Abstract: The present application discloses a method and apparatus for determining the settling rate of proppants in hydraulic fracturing. The method comprises: acquiring the target mesh size of the proppant; obtaining the bulk density of the proppant, and the density and viscosity of the carrier fluid under reservoir conditions; retrieving the proppant concentration (sand ratio) during injection; and applying a pre-established predictive model specific to the selected mesh size. The model inputs include proppant bulk density, carrier fluid density, reservoir-temperature viscosity, and sand ratio, and the output is the estimated settling velocity. This method effectively addresses the technical challenge of predicting proppant transport behavior under downhole conditions, thereby enhancing proppant placement accuracy and improving fracture conductivity in low-permeability formations.

Abstract: This utility patent discloses a method, device, and computing apparatus for calculating fracturing fluid leak-off volume in reservoir matrices, within the field of petroleum exploitation. The method includes: acquiring pressure data from measurement points in core samples during fracturing fluid damage tests; determining fluid-induced damage length based on the data; calculating permeability variation parameters as a function of invasion depth; computing fluid invasion depth using fracturing fluid density, viscosity, and permeability variation; and calculating total leak-off volume based on average fracture height and length of primary and branch fractures. The method enables fast and accurate estimation of fluid loss by incorporating key factors such as permeability variation with depth, fluid density, and viscosity, offering a reliable foundation for hydraulic fracturing design.