Shale fracture flow simulation apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus having conduits, flattened tubing or pipes of varying widths, heights and / or lengths may simulate a network of fractures that may be used to experimentally evaluate the flow of treatment fluids (e.g. fracturing fluids) within narrow, shale-type fractures. The tubing or pipes each have an interior space with a height and a width, and in one non-limiting embodiment the ratio of height / width is at least 10. The conduits may be constructed of flattened tubing or constructed from components designed and engineered to have the correct height / width ratio. The apparatus may be used to empirically develop diversion principles, more precise numeric models and the parameter relationships that control fluid diversion, secondary fracture initiation and the development of complex fracture networks.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 805,807 filed Mar. 27, 2013, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention relates in one non-limiting embodiment to methods and apparatus to model and obtain data on the flow of fluids and proppants in subterranean formations, and more particularly relates, in another non-restrictive version, to methods and apparatus to model and obtain data on the flow of fluids and proppants in subterranean formations that can be employed in a laboratory.TECHNICAL BACKGROUND[0003]Hydraulic fracturing of subterranean formations to extract hydrocarbons such as oil and gas is well known. Hydraulic fracturing (or “fracking”) involves a stimulation treatment performed on oil and gas wells in low-permeability reservoirs. Specially engineered fracturing fluids are pumped at high pressures and rates into the reservoir interval to ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes an apparatus for studying the flow of materials in subterranean fractures. It includes a primary conduit with a high-volume interior space and two end pipes. There is also a pump and a sensor placed inside the conduit to collect data about what happens inside it. The apparatus can be used to model the behavior of materials injected into subterranean fractures by pumping fluid through it and analyzing the data collected from the sensor. The technical effects of this invention include improved understanding of the flow of materials in subterranean fractures and more accurate prediction of the behavior of materials injected into them.

Problems solved by technology

Specially engineered fracturing fluids are pumped at high pressures and rates into the reservoir interval to be treated, causing a vertical fracture to open.

Oil and gas in shale is tightly held and difficult to release.

It is possible lack of experimental laboratory data has slowed the industry's learning curve in how to divert fluids and distribute proppants in complex fracture networks.

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