Electrically Conductive Proppant Detection via Electromagnetic Induction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting, locating, and characterizing electrically conductive proppants in hydraulic fractures are limited to short distances from the wellbore, lacking effective techniques for monitoring proppant placement in far-field regions, which hampers the effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing treatments.
Innovation Solution
Development of electromagnetic methods and electrically conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles that can be used as proppants, allowing for the detection, location, and characterization of proppants through electric and magnetic field measurements at the earth's surface or in adjacent wells, combined with the creation of electrically conductive proppants via coating or infusion of conductive materials into ceramic or natural sands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional detection methods are used for proppant placement, then detection is possible near the wellbore, but detection capability is lost at far-field distances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the electrical properties of proppant particles by coating them with conductive materials or infusing them with conductive substances. This parameter change enables the particles to interact with electromagnetic fields, allowing detection at far-field distances through electromagnetic methods that measure electrical conductivity variations in the subsurface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electromagnetic fields as an intermediary medium to detect proppant placement. By applying electromagnetic energy to the subsurface and measuring the resulting electrical and magnetic field responses, the system can locate proppant at distances far from the wellbore, overcoming the limitation of conventional direct measurement methods.
2Ease of manufacture
If non-conductive proppants are used, then proppant placement is simple, but electromagnetic detection is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates composite proppant structures by combining conventional proppant materials (sand, ceramic) with electrically conductive materials through coating or infusion processes. This composite structure maintains the mechanical properties needed for fracture support while adding electrical conductivity for electromagnetic detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the electrical conductivity parameter of proppant particles from non-conductive to conductive through coating with conductive materials or infusion with conductive substances. This parameter modification enables electromagnetic detection while preserving the proppant's primary function of maintaining fracture conductivity.
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 accurate detection and characterization of proppant placement at greater distances, enhancing the understanding and effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing operations by ensuring proper proppant distribution and maintaining fracture conductivity.
Implementation Method 1
electromagnetic (EM) methods for detecting, locating, and characterizing electrically conductive proppants... involve electrically energizing the earth at or near a fracture at the depth of the fracture and measuring the electric and magnetic field responses
Implementation Method 2
creation of electrically conductive proppants via coating or infusion of conductive materials into ceramic or natural sands
Data Source
AI summary
Electrically conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles and methods for producing such electrically conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles from an alumina-containing raw material. Methods for using such electrically conductive sintered, substantially round and spherical particles in hydraulic fracturing operations.