Borehole Fracturing with Dilatancy Fluid for Multi-Directional Cracks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic fracturing methods generate fractures only in the direction of maximum principal stress, limiting resource recovery and requiring multiple costly boreholes due to uneven resource distribution and difficulty in connecting fractures to resource storage zones.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a borehole formation step, first fluid introduction, second fluid introduction and pressurization fracturing, and continuous pressurization fracturing to generate fractures in multiple directions using dilatancy fluids that form a closing body to maintain pressure and facilitate further fracturing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If hydraulic fracturing is performed using conventional methods, then a fracture can be generated in the maximum principal stress direction, but it is impossible to control the fracturing direction or generate fractures in other directions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracturing direction controlVSAvoidfracturing method complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A first fluid is introduced into the borehole before the fracturing operation to form a closing body that will subsequently close the fracture after it forms. This preliminary action enables the fracture to close in its initial direction and allows subsequent fractures to form in different directions, achieving multi-directional fracturing control without complex additional equipment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The first fluid acts as an intermediary substance between the borehole wall and the second fracturing fluid. It forms a closing body that selectively closes fractures, mediating the interaction between injected fluids and rock to enable controlled multi-directional fracturing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple boreholes are drilled to reach resource storage zones from different directions, then resource recovery likelihood increases, but the initial cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource recovery likelihoodVSAvoiddrilling cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The fracturing process is segmented into distinct stages: first fluid introduction to form closing body, second fluid introduction to generate fractures, and sequential repeated operations. This segmentation allows a single borehole to achieve multi-directional fracturing coverage equivalent to multiple boreholes, reducing drilling costs while maintaining resource recovery likelihood

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fracturing operation is performed periodically by repeating the sequence of introducing first fluid, introducing second fluid to generate fractures, and allowing fractures to close. This periodic repetition from a single borehole creates multiple fracture sets in different directions, achieving the same effect as multiple simultaneous boreholes at lower cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Quantity of substance

If a single borehole is used for fracturing, then drilling cost is reduced, but the fracturing area is limited to one direction and may not reach resource storage zones

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling costVSAvoidfracturing area

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The fracturing operation transitions from two-dimensional single-direction fracturing to three-dimensional multi-directional fracturing by repeating the fracturing cycle with the first and second fluids. This dimensional expansion allows a single borehole to create fractures in multiple directions, significantly increasing the effective fracturing area and probability of reaching resource storage zones

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

Enables the generation of fractures in multiple directions, increasing the likelihood of resource recovery by expanding the fracturing area to reach resource storage zones efficiently and reducing the need for multiple boreholes.

Implementation Method 1

allowing the first fluid to close the fractured portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDilatancy: Dilatant

Implementation Method 2

introducing and pressurizing a second fluid to the borehole to generate a fractured portion around the borehole

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic fracturing: Pressure Increase

Data Source

PatentUS20260043323A1Method for fracturing rock multi-directionally and device for fracturing rock multi-directionally

Publication Date: 2026.02.12 TOHOKU UNIV

AI summary

A method for fracturing a rock multi-directionally includes: a borehole formation step of forming a borehole in a rock; a first fluid introduction step of introducing a first fluid to the borehole; a second fluid introduction pressurization fracturing step of introducing and pressurizing a second fluid to the borehole to generate a fractured portion around the borehole, and allowing the first fluid to close the fractured portion; and a pressurization fracturing step of continuously introducing and pressurizing the second fluid to the borehole even after the fractured portion is generated, and generating a fractured portion in a direction different from the fractured portion of the rock.