Effect of Proppant Size and Surface Characteristics on the Critical Velocity Required for the Effective Transport of Proppants in Hydraulic Fracturing of Horizontal Wells

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Proppant transport efficiency is a critical aspect of hydraulic fracturing operations. Proppants must be properlyplaced to hold fractures open and enable increased hydrocarbon production. Proppants most widely used byindustry are high density particles like sand and ceramics. These particles settle down in water-based fluids andtheir placement to fractures becomes a task that requires high intensity pumping power and large amount ofwater-based fluids to ensure these heavy particles travel to specified zones in the reservoir. Although chemistryis used to viscosify fracking fluids to facilitate transport of particles, the use of chemicals is not desirable.Slickwater (non-viscosified fluid) contains a minimum amount of chemicals and is one of the preferred optionsfor hydraulic fracturing operations but difficulties are encountered in achieving efficient proppant transport dueto proppant settling in these fluids. An improved understanding of the drivers behind proppant transport (i.e.near wall turbulence, fluid rheological properties, proppant size, density, and surface characteristics, etc.) basedon the results from this project, will be useful for designing optimum fracturing operations which ensuresproper placement of proppants by avoiding premature settling and screening of proppants. This will helpdeveloping new, more reliable proppant surface modification products, resulting in more efficient and securefrac job designs for improved reservoir production. Canada's Oil and gas industry's capacity to conduct moreefficient and economical hydraulic fracturing jobs will benefit tremendously from this proposed study. Thebenefits in improved proppant transport will potentially lead to reduction of water and energy consumption inthe operations. In addition, improved slick-water fracturing jobs will result in use of less chemistry in thehydraulic fracturing market with positive environmental advantages for Canada.