An Experimental Study on the Impact of the Particle Size and Proportion of Composite Proppant on the Conductivity of Propped Fractures in Coalbed Methane Reservoirs following Pulverized Coal Fines Infiltration

Article Engineering, Chemical

Numerical investigation of proppant transport at hydraulic-natural fracture intersection

Duo Wang et al.

Summary: The transport mechanism of particles at fracture intersection is numerically investigated using the coupled lattice Boltzmann-discrete element methods. A comprehensive parametric study on proppant transport through a T-junction is performed, and several valuable conclusions are drawn.

POWDER TECHNOLOGY (2022)

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Article Engineering, Petroleum

Modeling and Economic Analyses of Graded Particle Injections in Conjunction with Hydraulic Fracturing of Coal Seam Gas Reservoirs

Vanessa Santiago et al.

Summary: This study demonstrates the potential benefits of using graded proppant injection (GPI) in combination with hydraulic fracturing to enhance well productivity and improve economic outcomes in coal seam gas (CSG) reservoirs. By utilizing a commercially available reservoir model and a history-matched case, the study evaluates the performance differences between a hydraulically fractured reservoir and a reservoir with GPI application. The results show that GPI stimulation can achieve permeability enhancement beyond the hydraulic fracture region, and an optimal stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) maximizes the incremental net present value (NPV) from GPI application. The findings also highlight the significance of fracture porosity and coal compressibility in economic outcomes, with larger SRV resulting in significantly higher cumulative gas production over 30 years.

SPE JOURNAL (2022)

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Article Energy & Fuels

Numerical investigation of the effects of proppant embedment on fracture permeability and well production in Queensland coal seam gas reservoirs

Duo Wang et al.

Summary: This study developed a new predictive model using the finite element method and lattice Boltzmann method to support proppant injection in naturally fractured coal seam gas reservoirs. The results show that proppant injection can significantly increase fracture permeabilities and enhance well productivity indexes, but elastoplastic deformation has a minor impact on permeability increase and production enhancement.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COAL GEOLOGY (2021)

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Article Energy & Fuels

Detachment of coal fines deposited in proppant packs induced by single-phase water flow: Theoretical and experimental analyses

Fansheng Huang et al.

Summary: Experimental investigation on the detachment of deposited coal fines in proppant packs showed a critical flow velocity for the release of fines, which decreased initially and then increased with the fines size. Moreover, more coal fines were produced and the permeability increased to a greater extent under gradual flow velocity increase compared to abrupt increase. The theoretical models based on Happel’s sphere-in-cell model provided insights into the mechanisms underlying the release of coal fines in proppant packs.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF COAL GEOLOGY (2021)

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Article Energy & Fuels

Effects of Proppant Wettability and Size on Transport and Retention of Coal Fines in Saturated Proppant Packs: Experimental and Theoretical Studies

Fansheng Huang et al.

Summary: Hydraulic fracturing is the key technique for extracting coalbed methane, but coal fines retention can lead to fracture conductivity impairment. This study investigated the effects of proppant wettability and size on coal fines retention, finding that increasing proppant hydrophilicity and size decreases fines retention. Analysis of forces and torques on coal fines near proppants showed that proppant wettability and size affect fines retention mechanisms.

ENERGY & FUELS (2021)

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Article Energy & Fuels

Pressure-dependent flow characteristics of proppant pack systems during well shut-in and the impact of fines invasion

M. A. A. Ahamed et al.

Summary: Near-wellbore screenouts caused by the development of compact proppant clusters is a common issue in Coal Seam Gas (CSG) reservoir fracturing treatments. The permeability of the proppant pack depends on reservoir pressure and proppant type, with fines invasion more likely to cause pore blockages in ceramic proppant packs.

JOURNAL OF NATURAL GAS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING (2021)

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Article Energy & Fuels