New approach for enhancing fracture conductivity

A new liquid surface-modification system was developed for coating proppant , dramatically increasing its surface friction and allowing it to interact instantaneously with surrounding particulates. High surface friction betwee n coated proppant grains allows them to withstand high Row rates, minimizin g their flowback potential after fracture-stimulation treatments. According to field results, when this surface-modification material was use d as a flowback-control agent after conventional fracturing treatments, it permitted more aggressive flowback procedures. This treatment did not impai r conductivity, and, in fact, increased proppant conductivity at closure st resses below 4,000 psi. Better vertical proppant distribution occurred in e xperiments that demonstrated how the surface modification significantly hin dered proppant settling. Fines that already existed within the proppant (ge nerated from the formation or derived from crushed proppant upon fracture c losure) all adhered to the treated proppant, which inhibited them from migr ating and blocking pore throats of the proppant pack. This unique coating t echnology further enhanced conductivity by improving fracturing-gel breaker action in certain fluids. This behavior results in faster, more effective well cleanup after stimulation.