Development of new testing procedures to measure propped fracture conductivity considering water damage in clay-rich shale reservoirs: An example of the Barnett Shale

摘要

Multi-stage hydraulic fracturing is the key to the success of many shale gas and shale oil reservoirs. The main objective of hydraulic fracturing in shale is to create fracture networks with sufficient fracture conductivity. Due to the variation in shale mineralogical and mechanical properties, fracture conductivity damage mechanisms in shale formations are complex. Standard fracture conductivity measurement procedures developed for fractures with high proppant concentration had to be modified to measure the conductivity in fractures with low proppant concentration. Water-based fracturing fluids can interact with the clay minerals in shale and eventually impact shale fracture conductivity. All these challenges require more experimental studies to improve our understanding of realistic fracture conductivity in shale formations.