Grants and Contributions:

Title:

Effect of Proppant Size and Surface Characteristics on the Critical Velocity Required for the Effective Transport of Proppants in Hydraulic Fracturing of Horizontal Wells

Agreement Number:

EGP

Agreement Value:

$25,000.00

Agreement Date:

Oct 18, 2017 -

Organization:

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

Location:

Alberta, CA

Reference Number:

GC-2017-Q3-00554

Agreement Type:

Grant

Report Type:

Grants and Contributions

Additional Information:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

Recipient's Legal Name:

Kuru, Ergun (University of Alberta)

Program:

Engage Grants for universities

Program Purpose:

Proppant transport efficiency is a critical aspect of hydraulic fracturing operations. Proppants must be properlyx000D
placed to hold fractures open and enable increased hydrocarbon production. Proppants most widely used byx000D
industry are high density particles like sand and ceramics. These particles settle down in water-based fluids andx000D
their placement to fractures becomes a task that requires high intensity pumping power and large amount ofx000D
water-based fluids to ensure these heavy particles travel to specified zones in the reservoir. Although chemistryx000D
is used to viscosify fracking fluids to facilitate transport of particles, the use of chemicals is not desirable.x000D
Slickwater (non-viscosified fluid) contains a minimum amount of chemicals and is one of the preferred optionsx000D
for hydraulic fracturing operations but difficulties are encountered in achieving efficient proppant transport duex000D
to proppant settling in these fluids. An improved understanding of the drivers behind proppant transport (i.e.x000D
near wall turbulence, fluid rheological properties, proppant size, density, and surface characteristics, etc.) basedx000D
on the results from this project, will be useful for designing optimum fracturing operations which ensuresx000D
proper placement of proppants by avoiding premature settling and screening of proppants. This will helpx000D
developing new, more reliable proppant surface modification products, resulting in more efficient and securex000D
frac job designs for improved reservoir production. Canada's Oil and gas industry's capacity to conduct morex000D
efficient and economical hydraulic fracturing jobs will benefit tremendously from this proposed study. Thex000D
benefits in improved proppant transport will potentially lead to reduction of water and energy consumption inx000D
the operations. In addition, improved slick-water fracturing jobs will result in use of less chemistry in thex000D
hydraulic fracturing market with positive environmental advantages for Canada.