Experimental Study on Synergistic Application of Temporary Plugging and Propping Technologies in SRV Fracturing of Gas Shales

This paper introduces a new technical idea of synergistic application of temporary plugging and propping technologies to SRV fracturing, consequently effectively improving the effective stimulated reservoir volume (ESRV) in gas shales under the existing fracturing conditions. Experimental studies on factors influencing the efficiency of plugging and removal in a temporary plugging zone, as well as the residual propped fracture conductivity have been carried out. The results show that the greater the mass ratio of the temporary plugging agent to the proppant, the higher is the efficiency of the temporary plugging zone in the process of plugging. However, it is recommended to use a slow concentration of the temporary plugging agent since it is conducive to the fracture conductivity recovery of the temporary plugging zone. Thus, based on the plugging and removal efficiency evaluation in the temporary plugging zone and the formation damage rate, the weight combination formula has been developed to determine the optimal combination ratio of the temporary plugging agent with the proppant. The results show that when the optimal mass ratio of the temporary plugging agent to the proppant. The results show that when the optimal mass ratio of the temporary plugging agent to the proppant is 16%, the comprehensive performance values reach the maximum when the temporary plugging zone is composed of 40/70 of 70/140 mesh size proppant and 20/100 mesh size temporary plugging agent. The 16% mass ratio of the temporary plugging agent to the proppant is optimal, which can well meet the application requirements of the temporary plugging and propping technologies to SRV fracturing in gas shales.