Proppant embedding-based optimal design method for fracturing coalbed methane wells in Qingshui basin

Abstract Fracturing design needs to consider the effect of proppant embedding as the production decreases rapidly due to proppant embedding after fracturing of coalbed methane wells. Coal fracture conductivity experiments were carried out to analyze the changes in coal fracture conductivity due to p...

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Main Authors: Zhengrong Chen, Wei Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92829-5
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author Zhengrong Chen
Wei Liu
author_facet Zhengrong Chen
Wei Liu
author_sort Zhengrong Chen
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Fracturing design needs to consider the effect of proppant embedding as the production decreases rapidly due to proppant embedding after fracturing of coalbed methane wells. Coal fracture conductivity experiments were carried out to analyze the changes in coal fracture conductivity due to proppant embedding. A model of coal fracture conductivity was established considering proppant embedding. A proppant index method, which considers the dynamic change of conductivity over time, was adopted to establish a proppant embedding-based optimal design method for fracturing coal bed methane wells. The optimal design of coalbed methane wells in the southern block of Qinshui Basin was carried out. The results show that the fracture conductivity decreased with the increase of formation closure pressure. It increased with the rise of proppant grain size, number of placement layers, and Young’s modulus of the formation. The simulation results were in good agreement with the indoor fracture conductivity experiments. The proppant embedding reduced the fracture width and fracture conductivity. The optimized fracture length considering proppant embedding decreased with an average decrease of 10.6%, and the fracture width increased with an average increase of 11.5%. Consideration of proppant embedment during fracture optimization of coalbed methane wells compared to no consideration resulted in a decrease in design fracture length, an increase in design fracture width, and a relative increase in average production. The validity and practicability of the method were verified, and it was of great guiding significance for the optimal design of fracturing in coalbed methane wells.
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spelling doaj-art-ecbf51feff7d43339104d8cf5987f5932025-08-20T03:01:34ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-0115111710.1038/s41598-025-92829-5Proppant embedding-based optimal design method for fracturing coalbed methane wells in Qingshui basinZhengrong Chen0Wei Liu1College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing)College of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing)Abstract Fracturing design needs to consider the effect of proppant embedding as the production decreases rapidly due to proppant embedding after fracturing of coalbed methane wells. Coal fracture conductivity experiments were carried out to analyze the changes in coal fracture conductivity due to proppant embedding. A model of coal fracture conductivity was established considering proppant embedding. A proppant index method, which considers the dynamic change of conductivity over time, was adopted to establish a proppant embedding-based optimal design method for fracturing coal bed methane wells. The optimal design of coalbed methane wells in the southern block of Qinshui Basin was carried out. The results show that the fracture conductivity decreased with the increase of formation closure pressure. It increased with the rise of proppant grain size, number of placement layers, and Young’s modulus of the formation. The simulation results were in good agreement with the indoor fracture conductivity experiments. The proppant embedding reduced the fracture width and fracture conductivity. The optimized fracture length considering proppant embedding decreased with an average decrease of 10.6%, and the fracture width increased with an average increase of 11.5%. Consideration of proppant embedment during fracture optimization of coalbed methane wells compared to no consideration resulted in a decrease in design fracture length, an increase in design fracture width, and a relative increase in average production. The validity and practicability of the method were verified, and it was of great guiding significance for the optimal design of fracturing in coalbed methane wells.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92829-5Coalbed methane (CBM)Proppant embedding modelFracture conductivity modelProppant index methodFracturing design
spellingShingle Zhengrong Chen
Wei Liu
Proppant embedding-based optimal design method for fracturing coalbed methane wells in Qingshui basin
Scientific Reports
Coalbed methane (CBM)
Proppant embedding model
Fracture conductivity model
Proppant index method
Fracturing design
title Proppant embedding-based optimal design method for fracturing coalbed methane wells in Qingshui basin
title_full Proppant embedding-based optimal design method for fracturing coalbed methane wells in Qingshui basin
title_fullStr Proppant embedding-based optimal design method for fracturing coalbed methane wells in Qingshui basin
title_full_unstemmed Proppant embedding-based optimal design method for fracturing coalbed methane wells in Qingshui basin
title_short Proppant embedding-based optimal design method for fracturing coalbed methane wells in Qingshui basin
title_sort proppant embedding based optimal design method for fracturing coalbed methane wells in qingshui basin
topic Coalbed methane (CBM)
Proppant embedding model
Fracture conductivity model
Proppant index method
Fracturing design
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-92829-5
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