CFD-DEM Simulation Analysis of the Effect of Sweep Stages on Proppant Placement within Rough Fracture

Xianzhi Song, Zhichao Yang, Mengmeng Zhou, Zhengming Xu, Qianqian Zhou, Hamid Ait Abderrahmane, Bin Wang, Yong Zheng

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

    Abstract

    Hydraulic fracturing is a conventional measure to enhance recovery. Proppant transportation as a critical technology of hydraulic fracturing can maintain the effect of production enhancement. A validated Computational Fluid Dynamics - Discrete Element Method (CFD-DEM) method is used in this paper to study the generation condition of blocky dune and the impact of proppant placement in rough fractures during the sweep stages. The results indicate that medium-sized aperture proppants have more possibility of generating blocky dune. These blocky dunes possess distinctive properties that can lead to complications, such as the plugging of fractures. Intriguingly, this phenomenon is unique to proppant transport within rough fractures. Contrary to initial predictions, concentration, and injection velocity exert minimal influence on the genesis of blocky dunes. Dunes formed at lower injection velocities should be subjected to water scouring at higher velocities. Additionally, a critical velocity threshold, determined by the fracture's characteristics, exists for the injection velocity during the sweep stage. If the velocity dips below this critical threshold, the sweep stages lose their effectiveness. This investigation elucidates the generative conditions of blocky dunes and their properties about rough fractures during sweep stages, offering valuable insights for the optimization of proppant placement strategies in practical engineering scenarios.

    Original languageBritish English
    Title of host publicationSociety of Petroleum Engineers - GOTECH Conference 2024
    ISBN (Electronic)9781959025405
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 2024
    Event2024 SPE Gas and Oil Technology Conference, GOTECH 2024 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
    Duration: 7 May 20249 May 2024

    Publication series

    NameSociety of Petroleum Engineers - GOTECH Conference 2024

    Conference

    Conference2024 SPE Gas and Oil Technology Conference, GOTECH 2024
    Country/TerritoryUnited Arab Emirates
    CityDubai
    Period7/05/249/05/24

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