Assessment of domestic sand proppant and research progress and prospects in utilizing local sand#br#

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-7703.2021.01.011

Abstract

Abstract: In support of efforts to further reduce the cost of unconventional oil and gas development in China, this paper surveys
recent trends in the use of fracturing proppants in North America and new research on the use of proppants in reservoir stimulation in China and internationally. In doing so, it summarizes the differences in proppant application concepts between domestic and foreign companies. These findings are combined with an appraisal of current unconventional reservoir development in China.The quality of sand from China’s six major quartz sand sources is evaluated and the results of basic theoretical research on the feasibility of use of the various sands reported. Localized sources potential of suitable sand in China are identified and the effect on production and economic benefits of sand proppants generalization is demonstrated by reference to its recent and current application in key oil and gas blocks. The results show that the crushing resistance of domestic quartz sand can reach 4K-5K(equating to approximately 28?35 MPa), and that the quality is equivalent to that of North American common yellow sand. The
national standard for the crushing rate test is reviewed, expanding the application scope of quartz sand. A new principle for the
selection of fracturing proppant is proposed, with improved economic efficiency as the objective. Effective stress analysis shows
that the stress of sand proppant is only 50%?60% of the traditional proppant in horizontal well fracturing. The amount of sand
used in China increased from 650 thousand tons in 2015 to 2.75 million tons in 2019, with an annual cost saving of more than 2
billion yuan. Local sand sources in the giant Junggar, Ordos and Sichuan Basins have also been evaluated and independent sand
plants are being built, with annual production capacity reaching 1.5 million tons, which will enable further substantial cost reductions and efficiency increases in the development of unconventional oil and gas. For example, if the use of sand entirely replaces the use of ceramic proppants in shale gas fracturing, the investment required is expected to reduce to less than 6 billion yuan, a reduction of more than 40%.

CLC Number:

Zheng Xinquan, Wang Xin, Zhang Fuxiang, Yang Nengyu, Cai Bo, Liang Tiancheng, Meng Chuanyou, Lu Haibing, Yi Xinbin, Yan Yuzhong, Wang Jiutao, Jiang Wei, Wang Tianyi. Assessment of domestic sand proppant and research progress and prospects in utilizing local sand#br#[J]. China Petroleum Exploration, 2021, 26(1): 131-137.

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