SPE Production & Operations
Volume 25, Number 4, November 2010, pp. 461-471

SPE-119350-PA

Stress Amplification and Arch Dimensions in Proppant Beds Deposited by Waterfracs

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DOI  More information 10.2118/119350-PA http://dx.doi.org/10.2118/119350-PA

Citation

  • Warpinski, N.R. 2010. Stress Amplification and Arch Dimensions in Proppant Beds Deposited by Waterfracs. SPE Prod & Oper  25 (4): 461-471. SPE-119350-PA. doi: 10.2118/119350-PA.

Discipline Categories

  • 5.3.3 Hydraulic Fracturing and Gravel Packing

Keywords

  • stress amplification, proppant dunes, arch dimensions, hydraulic fracturing, proppant transport

Summary

Equations and a procedure have been developed to calculate the excess stress induced on a proppant dune that is deposited by a waterfrac with poor proppant-transport characteristics. This method also calculates the dimensions of an arch region that forms above the bed. Stresses on the proppant at the top of such a dune are much greater than usually considered because of the need to support a wide proppant bed and the arch, suggesting that crushing and embedment are likely. The arch region itself is an extremely-high-conductivity pathway that may provide overall benefit in terms of cleanup and production, but may also aid sand production.

© 2010. Society of Petroleum Engineers

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History

  • Original manuscript received: 8 November 2008
  • Meeting paper published: 20 January 2009
  • Revised manuscript received: 24 April 2010
  • Manuscript approved: 2 July 2010
  • Published online: 21 October 2010
  • Version of record: 18 November 2010