A World Leader in Analysis
of Proppant for Hydraulic Fracturing and Gravel-Pack Operations
Stim-Lab has a wealth of experience evaluating the physical properties of proppant delivered to the well site, including on-going conductivity research through the Consortium.
Conductivity
The long-term conductivity of a proppant is determined between either standard lab core (Ohio Sandstone and Bandera Shale) or customer submitted formation core samples in patented multi-cell stacks. Tests are run with and without fluids present at a specified temperature (up to 300°F), closure pressure (up to 16,000 psi), and time.
Tests Include:
- Long-Term Conductivity Between Core per API RP 19D
- Regain Conductivity of Fracturing Fluids
(Fracture treatment simulations are run between core with a specified fracturing fluid and proppant, followed by clean-up with brine, oil or gas.) - Single Stress Point Conductivity
Physical Characteristics of Proppant
Stim-Lab performs testing under the API Standard 19C to evaluate proppant characteristics under specified testing conditions in the laboratory.
Tests Include:
- Sieve analysis – grain size distribution
- Sphericity and roundness (Krumbein shape factor)
- Acid Solubility-indicates the presence of “impurities”
- Turbidity (silt and fine particulate)
- Crush resistance for 10% K value
- Apparent density
- Bulk density-the mass of material that fills a volume, includes both proppant and porosity
- Loss of Ignition
- Crush Resistance – stress specific