Portable device and method for field testing proppant

摘要

A testing system and method for evaluating the time required for shutting in a well after packing fractures in the well with a proppant having curable resin. At the well site, a sample of the proppant is compressed and heated in a portable unit. While the sample is being heated and compressed, its properties are being monitored to determine if the resin in the proppant has cured. Recording the time required for the proppant to cure provides an indication of how long to shut in the well after packing the fractures with the proppant. The portable unit includes a gas to fluid intensifier for compressively stressing the sample and a heat source for heating the sample. Sensors adjacent the proppant sample monitor the properties.

主权项

1. A method of testing a proppant used in a wellbore comprising:
(a) providing a proppant sample testing device that comprises a cylinder containing gas and liquid, a piston in the cylinder separating the gas and the liquid, a ram member selectively moveable in response to pressure changes of the liquid in the cylinder, an oedometer, and monitor coupled with the oedometer; (b) transporting the testing device to a wellsite having a wellbore in which proppant is being disposed; and (c) disposing a sample of the proppant in the proppant sample testing device, subjecting the sample of the proppant to an estimated wellbore environment in the proppant sample testing device; (d) applying stress to the proppant by pressurizing the gas in the cylinder so that the liquid in the cylinder is at the same pressure as the gas in the cylinder; (e) maintaining a magnitude of the stress applied to the proppant at a constant value throughout a compaction phase to smoothly load the proppant to failure; (f) measuring an unconfined compressive strength based on the step of loading the proppant to failure; (g) monitoring properties of the sample of the proppant over time; and (h) determining a cure time of the proppant based on the step of monitoring the tensile strength of the proppant.