Proppant Transport Studies Using Three Types of Fracture Slot Equipment

We conducted proppant transport experiments using water, slick water and linear gel with and without degradable fiber. Three types of proppant transport slot equipment were used for the experiments and the results were compared. If fiber was used for transporting proppant, the clusters consisting of fiber and proppant were formed while flowing, which significantly reduced proppant fall rate. Clusters settled at the bottom formed low density agglomerates of proppant trapped in fiber so that they were eroded with a low lateral flow rate. Therefore, with mixing fiber and guar, we can produce frac fluid properties desirable for various reservoir conditions.