Methods for Pillar Placement in Fracturing

Abstract

Methods for placing proppant aggregates using a diverting fluid comprising a diverting agent and a packing fluid. Proppant aggregates are introduced into a fracture that is fluidically connected to a wellbore through a plurality of perforations. Thereafter, a diverting diverting fluid is introduced into the wellbore to seal some perforations and leave at least one unsealed perforation. Once some perforations are sealed, a packing fluid is introduced into the fracture through the at least one unsealed perforation, thereby forming the proppant aggregates to move together and form a proppant bed within the fracture.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]The present invention relates to fracturing operations and, more particularly, to compositions and methods related to proppant pillar placement using diverting agents.[0002]In a typical hydraulic fracturing operation, a proppant (sometimes referred to as a “propping agent”) is suspended in a portion of a fracturing fluid, and may then be transported and deposited in fractures within the subterranean formation. Proppants are traditionally particulates that collectively form proppant packs that can serve as a physical barrier to prevent the fractures from fully closing so that conductive channels are formed around the proppants through which produced hydrocarbons can flow. Thus, the degree of success of a fracturing operation depends, at least in part, upon the resultant fracture porosity and conductivity once the fracturing operation is stopped and production is begun. Typical hydraulic fracturing operations place a large volume of proppants into a fracture to form a ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to fractoring operations and methods for placing proppant aggregates using diverting agents. The technical effects of this invention include improved placement of proppant aggregates, reduced damage to the wellbore, and better well-bore clean-up. Diverting agents are used to create a sealed perforation, which allows the proppant aggregates to form a proppant bed within the fracture. The presence of the degradable diverting agent also allows for better unsealing of the perforation.

Problems solved by technology

This results in a significant increase of the effective hydraulic conductivity and porosity of the overall fracture.

However, there are certain technical challenges that limit the usefulness of proppant pillars in fracturing operations.

For example, proppant settling can be a significant problem for heterogeneous proppant placement operations that use reduced volumes of proppants.

Thus, settling can lead to fracture closure, particularly at or near the top portion of a fracture, which can significantly lower the conductivity and porosity of the propped fracture.

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