Masters Theses

Abstract

"Proppant transport modeling through fractures with slickwater fluid systems assumes uniform and homogeneous fracture widths by implying constant fluid behavior at wall boundaries. Hydraulic fracturing mineback operations have demonstrated that induced fractures are heterogeneous and varying in width. This work investigates the impact of fracture width heterogeneity, roughness, and leak-off on ceramic proppant transport and settling, using proppant distribution concepts of Equilibrium Dune Level (EDL) and equilibrium Dune Length (EDX). Experimental work was conducted to investigate the impact of fracture width heterogeneity by varying fracture width along two plexiglass sheets. To mimic actual hydraulic fractures, the injection side was designed as the largest width, and the width of the opposite end was reduced. The ratio between the injection and tip side widths was varied to study the effect of changing fracture width. One ratio was used as a base to study the effect of varying wall roughness and leak-off on the proppant placement. Results of this work demonstrate the impacts of reservoir heterogeneity, wall roughness, and leak off on proppant conveyance and distribution. Fracture width and wall roughness have a significant effect on proppant distribution along a fracture. Increasing width heterogeneity and roughness provide a better proppant distribution and thus better fracture propped conductivity. The effect of leak-off on proppant distribution was monitored, and it showed that proppant followed water movement. Consequently, average water volume that left the slot was affected by proppant distribution"--Abstract, page iii.

Advisor(s)

Dunn-Norman, Shari
Imqam, Abdulmohsin

Committee Member(s)

Flori, Ralph E.
Wei, Mingzhen

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Degree Name

M.S. in Petroleum Engineering

Publisher

Missouri University of Science and Technology

Publication Date

Summer 2017

Pagination

xiv, 104 pages

Note about bibliography

Includes bibliographical references (pages 101-103).

Rights

© 2017 Dhurgham Abdulameer Kadhim, All rights reserved.

Document Type

Thesis - Open Access

File Type

text

Language

English

Thesis Number

T 11174

Electronic OCLC #

1003050578

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