Attractor Well Pressure Control for Hydraulic Fracture Direction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fractures in low-permeability hydrocarbon reservoirs often propagate unpredictably, affecting the efficiency of hydrocarbon production due to variations in geometry, conductivity, and extent, necessitating a method to control and direct their propagation for improved recovery.
Innovation Solution
Creating a low pressure region in an attractor well proximate to the treatment well to guide the propagation of hydraulic fractures towards the attractor well, using fluid influx sensors to monitor and optimize the fracture network, and employing a computing system to calculate and adjust subsequent fracturing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydraulic fracturing is performed in low-permeability reservoirs, then hydrocarbon production is enabled, but fracture propagation becomes unpredictable affecting geometry and conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure sensor is deployed in a separate monitor well positioned adjacent to the treatment well to detect pressure changes caused by fracture propagation. This intermediary sensing system provides real-time feedback on fracture behavior without directly interfering with the fracturing process, enabling prediction and control of fracture geometry and conductivity in low-permeability reservoirs
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors pressure changes in the monitor well during hydraulic fracturing operations and uses this feedback information to predict fracture propagation patterns. This real-time feedback loop allows operators to adjust fracturing parameters to achieve desired fracture geometry and improve hydrocarbon production efficiency
2Quantity of substance
If multiple wells are drilled to access different fracture networks, then hydrocarbon recovery is improved, but the number of wells and associated costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A monitor well is installed and equipped with pressure sensors before the hydraulic fracturing operation begins. This preliminary preparation enables real-time monitoring and prediction of fracture propagation, allowing operators to optimize the performance of each treatment well and reduce the total number of wells needed to achieve target hydrocarbon recovery
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
Enhances the efficiency of hydrocarbon production by increasing the propped area and reducing the number of wells required, improving fracture geometry and conductivity, and providing real-time data for optimizing hydraulic fracturing operations.
Implementation Method 1
creating a low pressure region in an attractor well proximate to an area in which hydraulic fractures are desired... a fracture network created by the hydraulic fracturing operation is drawn to propagate toward the low pressure region
Data Source
AI summary
A method involves propagating hydraulic fractures in a reservoir. Such method includes creating a low pressure region in an attractor well. The attractor well is proximate to an area in which hydraulic fractures are desired. The method also includes initiating a hydraulic fracturing operation at a treatment well. The hydraulic fracturing operation is initiated so that a fracture network created by the hydraulic fracturing operation is drawn to propagate toward the low pressure region of the attractor well.