Dual-Size Proppant Packing for Sand Control and Fracture Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for designing dual-particle-size proppants for fracturing and packing in unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs lack specificity, failing to consider geological and production conditions, leading to inadequate sand blocking and conductivity, and are limited by large particle size intervals, causing excessive invasion and blockage.

Innovation Solution

A combination parameter optimization design method is proposed, calculating an invasion site discrimination feature index to distinguish flow patterns, optimizing packing sequences and ratios, and selecting specific proppant sizes and amounts based on formation sand characteristics to balance sand blocking and conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If single-particle-size proppants are used, then the design is simple, but sand blocking capability and fracture conductivity cannot be simultaneously ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproppant design complexityVSAvoidsand blocking capability and fracture conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The proppant system is segmented into two distinct particle size ranges: coarse proppants (0.6-1.2mm) and fine proppants (0.3-0.6mm). Each size serves specific functions - coarse proppants provide structural support for fracture conductivity while fine proppants fill voids to enhance sand blocking. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by dividing the single proppant system into functional components that collectively achieve both sand blocking and conductivity requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different particle sizes are placed in different spatial locations within the fracture to optimize local functions. Coarse proppants are positioned where structural support is needed to maintain fracture aperture and conductivity, while fine proppants are placed in regions requiring enhanced sand blocking capability. This local quality differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of both sand blocking and fracture conductivity without increasing overall design complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If dual-particle-size proppants are used, then sand blocking and conductivity can be improved, but the design lacks specificity and does not consider geological conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesand blocking and conductivityVSAvoiddesign specificity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention establishes specific quantitative parameters for dual-particle-size proppants based on formation sand characteristics. The coarse proppant size is determined as 3-6 times the formation sand size, and fine proppant size as 1.5-3 times the formation sand size. The packing ratio of coarse to fine proppants is optimized to 2:1 to 3:1 by volume. These parameter changes transform the general dual-size concept into a specific design methodology that considers geological conditions while maintaining improved sand blocking and conductivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional proppant sizes (0.3-0.6mm, 0.4-0.8mm, 0.6-1.2mm) are used, then availability is high, but particle size intervals are large causing excessive invasion and blockage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproppant availabilityVSAvoidformation sand invasion and blockage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention dynamically adjusts the proppant size selection based on formation sand characteristics rather than using fixed conventional size ranges. By calculating optimal proppant sizes as multiples of formation sand size (coarse: 3-6 times, fine: 1.5-3 times), the system adapts to different geological conditions while reducing the effective particle size interval between proppants and formation sand. This dynamic approach minimizes invasion and blockage while maintaining high availability by selecting from conventional proppant size ranges.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12565829B1Combination parameter optimization design method for fracturing and packing dual-particle-size proppants for unconsolidated sandstone reservoir

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 CHINA UNIV OF PETROLEUM (EAST CHINA)

AI summary

This disclosure belongs to the oil and gas exploitation industry, and specifically relates to a combination parameter optimization design method for fracturing and packing dual-particle-size proppants for an unconsolidated sandstone reservoir. According to this disclosure, specific parameters of proppants including a packing particle size, a packing fracture length ratio, and a packing sequence are subjected to optimization design based on reservoir and oil well conditions, as well as corresponding dual-particle-size combination modes. Ultimately, comprehensive effects of realizing effective sand blocking, reducing invasion, blockage, and permeability damage of formation sand to a fracture packing layer, reducing fracture flow resistance, improving comprehensive conductivity, and releasing a production capacity of oil and gas wells are achieved.