Controlling fracture geometry with the use of shrinkable materials

Abstract

A method for treating a subterranean formation utilizing a composition having a plurality of shrinkable materials. The method of treatment may include providing a hydraulic fracture into the subterranean formation, and injecting a slurry having a plurality of shrinkable materials into a far field. The shrinkable materials may shrink once a threshold is reached.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]Hydrocarbons (oil, condensate and gas) are typically produced from wells that are drilled into the formations containing them. For a variety of reasons, such as inherently low permeability of the reservoirs or damage to the formation caused by drilling and completion of the well, the flow of hydrocarbons into the well may be low. In this case, the well can be stimulated, using a variety of techniques, including hydraulic fracturing.[0002]During the drilling of a wellbore, various fluids may be used for multiple functions. The fluids may be circulated through a drill pipe and a drill bit into the wellbore, and then may subsequently flow upward through the wellbore to the surface. During the circulation, the a fluid may act to remove drill cuttings from the bottom of the hole to the surface, to suspend cuttings and weighting material when circulation is interrupted, to control subsurface pressures, to maintain the integrity of the wellbore until the well section is cas...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method for fracturing underground formations using a slurry containing shrinkable materials. The slurry is injected into the formation through a wellbore to create fractures, which can then be controlled to have a desired shape. The technical effect of this method is improved control over the fracture geometry, which can enhance the efficiency of oil and gas drilling.

Problems solved by technology

However, when removable materials are used in a typical treatment diversion, the bridging ability of the diverting slurry may be reduced because of dilution with a wellbore fluid.

Further, poor stability of the plug formed from various diverting materials is another concern during such a diversion procedure.

High loading of the solid diverting materials may lead to multiple particle blocking of porous media.

However, achieving a high loading of solid diverting materials within a stream of treatment fluid is challenging.

The ability to add a solid into a treatment fluid in a continuous manner with traditional solid feeders so as to be functional in a particular operation downhole (such as a diverting and / or plugging operation) is difficult because the solid feeders are limited in their feeding rates.

However, such known materials may not reliably operate efficiently, may cause congestion when passing through fracturing pumps and the like, and may necessitate substantial user intervention.

Images