Evaluation of sintered bauxite proppant for binary enhanced geothermal systems
Abstract Solid granular proppant particles are widely used in oil and gas development to sustain permeability through fractures after hydraulic stimulation. Similar proppants are of interest for geothermal applications where the goal of sustaining permeability is the same, but the harsh geothermal e...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s40948-023-00719-9 |
| _version_ | 1797276218551173120 |
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| author | Bijay KC Ehsan Ghazanfari John McLennan Luke P. Frash Meng Meng |
| author_facet | Bijay KC Ehsan Ghazanfari John McLennan Luke P. Frash Meng Meng |
| author_sort | Bijay KC |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Solid granular proppant particles are widely used in oil and gas development to sustain permeability through fractures after hydraulic stimulation. Similar proppants are of interest for geothermal applications where the goal of sustaining permeability is the same, but the harsh geothermal environment risks rapid proppant degradation that will reduce fracture permeability. Here, we present proppant conductivity experiments using saw cut granite, tensile fractured granite, and aluminum control specimens packed with sintered bauxite ceramic proppants at concentrations of 0.0, 0.1, and 1.0 kg/m2. Simulated geothermal conditions included temperatures up to 130 °C and normal closure stresses up to 60 MPa. Compared to unpropped specimens, peak fracture conductivity enhancement was up to 6 orders of magnitude. At simulated geothermal conditions, proppants were able to sustain fracture conductivity over 60 h, but chemical dissolution and decreasing permeability over time were evident. Irreversible conductivity reductions with crushing and embedment of proppants during loading stages were also observed. Overall, sintered bauxite proppant remains a promising option for low-temperature binary-cycle enhanced geothermal systems. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:25:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d2c8678cc31d4e548e18a6c198c2aa9a |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2363-8419 2363-8427 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T15:25:13Z |
| publishDate | 2024-01-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources |
| spelling | doaj.art-d2c8678cc31d4e548e18a6c198c2aa9a2024-03-05T17:09:08ZengSpringerGeomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources2363-84192363-84272024-01-0110111710.1007/s40948-023-00719-9Evaluation of sintered bauxite proppant for binary enhanced geothermal systemsBijay KC0Ehsan Ghazanfari1John McLennan2Luke P. Frash3Meng Meng4Los Alamos National LaboratoryDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of VermontDepartment of Chemical Engineering, University of UtahLos Alamos National LaboratoryLos Alamos National LaboratoryAbstract Solid granular proppant particles are widely used in oil and gas development to sustain permeability through fractures after hydraulic stimulation. Similar proppants are of interest for geothermal applications where the goal of sustaining permeability is the same, but the harsh geothermal environment risks rapid proppant degradation that will reduce fracture permeability. Here, we present proppant conductivity experiments using saw cut granite, tensile fractured granite, and aluminum control specimens packed with sintered bauxite ceramic proppants at concentrations of 0.0, 0.1, and 1.0 kg/m2. Simulated geothermal conditions included temperatures up to 130 °C and normal closure stresses up to 60 MPa. Compared to unpropped specimens, peak fracture conductivity enhancement was up to 6 orders of magnitude. At simulated geothermal conditions, proppants were able to sustain fracture conductivity over 60 h, but chemical dissolution and decreasing permeability over time were evident. Irreversible conductivity reductions with crushing and embedment of proppants during loading stages were also observed. Overall, sintered bauxite proppant remains a promising option for low-temperature binary-cycle enhanced geothermal systems.https://doi.org/10.1007/s40948-023-00719-9Proppant pack conductivityHydraulic fracturingStress cycleDissolution |
| spellingShingle | Bijay KC Ehsan Ghazanfari John McLennan Luke P. Frash Meng Meng Evaluation of sintered bauxite proppant for binary enhanced geothermal systems Geomechanics and Geophysics for Geo-Energy and Geo-Resources Proppant pack conductivity Hydraulic fracturing Stress cycle Dissolution |
| title | Evaluation of sintered bauxite proppant for binary enhanced geothermal systems |
| title_full | Evaluation of sintered bauxite proppant for binary enhanced geothermal systems |
| title_fullStr | Evaluation of sintered bauxite proppant for binary enhanced geothermal systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evaluation of sintered bauxite proppant for binary enhanced geothermal systems |
| title_short | Evaluation of sintered bauxite proppant for binary enhanced geothermal systems |
| title_sort | evaluation of sintered bauxite proppant for binary enhanced geothermal systems |
| topic | Proppant pack conductivity Hydraulic fracturing Stress cycle Dissolution |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s40948-023-00719-9 |
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