Grain-scale analysis of proppant crushing and embedment using calibrated discrete element models

Abstract Proppant crushing and embedment in hydraulically-induced fractures is a major drawback to the recovery of unconventional oil/gas geothermal energy production. This study provides grain-scale analysis fracture evolution mechanisms proppant crushing, rock damage during embedment, influence realistic reservoir/fracture fluid on behaviour packs subjected in-situ stresses using discrete element modelling (DEM) approach. The results this reveal that selection an appropriate type based nature reservoir formation plays vital part quantifying degree within fractures. utilisation frac-sand proppants instead ceramic shallow soft sedimentary-based siltstone formations reduces up 88%. However, whatever depth fracture, injection into granite-based preferred due their lower greater crush resistance. DEM detected rock-spalling process, which ultimately led initiation tensile-dominant secondary rocks. Fracture initiation, propagation, coalescence are analysed calibrated proppant-rock assemblies. Importantly, reveals saturation rocks with fracturing/reservoir fluids may cause significant increase embedment. Furthermore, re-arrangement different distributions comprehensive numerical study.