Proppant Settling Rate Prediction for Fracture Placement Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods fail to accurately determine the settling rate of proppant, leading to premature sand plugging near the wellbore or poor proppant placement efficiency, which affects fracture conductivity and hydrocarbon flow pathways in hydraulic fracturing.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for determining the settling rate of proppant by acquiring mesh size, bulk density, carrier fluid density, and viscosity, and using pre-established settling rate calculation models to calculate the settling rate, allowing adjustment of proppant density and carrier fluid viscosity to meet preset requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the settling rate of the proppant is increased, then proppant placement efficiency near the wellbore is improved, but premature sand plugging occurs near the wellbore
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the settling rate of proppant within an optimal range (30-80 m/min) based on fracture depth and carrier fluid viscosity. By changing the settling rate parameter according to specific operating conditions, the patent achieves both efficient proppant placement near the wellbore and prevents premature sand plugging, resolving the technical contradiction between placement efficiency and sand plugging prevention.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the settling rate of the proppant is decreased, then sand plugging near the wellbore is prevented, but proppant placement efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by dynamically adjusting the settling rate parameter based on fracture depth and carrier fluid viscosity. For shallow fractures or highly viscous carriers, lower settling rates (30-50 m/min) prevent sand plugging while maintaining adequate placement efficiency. For deeper fractures or less viscous carriers, higher settling rates (60-80 m/min) improve placement efficiency without causing premature plugging. This conditional parameter adjustment optimizes both sand plugging prevention and placement efficiency.
3Strength
If proppant mesh size is increased, then fracture conductivity is improved, but settling rate control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent addresses this contradiction by establishing a systematic approach that adjusts settling rate parameters based on proppant mesh size, carrier fluid viscosity, and fracture depth. For coarser proppant (e.g., 20-40 mesh) that provides higher fracture conductivity, the patent recommends adjusting carrier fluid viscosity and settling rate parameters to maintain optimal placement. This coordinated parameter adjustment makes settling rate control manageable while preserving the benefits of coarse proppant for fracture conductivity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If carrier fluid viscosity is increased, then proppant suspension is improved, but pumping power requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by optimizing carrier fluid viscosity within a specific range (10-100 cP) and coordinating it with appropriate settling rate parameters. By selecting moderate viscosity values and matching them with suitable settling rates based on fracture depth and proppant characteristics, the patent achieves adequate proppant suspension to prevent settling during pumping while avoiding excessive viscosity that would require high pumping power. This balanced parameter selection optimizes both suspension stability and energy efficiency.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate determination and adjustment of proppant settling rate, improving proppant placement efficiency and fracture conductivity in hydraulic fracturing.
Implementation Method 1
the settling rate of the proppant directly influences the placement effect
Implementation Method 2
calculating the settling rate of the proppant
Data Source
AI summary
The present application discloses a method and apparatus for determining the settling rate of proppants in hydraulic fracturing. The method comprises: acquiring the target mesh size of the proppant; obtaining the bulk density of the proppant, and the density and viscosity of the carrier fluid under reservoir conditions; retrieving the proppant concentration (sand ratio) during injection; and applying a pre-established predictive model specific to the selected mesh size. The model inputs include proppant bulk density, carrier fluid density, reservoir-temperature viscosity, and sand ratio, and the output is the estimated settling velocity. This method effectively addresses the technical challenge of predicting proppant transport behavior under downhole conditions, thereby enhancing proppant placement accuracy and improving fracture conductivity in low-permeability formations.