Experimental investigation of the effect of imbibition on shale permeability during hydraulic fracturing

Permeability is a criterion that determines the long-term production from a formation. By studying the permeability change caused by imbibition during hydraulic fracturing stimulation, this paper presents a new observation that imbibition in shale can not only damage, but also potentially stimulate the shale formation by increasing permeability due to open closed or sealed natural fractures.