Heterogeneous proppant placement in a fracture with removable extrametrical material fill

Abstract

A method of heterogeneous proppant placement in a subterranean fracture is disclosed. The method comprises injecting well treatment fluid including proppant (16) and proppant-spacing filler material (18) through a wellbore (10) into the fracture (20), heterogeneously placing the proppant in the fracture in a plurality of proppant clusters or islands (22) spaced apart by the material (24), and removing the filler material (24) to form open channels (26) around the pillars (28) for fluid flow from the formation (14) through the fracture (20) toward the wellbore (10). The proppant and channelant can be segregated within the well treatment fluid, or segregated during placement in the fracture. The filler material can be dissolvable particles, initially acting as a filler material during placement of the proppant in the fracture, and later dissolving to leave the flow channels between the proppant pillars. The well treatment fluid can include extrametrical materials to provide reinforcement and consolidation of the proppant and, additionally or alternatively, to inhibit settling of the proppant in the treatment fluid.

Description

technical field [0001] Embodiments relate to stimulation of wells penetrating subterranean formations, and more particularly to fracture stimulation of flow through fractures for producing hydrocarbons by injecting proppants into fractures to create regions of low flow resistance. Background technique [0002] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. [0003] Various methods are known for fracturing subterranean formations to enhance the production of fluids therefrom. In a typical application, a pressurized fracturing fluid hydraulically creates and propagates fractures. The fracturing fluid carries proppant particles into the propagating fracture. When the fracturing fluid is removed, the fracture does not close completely due to the loss of hydraulic pressure; instead, the fracture is held open by the proppant through the packed proppant, allowing fluid to flow from the forma...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, fluids containing proppants are difficult to control their position

This can lead to an inconsistent distribution of proppant clusters, which in turn can lead to excessive fracture closure where proppant is insufficient and restricted flow paths where proppant is excessive

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