Crosslinked HPG Fracturing Fluids for Low-Damage Proppant Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fracturing fluids for tight oil and gas reservoirs are costly and cause significant damage to the reservoir formations, necessitating the development of a low-cost, low-damage fracturing fluid system.
Innovation Solution
A fracturing fluid system comprising 0.12-0.5 wt % hydroxylpropyl guar (HPG), 0.1-0.6 vol % crosslinker A (such as ulexite), 0.12 wt % organic amine (sodium thiosulfate), and NaOH to adjust pH to 8.5-12.0, which provides stable viscosity at elevated temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional fracturing fluids are used to access oil and gas in tight reservoirs, then fracturing effectiveness is improved, but formation damage and operational cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using HPG polymer instead of conventional guar derivatives, and by optimizing crosslinker concentration and pH levels to achieve the desired viscosity and proppant transport capability with reduced formation damage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a crosslinking system that creates temporary gel structures during the fracturing process, which break down after serving their purpose of proppant transport, thereby reducing long-term formation damage while maintaining effective fracturing
2Productivity
If conventional fracturing fluids are used to access oil and gas in tight reservoirs, then fracturing effectiveness is improved, but operational cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive conventional guar derivatives with HPG polymer and optimized crosslinker systems, reducing material costs while maintaining or improving fracturing effectiveness through better-controlled gel structure formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of HPG polymer (0.12-0.5 wt%) and crosslinker (0.1-0.6 vol%) to achieve the minimum effective viscosity (150-225 cP) required for proppant transport, thereby reducing material costs while maintaining fracturing effectiveness
3Strength
If fracturing fluid viscosity is increased to improve proppant transport, then proppant transport capability is improved, but fluid stability at elevated temperatures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the pH parameter (8.5-12.0) and crosslinker concentration to create a gel structure that maintains viscosity between 150-225 cP at elevated temperatures, achieving both proppant transport capability and thermal stability through controlled crosslinking
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses HPG polymer as an intermediary substance that forms a gel structure through crosslinking, providing the necessary viscosity for proppant transport while the gel's molecular structure maintains stability at elevated temperatures through its crosslinked network
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 proposed fracturing fluid system achieves effective proppant transport with viscosities ranging from 150 to 225 cP, reducing formation damage and operational costs while maintaining stability at elevated temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
a crosslinked hydroxylpropyl guar (HPG) fluid system comprising: 0.12-0.5 wt % HPG; 0.1-0.6 vol % crosslinker A
Implementation Method 2
0.12 wt % organic amine; and NaOH to pH 8.5-12.0
Implementation Method 3
provides stable viscosity at elevated temperatures
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a crosslinked HPG fluid system using a very low concentration of HPG polymer. The fluid system is able to be used at low HPG concentrations while maintaining stable viscosity for over two hours at elevated temperatures.