Proppant Transport Research Council (PTRC)
Collaborative, large-scale research to validate proppant transport theories and optimize completions—proven on PropTester’s patented 10’×20’ slot-flow wall.
Over the past decade, hydraulic fracturing has shifted toward finer meshes (40/70 and 100 mesh), sparking new questions around transport efficiency, placement, and conductivity. PTRC brings operators, service companies, and product providers together to answer those questions with controlled, repeatable, large-scale testing.
Members engage in a focused one-year program centered on proppant transport, combining purpose-built equipment, disciplined test plans, and shared data access to accelerate learning and reduce cost.
PTRC at a Glance
- Patented 10’×20’ slot-flow wall
- Large-scale transport & placement studies
- Operator, service & product membership
- Rolling electronic data delivery
- Actionable recommendations for completions
Recruiting is ongoing. For details or membership, email sales@proptester.com.
Project Description
Thirty (30) transport tests are executed on a large-scale, 10’×20’ slot-flow apparatus. Multiple proppants and fluids are evaluated under conditions relevant to current completion designs. The inlet is positioned at the wall centerline to emulate a horizontal wellbore intersecting a transverse fracture.
Project Objectives
- Determine how proppant deposits when pumped into different locations of a transverse fracture (top, middle, bottom).
- Evaluate how various fluids transport proppant through a 10’×20’, tortuous-path slot-flow apparatus.
- Assess the impact of fracture roughness on fracture flow using roughened panels.
- Study near-wellbore conductivity and placement using mixed proppants (e.g., frac sand + ceramic/premium)—continuation of SPE 201641.
- Quantify the impact of higher-TDS brines on friction reducers.
- Compare conductivity values of packs with mixed proppant types and mesh sizes.
- Examine reverse flow/flowback by injecting fluid into the proppant pack in the slot-flow apparatus.
- Study limited-entry perforation phasing with transverse fracture injection.
- Expose fluids to realistic “pipe time” (1,500–2,000 ft continuous pipe) prior to entry and measure viscosity variation.
Project Deliverables
- All testing conducted at PropTester facilities; Members may witness tests.
- Electronic data delivered throughout the project (rolling access).
- Data retained internally until project completion.
- Upon completion, Members receive full-use license to data.
- Documented observations on proppant transport across fluid systems.
- Actionable recommendations to improve fracture stimulation completions.
Resources & Downloads
Click to view printable information and brochures:
Ready to participate? Email sales@proptester.com to discuss membership and upcoming test windows.