The effect of proppant embedment upon the long-term conductivity of fractures

Experimental research on proppant embedment in formation core has been done for the first time in China using FCES-100 (Long-Term Fracture Conductivity Evaluation System). In the experiments, the degree of embedment to different cores and the damage to conductivity were studied in the condition of different concentrations and types of proppants. The main factors that affect the embedment as well as the principle have been found. An effective way has been brought forward to reduce this passive effect of embedment on the fracture conductivity, which is significant for both theoretical study and field treatments.