Impact of the Stress Shadow on the Proppant Transport and the Productivity of the Multi-Stage Fractured Marcellus Shale Horizontal Wells
Authors: El Sgher Mohamed , Aminian Kashy , Matey-Korley Vida , Ameri Samuel 
Published: September 2023

The impacts of the fluid type and stress shadow on proppant transport during hydraulic fracturing in a Marcellus shale horizontal well with multiple hydraulic fracture stages were investigated. The available data from a Marcellus Shale horizontal well were utilized to determine the hydraulic fracture properties and to develop a reservoir model. The reliability of the model was confirmed by the close agreement between the predicted production by the model and the well production data. The impact of fluid type and stage spacing on proppant transport during hydraulic fracturing and gas production from Marcellus shale horizontal well were then investigated by employing the reservoir models. Slickwater, compared to crosslinked gels and high viscosity friction reducers (HVFRs), is more efficient in horizontal Marcellus shale wells that are fractured in multiple stages. The application of the HVFRs and crosslinked gels resulted in fracture height growth out of the pay zone. While the use of slickwater directed all stimulation energy towards the pay zone and resulted in improved hydraulic fracture properties in the Marcellus shale and lead to high gas recovery.

INTRODUCTION

The advancements in horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies have made shale production a reality for the past decade. With the technical and economical limitations posed by hydraulic fracturing operations in unconventional reservoirs, it is imperative to create an optimized fracturing design to achieve economic production. A number of treatment design considerations including the type of fluid, proppant type and size, and the additives must be evaluated to achieve successful well stimulation results. In general, proppant transport is dependent on proppant size, density, and type; fluid rheology; temperature changes; pumping rate, among others. The fracturing fluid should be compatible with the formation and promote the increase in the stimulated volume. In order to transport the proppants deep into the fracture, the fluid should be capable of keeping the proppants suspended. With an inherent viscosity, fluid should be able to develop the necessary fracture width to accept proppants. Also, it should have low friction pressure loss and sufficient stability to retain its viscosity throughout the treatment and finally, it should be easy to remove after the treatment. The type of fluid used therefore has pronounced impact on the transport of proppants and the properties of the created hydraulic fracture and consequently the hydrocarbon production. Proppant selection is a contributing factor in the dimensions of a propagating fracture. The most prevalent hydraulic fracturing treatment fluids in shale formations is slickwater with no significant amount of thickening agent. The application of this low viscosity fluid system contradicts conventional fracturing theory. However, slickwater is the preferable fracturing fluid in shale because of its cost-effectiveness and low potential for damaging the shale. In addition, slickwater has the potential to prevent high fracture height growth leading to better fracture containment within the pay zone.