Angled Fracturing Tool for Multi-Directional Well Stimulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional methods for inducing additional fractures in subterranean formations often fail to introduce new flow directions for hydrocarbons and do not account for stress alterations around existing fractures, limiting the effectiveness of additional fracture placement.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that initiate a first fracture with a specific orientation, temporarily altering the stress field, followed by a second fracture with a different angular orientation, using a fracturing tool with multiple sections delivering fluid at varying angles and a sleeve to control fluid diversion, allowing for the induction of fractures at distinct angles relative to each other.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional methods are used to induce additional fractures with near-identical angular orientation to previous fractures, then the number of locations for drainage into the wellbore is increased, but new directions for hydrocarbon flow into the wellbore are not introduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon drainage efficiencyVSAvoidflow direction diversity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from fractures with near-identical angular orientations to fractures with deliberately varied angular orientations. This introduces a new dimensional aspect of angular diversity, creating fractures that extend in multiple directions (e.g., first fracture at approximately 0 degrees, second fracture at approximately 45 degrees) to provide both increased drainage locations and new flow directions simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If conventional methods are used to induce additional fractures, then the number of fractures is increased, but stress alterations around existing fractures are not accounted for

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereservoir productionVSAvoidstress field consideration

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by inducing the first fracture before the second fracture, where the first fracture temporarily alters the stress field in the formation. This stress alteration created by the first fracture then influences the orientation and propagation of the second fracture, ensuring that stress changes from previous fracturing operations are accounted for in subsequent fracture induction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the angular orientation parameter of successive fractures. Instead of maintaining near-identical orientations, the method deliberately varies the angular orientation parameter between fractures (e.g., 0 degrees for the first fracture, 45 degrees for the second fracture) to account for stress alterations and create more effective drainage networks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If multiple fractures are created to increase reservoir production, then hydrocarbon flow into the wellbore is improved, but the complexity of fracture induction processes is increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereservoir productionVSAvoidfracture induction process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the fracture induction process into distinct sequential steps: first inducing the first fracture with a specific angular orientation, then inducing the second fracture with a different angular orientation. This segmentation allows each fracture to be optimized independently while working together to increase overall reservoir production, managing complexity through structured progression

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach increases well productivity by creating multiple fractures at different angles, enhancing hydrocarbon drainage and accounting for stress alterations, thereby improving the efficiency of hydrocarbon flow into the wellbore.

Implementation Method 1

The initiation of the first fracture temporarily alters a stress field in the subterranean formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure and stress field alteration: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

inducing fractures in a subterranean formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFracture mechanics: Fracture Mechanics

Data Source

PatentUS7740072B2Methods and systems for well stimulation using multiple angled fracturing

Publication Date: 2010.06.22 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and apparatus for inducing fractures in a subterranean formation and more particularly methods and apparatus to place a first fracture with a first orientation in a formation followed by a second fracture with a second angular orientation in the formation are provided. First and second fractures are initiated at about a fracturing location. The initiation of the first fracture is characterized by a first orientation line. The first fracture temporarily alters a stress field in the subterranean formation. The initiation of the second fracture is characterized by a second orientation line. The first orientation line and the second orientation line have an angular disposition to each other.