Fracture cleaning: Experimental study on the unclogging process within a propped fracture under a dynamic stimulation

This experimental study investigates the unclogging process of a propped fracture previously clogged, using synthetic dynamic load. Pressure oscillations inside are expected to flush out fine particles blocking flow. Laboratory experiments presented: fractures clogged with crushed natural sand; after applying load, significant increase intrinsic permeability is observed. The highest recovery rate reached was 82%. X-ray CT scans provide images before and load applied. results show that high percentage fines flushed fracture. influence proppant characteristics quantity in discussed. Flushing more effective large-size proppant. As density increases, it passes through minimum for one layer which corresponds very dense particle distribution. Above proppant, stack onto each other increases thickness its conductivity. Finally, found frequencies amplitudes promote unclogging.