Fracture connectivity testing is conducted to understand the loss of surface area during production, as a function of depletion (stress), time (creep), and completion fluids (rock-fluid interactions). Loss of surface area occurs when the created fractures close and cease to be conductive, due to insufficient proppant support, or by pinching out along specific locations where the rock is considerably more ductile (e.g., fluid sensitive ash beds). Results from this test are used directly in hydraulic fracture simulation, to define the minimum proppant concentration required for preserving fracture connectivity during long-term production.

Fracture Connectivity Testing measures the flow capacity through a propped fracture, as a function of fracture closure stress, completion fluids, rock facies, proppant types, proppant concentration, and as a function of time, under in-situ temperature conditions. Results provide information on proppant-rock interaction (e.g., proppant crushing and embedment), rock-fluid interactions, rock sloughing, fines generation, and other mechanisms associated to fracture closure and loss of fracture connectivity to the wellbore. Results are used to define problematic rock types, to select optimal completion fluids, and to define the minimum proppant concentrations required to limit the risk of losing productive surface area due to pitchouts and other types of fracture closures.