Proppant Conductivity Cell (API RP-61)

The Proppant Conductivity Cell is a test cell for measuring the conductivity of a proppant pack under closure stress, built to the geometry of API RP-61. It gives linear-velocity flow across a 64.5 cm2 (10 in2) formation area. Stimulation laboratories and proppant suppliers use it to see how a proppant sustains fracture conductivity as load and time increase.

How it works

Proppant is placed in the cell at the specified loading. Closure stress is applied to the pack, the cell is held at test temperature, and fluid is flowed through the pack along its length. Conductivity is derived from the flow rate and the pressure drop across the pack and is reported per API RP-61. Closure stress, temperature and flow are the controlled variables. Runs may be repeated at increasing stress or held at fixed stress for long-term conductivity.

The cell is rated to 20,000 psi. Wetted parts are stainless steel or Hastelloy C-276, chosen for the fluids in the test program. It is manufactured by Keen Dynamics (model PrC PIK-API RP61) and supplied by Coretest as CT-STIM-PROPCELL, either alone or as part of a Proppant Conductivity System.

What is included

• API RP-61 conductivity cell with 64.5 cm2 (10 in2) flow area
• Cell body in stainless steel or Hastelloy C-276
• 20,000 psi pressure rating

Specify for your project

• Maximum closure stress and test temperature
• Wetted material: stainless steel or Hastelloy C-276
• Fluids to be flowed and their corrosivity
• Cell alone or complete Proppant Conductivity System with load, flow and instrumentation
• Instrumentation and data acquisition, stated in the project datasheet

This description defines the product family. Guaranteed performance, included hardware, exclusions, interfaces and acceptance criteria are stated only in the project-specific technical proposal and approved datasheet.