This numerical simulation study investigates proppant transport in tight sandstone gas reservoirs, suggesting optimization strategies for hydraulic fracturing.
Key Points
This research aims to understand how proppant transport affects fracture conductivity in tight sandstone gas reservoirs using numerical simulations.
Developed a three-dimensional solid-liquid Eulerian multiphase flow model.
Conducted simulations for a single main fracture and a wellbore–fracture system.
Analyzed the effects of pumping rate, fluid properties, and proppant concentration on transport behavior.
Increased pumping rate and fluid viscosity improve uniformity of proppant placement.
Fine proppants accumulate in lower areas while coarse ones distribute evenly.
Proppant initially gathers in the middle fracture area, shifting later to the heel fracture.