TIME-DEPENDENT SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION OF MULTIPLE PROPPANT TYPES OR SIZES IN A FRACTURE NETWORK

摘要

A hydraulic fracturing flow simulation method includes identifying one or more reservoir layers contacted by a wellbore, the reservoir layers including a network of fractures. The method further includes determining a current network state that includes flow parameter values at discrete points arranged one-dimensionally along the wellbore and at discrete points arranged one-dimensionally along each fracture, the flow parameter values including concentrations of multiple proppant types or sizes. The method further includes constructing a set of linear equations for deriving a subsequent network state from the current network state while accounting for interaction and settling of the multiple proppant types or sizes. The method further includes repeatedly solving the set of linear equations to obtain a sequence of subsequent network states. The method further includes displaying the time-dependent spatial distribution.