Field-Scale Computational Fluid Dynamics CFD Modeling of ProppantTransport and Distribution Within a Horizontal Hydraulic Fracturing Stage

摘要

Treating every perforation cluster during a hydraulic fracturing treatment is a key element to ensuringthe effectiveness and overall success of the well stimulation process.With completion costs being 50%of the total well cost in shale reservoirs and the reliance on hydraulic fracturing as a key technology fordevelopment,operators are concerned with maximizing the well performance by optimizing the stimulationdesign.In multi-stage horizontal well treatments,equal diversion of the fracturing fluid and proppant to allperforation clusters is desired,as bias proppant distribution may cause early screen-out and/or leave somefractures unpropped.Computational fluid dynamics(CFD)is a branch of fluid mechanics that numerically solves Navier-Stokes equations and predicts the fluid flow behavior within a specified computational domain.CFD alsohas the capability to model the flow of dispersed particles within a fluid through the use of a discrete phasemodel(DPM).Recently,CFD has been utilized by various researchers as a tool to model fracturing slurryflow within perforation clusters to predict proppant transport and distribution trends.This work models the fluid and particle flow using CFD DPM within a single hydraulic fracturing stageto improve our understanding of the proppant transport and distribution between multi-perforation clusters.The paper presents the CFD modeling methodology and results of two main perforation designs includingtraditional 0° phasing,vertical perforations and modified 45° angled shot perforations.To be able to comparethe modeling to actual field conditions and field diagnostics,slickwater fracturing fluid with 40/70 and100 mesh sand at a varying proppant concentration from 1 to 2 ppg are used in the model to replicate afield-scale 15-cluster stage.The modeling outcomes are then compared and validated to actual well post-job diagnostics; proppant tracers and perforation erosion signs captured by downhole cameras.These fieldresults help to calibrate the CFD models,which then allowed sensitivity analysis and design improvement.