Degradable Ceramic Particle Blend for Hydraulic Fracturing Diversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore treatment methods face challenges in preventing fluid loss and diverting treatment fluids effectively in highly permeable regions of subterranean formations, particularly in hydraulic fracturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a mixture of degradable particles of specific sizes and ceramic elongated particles is introduced into the wellbore, forming a plug that temporarily bridges fractures, acts as a diversion agent, and helps maintain fracture openness, with the degradable particles dissolving to allow ceramic particles to remain and enhance fluid conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If treatment fluid is introduced into highly permeable regions, then fracture stimulation is achieved, but treatment fluid is lost into the formation
Solution Approach 1:
A blend of particulates and flake diverts treatment fluid from high permeability zones to low permeability zones. The particulates (3-20mm) and flake (up to 10 times smaller) act as intermediaries that selectively block high permeability regions, forcing fluid into previously untreated areas, thereby preventing fluid loss while maintaining stimulation effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment fluid contains a heterogeneous blend of particulates with different sizes and flake materials, each serving specific local functions. The larger particulates provide primary diversion in high permeability zones, while smaller particles and flake provide secondary diversion and seal, creating localized quality variations that address different regions of the formation differently
2Reliability
If proppant is used to maintain fracture openness, then fracture conductivity is improved, but fluid loss control is insufficient in high permeability regions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges proppant function with diversion and fluid loss control functions into a single treatment fluid blend. The combination of particulates, flake, and proppant creates a multi-functional system that simultaneously diverts fluid, controls fluid loss, and maintains fracture conductivity, eliminating the need for separate treatment stages
3Ease of manufacture
If uniform particle size is used in treatment fluid, then mixing is simplified, but effective diversion and plugging is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment fluid is segmented into distinct particle size categories: larger particulates (3-20mm) for primary diversion, smaller particulates for secondary diversion, and flake for sealing and plugging. This segmentation allows each size fraction to perform specific functions in the diversion sequence, improving overall effectiveness while maintaining relatively simple mixing procedures
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 effectively reduces permeability in targeted areas, diverting fluid flow and ensuring effective stimulation of all perforation clusters, while the ceramic particles maintain fracture conductivity after degradable particles dissolve.
Implementation Method 1
the degradable particles dissolving to allow ceramic particles to remain and enhance fluid conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions and methods are provided for plugging a fracture network in a wellbore. Exemplary compositions comprise a mixture of particles, some of the particles being degradable and other particles being elongated, having good compressive strength, and not being readily degradable at the conditions of the formation. The mixture of particles can temporarily bridge or plug fractures within the formation, and thus acts as a temporary diversion agent. After the degradable particles dissolve, the particles which are not readily degradable can remain in the fracture, helping to keep the fracture open and acting as a proppant.