Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2440/75851
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Type: Journal article
Title: Conductivity of narrow fractures filled with a proppant monolayer
Author: Khanna, A.
Kotooussov, A.
Sobey, J.
Weller, P.
Citation: Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 2012; 100:9-13
Publisher: Elsevier Science BV
Issue Date: 2012
ISSN: 0920-4105
1873-4715
Statement of
Responsibility: 
Aditya Khanna, Andrei Kotousov, James Sobey, Paul Weller
Abstract: A simplified approach for calculating the conductivity of narrow fractures filled with a sparse monolayer of proppant particles is developed. The proppant particles are modelled as rigid spheres and the deformation of the fracture faces is assumed to be purely elastic. Hertz contact theory and the principle of superposition are utilised to obtain the fracture opening profile as a function of the proppant concentration and the value of confining stress. The conductivity of the deformed fracture channel is determined by using computational fluid dynamics. It has been demonstrated that some optimal proppant concentration exists, which maximises the fracture conductivity. Based on the simplified approach developed in this paper, the optimal concentration has been obtained as a function of the confining stress and the material properties of the fractured medium. The results are compared with previously published experimental data, which also indicate the existence of an optimal proppant concentration. A reasonable agreement between theoretical and experimental results is observed. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.
Keywords: fracture conductivity
partial proppant monolayer
proppant concentration
elastic deformation
Hertz theory
CFD
Rights: Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
DOI: 10.1016/j.petrol.2012.11.016
Published version: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2012.11.016
Appears in Collections:Aurora harvest 4
Materials Research Group publications
Mechanical Engineering publications

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