Measurement of realistic fracture conductivity in the Barnett shale

Results from the experiments show that unpropped induced fractures can provide a conductive path after removal of free particles and debris generated when cracking the rock. Poorly cemented natural fractures are effective flow paths. Unpropped fracture conductivity depends strongly on the degree of shear displacement, the presence of shale flakes and particles, and the amount of cementing material removed. The propped fracture conductivity is weakly dependent on fracture surface roughness at higher proppant concentrations. Moreover, propped fracture conductivity increases with larger proppant size and higher concentration in the testing range of this study. Results also show that proppant partial monolayers cannot survive higher closure stresses.