A review on proppant transport modelling

Proppant transport is a critical physical process in hydraulic fracturing which has been extensively used for reservoir stimulation petroleum engineering. Proppants injected together with fluid provide structural support to the stimulated fracture network and prevent them from closing after flowback. Hence, final proppant distribution networks affects directly effectiveness of fracturing. Owing limitation high cost well logging, computational modelling increasingly study transport, where different assumptions numerical models have employed often without rigorous validation or justification. This work presents comprehensive review on modelling, relevant physics approaches, aiming an unbiased global picture the-state-of-the-art studies, inspire new insights, promote development innovative reliable transport.