Method of enhancing conductivity from post frac channel formation

A method of pillar fracturing a hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation penetrated by a well, the method comprising:

• (A) after the creation or enlargement of fractures within the subterranean formation, simultaneously pumping into a well penetrating the hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir a first fluid and a second fluid wherein the first fluid is more stable than the second fluid:
• (i) the first fluid and second fluid contain a proppant mixture comprising at least two proppants wherein (i) the first proppant has an apparent specific gravity greater than the apparent specific gravity of the second proppant;
• and/or (ii) the average particle size of the first proppant is greater than the average particle size of the second proppant;
• and
• (ii) the first fluid has a volumetric mass density greater than the volumetric mass density of the second fluid or the first fluid is more viscous than the second fluid;
• (B) viscous fingering the first and second fluids within the created or enlarged fracture and developing a placement pattern for the first proppant of the first fluid and the second fluid in the fracture;
• (C) shutting in the well;
• (D) releasing the first proppant from the second fluid;
• (E) consolidating the released first proppant from the second fluid on an upper portion of the first fluid and/or at a pinch point in the width of the fracture;
• (F) creating at least two vertically extending pillars within the formation from the first proppant released from the second fluid wherein the placement of the at least two vertically extending pillars is determined by the viscous fingering pattern of the first fluid and the second fluid of step (B);
• (G) degrading the first fluid and building at least two vertically extending pillars from the first proppant released from the first fluid;
• (H) creating conductive channels within the subterranean formation between the at least two vertically extending pillars;
• and
• (I) bracing open the fracture between the at least two vertically extending pillars with the second proppant from the first fluid and/or second fluid.

A method of increasing the conductivity of a fracture network within a subterranean formation penetrated by a well which comprises:

• (A) after creating one or more fractures in a subterranean formation by subjecting the subterranean formation to a hydraulic fracturing operation, continuously and simultaneously introducing into the well a first aqueous proppant-laden slurry and a second aqueous proppant-laden slurry wherein the first slurry exhibits greater stability than the second slurry and further wherein:
• (i) the proppant mixture of the first slurry and the proppant mixture of the second slurry are the same and comprises a first proppant and a second proppant wherein the first proppant has an apparent specific gravity greater than the apparent specific gravity of the second proppant;
• and/or
• (ii) the proppant mixture of the first slurry and the proppant mixture of the second slurry are the same and comprises a first proppant and a second proppant wherein the average particle size of the first proppant is greater than the average particle size of the second proppant;
• (B) releasing the first proppant, after termination of the hydraulic fracturing operation but while the created one or more fractures are open, from the second slurry and while both the second slurry and first slurry are in a static state;
• (C) forming at least two pillars within the subterranean formation from the second slurry and the first slurry from the first proppant;
• (D) creating a conductive channel between the at least two pillars;
• and
• (E) maintaining the conductive channel between the at least two pillars with the second proppant remaining in the first slurry and the second slurry.

A method of pillar fracturing a hydrocarbon-bearing subterranean formation penetrated by a well, the method comprising:

• (A) subsequent to the creation or enlargement of fractures within the subterranean formation, simultaneously pumping into a well penetrating the hydrocarbon-bearing formation at least two fluids laden with a proppant mixture wherein the at least two fluids comprise a first fluid exhibiting greater stability than a second fluid and further wherein:
• (i) the proppant mixture of the first fluid and the proppant mixture of the second fluid are the same and comprises a first proppant and a second proppant wherein the first proppant has an apparent specific gravity greater than the apparent specific gravity of the second proppant;
• or
• (ii) the first proppant and the second proppant of the first fluid and the second fluid are the same and wherein the average particle size of the first proppant is greater than the average particle size of the second proppant;
• (B) controlling the shape and/or placement of a proppant pillar to be created within the subterranean formation during the simultaneous pumping of the first fluid and the second fluid while the first fluid and the second fluid are in a dynamic state by fingering the first fluid and the second fluid into the created or enlarged fractures;
• (C) releasing the first proppant from the second fluid while the second fluid is in a static state;
• (D) creating at least two vertically extended pillars within the subterranean8 formation from the first proppant released from the second fluid;
• (E) releasing the first proppant suspended in the first fluid while the more first fluid is in a static state;
• (F) building onto the at least two vertically extended pillars from the first proppant released from the first fluid;
• (G) creating conductive channels within the subterranean formation between the vertically extending pillars;
• and
• (H) bracing open the fracture between the vertically extended pillars with the second proppant from the first fluid and/or second fluid.