Cement Divalent Ion Polymer Treatment Fluid Fracture Propping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current well stimulation methods using fracturing fluids do not effectively maintain fracture openness and fluid conductivity, leading to suboptimal hydrocarbon production.
Innovation Solution
A treatment fluid comprising cement, a source of divalent ions, and a polymer is used to increase viscosity and gel strength, allowing for improved fracture propping and fluid conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fracturing fluids are used to create and propagate fractures, then the fracture can be initially opened, but the fracture does not remain propped open effectively and fluid conductivity is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment fluid is prepared with cement and divalent ion sources incorporated before injection, so that the gelation and propping action occurs in advance within the fracture rather than requiring subsequent intervention. The fluid is designed to gel in situ, preliminarily establishing the propped fracture structure before production begins.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment fluid combines multiple components (polymer, cement, divalent ions, water) into a composite system where the polymer provides initial viscosity for fracture propagation, the cement provides structural support and propping, and the divalent ions trigger gelation to lock the proppant in place, creating a composite propped fracture structure.
2Reliability
If more polymer and materials are used to improve fracture propping, then fracture conductivity may improve, but material volume and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment fluid utilizes chemical parameter changes, specifically the addition of divalent ions that trigger gelation of the polymer-cement system. This chemical transformation allows the fluid to transition from a flowable state during injection to a gel state for propping, achieving effective fracture support with reduced material volumes compared to conventional approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The divalent ions act as an intermediary that triggers the gelation process, enabling the polymer and cement to form a gel structure that props the fracture. This intermediary mechanism allows for efficient material utilization by activating the propping function through a chemical trigger rather than requiring excessive amounts of polymer or cement.
3Strength
If treatment fluid viscosity is increased to improve fracture propagation, then more polymer is required, but this increases material usage and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines polymer and cement into a composite viscosifying system where both components contribute to the overall viscosity and gel strength. This composite approach allows for achieving the required viscosity with lower individual polymer concentrations compared to using polymer alone, thereby reducing material costs while maintaining fracture propagation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment fluid achieves enhanced viscosity through parameter changes including the interaction between polymer and cement, and the gelation triggered by divalent ions. This chemical parameter change allows the system to achieve high viscosity and gel strength with reduced polymer concentrations, as the cement and gelation process contribute additional viscosifying effect.
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 solution enhances fracture conductivity and reduces polymer and material usage, achieving stable gel formation and efficient hydrocarbon production with less material volume.
Implementation Method 1
adding cement and a source of divalent ions to a treatment fluid containing a polymer and water thereby increasing the viscosity of the treatment fluid
Implementation Method 2
increasing the viscosity of the treatment fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A thickened composition comprising a polymer, a divalent ions source, water and cement is disclosed. Such composition enables fluid loss reduction and higher gel strength. This may be useful for treating a well for example as a fluid spacer or a scavenger; this may also be used a hydraulic fracturing fluid.