductivity reduction due to embedment reached approximately 79% and 77% at 8000 and 9000 psi, respectively.