Digital and experimental rock analysis of proppant injection into naturally fractured coal

Proppant-laden fluid injection has been applied to many low permeability reservoirs, such as coal seams, to enhance permeability and thus production. While there are several laboratory-scale experimental studies on proppant placement in hydraulic fractures, the possible infiltration of proppant into natural fractures and its effect on overall permeability has received little attention. We study proppant injection into a naturally fractured coal...