The Effect of Proppant Ramping in Hydraulic Fracturing for High-Permeable Oil and Low-Permeable Gas Zones

Using a numerical simulator, effects of proppant ramping on the quality of hydraulic fracturing treatment and production enhancement in two different formations, high-permeable oil and low-permeable gas formations, were evaluated and analyzed in this study. Proper proppant size and fracturing fluid for each zone was selected based on Net Present Value (NPV). Results showed that high leak-off coefficient (HLC) fluid with Badger Sand (12/20) and low leak-off coefficient (LLC) fluid with Arizona Sand (20/40) are best proppant sizes and fracturing fluids for high- and low-permeable zones, respectively. The results revealed that highest production rate in high-permeable zone is achieved when HLC fluid with low proppant (sand (12/20)) concentration are pumped at high injection rate (40 bpm). On the other hand, highest production rate in low-permeable zone is achieved when LLC fluid with low proppant (sand (20/40)) concentration are pumped into the formation at low flow rate (14 bpm). A total of eight stages of fracturing job, starting with a pad stage and ended with a flush stage, were simulated for each case in this study. The results demonstrated that early sand-out occurs when proppant concentration is high at the beginning of fracturing treatment operation.