Downhole Acoustic Generator for Wellbore Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for enhancing hydrocarbon flow in subterranean wells, such as hydraulic fracturing and acidizing, are inefficient and require significant resources, often intersecting undesirable zones and requiring expensive equipment.
Innovation Solution
The use of a downhole acoustic generator to transmit acoustic waves into the formation, enhancing fluid flow, mixing conformance agents, and increasing proppant penetration and conductivity, while reducing the need for hydraulic fracturing and improving production ratios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydraulic fracturing is used to enhance hydrocarbon flow, then production is improved, but large quantities of fluid are required and expensive specialized equipment is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical hydraulic fracturing system with an acoustic field-based system. Acoustic waves are used to create micro-fractures and enhance permeability without requiring large volumes of hydraulic fluid. The acoustic generator transmits high-energy sound waves into the formation, creating stress cycles that open and close micro-fractures, allowing hydrocarbons to flow more freely without the need for traditional fracturing fluids.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of hydraulic fracturing (creating pathways for fluid flow) while removing the harmful element (large quantities of hydraulic fluid). The acoustic field provides the necessary mechanical action to create and maintain permeability pathways without introducing the fluid volume problem associated with conventional fracturing.
2Productivity
If hydraulic fracturing is used to expose more surface area, then flow is enhanced, but fractures can unintentionally intersect undesirable zones
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic fracturing system applies energy locally and controllably through the wellbore. The acoustic generator can be positioned and oriented to direct acoustic energy into specific formation zones, creating micro-fractures only in the desired areas. This localized application of acoustic energy prevents unintended intersection with water or gas zones that might occur with conventional hydraulic fracturing's more diffuse pressure distribution.
3Ease of manufacture
If acoustic waves are transmitted into cement to mix hardening agent, then cement setting is improved, but energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic generator operates in periodic pulses rather than continuously, transmitting acoustic energy into the cement at intervals. This periodic action is sufficient to mix the hardening agent and initiate setting while minimizing overall energy consumption. The pulsed acoustic waves create periodic stress cycles that effectively distribute the hardening agent without requiring constant energy input.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The acoustic generator effectively increases hydrocarbon production by enhancing the distribution and penetration of stimulation fluids and proppants, improving conductivity and reducing the need for extensive hydraulic fracturing, thereby optimizing well performance and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic generator is used to excite a formation with acoustic waves transmitted from the acoustic generator
Implementation Method 2
The hardening agent may be released as a result of heating the cement using acoustic waves, and/or the cement may be cured using heat from the acoustic waves
Implementation Method 3
acoustic waves are transmitted into a formation during a fracturing process which includes proppant, thereby increasing depth of penetration and/or density of proppant
Implementation Method 4
acoustic waves transmitted into a formation increases wetting and mixing of conformance agents
Data Source
AI summary
A well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be used to excite a formation with acoustic waves transmitted from the acoustic generator. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can transmit acoustic waves into cement surrounding a casing. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be used to transmit acoustic waves into an annulus surrounding a well screen during or after a gravel packing operation. Another well system and associated method can include an acoustic generator which can be connected in a drill string in close proximity to a drill bit, with the acoustic generator transmitting acoustic waves into a formation ahead of the bit.