Salt crystal: Natural proppant for enhancing shale reservoir production

Salt crystals can be functioned as the proppant to support the natural fractures of shale reservoirs. It can alleviate the initial rapid production decline of the shale gas wells and solve the problem of the large particle size of the proppant entering into the natural fractures. This study carried out stress-sensitive experiments on salt crystals and proppant with single layer or high-way support, and it reveals the benefit of salt crystals to relieve the stress sensitivity. The microstructure and fracture surface morphology analysis of salt crystals explains that the compressive strength of salt crystals is caused by the structure difference of the supporting systems. An innovative strategy by using proppant to support hydraulic fractures and salt crystals to support natural fractures is suggested for enhancing shale gas production. • Salt crystals can alleviate the stress sensitivity of shale fractures. • Salt crystals can enter natural fractures of shale reservoirs. • The new innovative support strategy to improve shale gas well production.