Proppant scaling is a geochemical reaction

Proppant scaling is a geochemical reaction that occurs between an uncoated ceramic proppant pack and the formation in a wet, hot downhole fracture environment. While this reaction normally happens slowly in shallower formations, it accelerates under the higher pressures and temperatures. The result of proppant scaling is a severe loss of proppant pack porosity and permeability as fines and debris are created in the proppant pack. Uncoated lightweight ceramics can lose up to 90% proppant pack permeability in just a few days. Resin coated proppant drastically reduce the impact of downhole proppant scaling, resulting in improved fracture flow capacity and significantly higher long-term productivity.