A new proppant type fully coupled fiber-proppant and its property evaluation for unconventional reservoirs

Fracturing (hydraulic fracturing technology) treatment in an unconventional reservoir was a key technology. For an increased in production, effective proppant placement in hydraulic fracture systems was important in operating conditions. Especially, two key factors, proppant transportation distance and packing height, determined the final conductivity and gas production. This study aimed to develop a new type of proppant and evaluated its properties. Based on two new types of materials that could modify the surface of the proppant and fiber, the fiber and proppant coupled with each other due to the surface treatment and could transport longer and pile up higher in the fracture. Therefore, to furtherly figure out this new proppant property, visual fracture models were designed and used with some key factors. This study showed that this new proppant had some remarkable properties and had a better transportation efficiency in visual fracture models.