Degradable Particle Isolation for Multi-Stage Fracturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-stage fracturing processes often face failure in fluidic isolation between adjacent stages, leading to leakage of stimulation fluid, reduced pressure, and inadequate fracturing, resulting in prolonged stimulation times and potential cancellation of the process.
Innovation Solution
The use of degradable particles is introduced into the wellbore to plug gaps between the rock formation and a packer, ensuring fluidic isolation by preventing stimulation fluid from leaking to adjacent stages, allowing sufficient pressure buildup for effective fracturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional multi-stage fracturing processes are used without degradable particles, then the process is simpler and faster to implement, but fluidic isolation between adjacent stages fails leading to stimulation fluid leakage and inadequate fracturing
Solution Approach 1:
Degradable particles are delivered to the wellbore along the target stage before stimulation fluid is pumped in. These particles proactively plug openings between the formation and packer downstream of the target stage, preventing isolation failure before it occurs. This preliminary action ensures reliable fluidic isolation without requiring complex mechanical isolation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses degradable particles as temporary, disposable isolation elements. These particles are inexpensive and serve their isolation function only for the duration needed to complete stimulation of the target stage. After serving their purpose, they degrade naturally, eliminating the need for complex retrieval mechanisms or permanent isolation structures.
2Productivity
If degradable particles are used to plug openings and ensure fluidic isolation, then stimulation fluid pressure is maintained and fracturing effectiveness is improved, but the process requires additional particles and fluid delivery steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated process. The degradable particles are delivered suspended in a fluid that is then pumped into the wellbore along the target stage. This merged approach delivers both the isolation mechanism (particles) and the stimulation medium (fluid) in one operation, eliminating separate steps for particle delivery and fluid injection.
Solution Approach 2:
The degradable particles remain in place continuously during the stimulation process, maintaining fluidic isolation throughout the entire duration of stimulation fluid injection. This continuous isolation ensures that pressure is consistently maintained at the target stage, allowing uninterrupted fracturing action without pauses or pressure losses.
3Stress or pressure
If stimulation fluid is pumped at high pressure to ensure adequate fracturing, then fracturing effectiveness is improved, but fluid leaks into adjacent stages reducing pressure and fracturing quality
Solution Approach 1:
The degradable particles act as an intermediary barrier between the target stage and adjacent downstream stages. These particles plug openings between the formation and packer, mediating the fluid flow path. This intermediary structure prevents direct communication between stages, ensuring that high-pressure stimulation fluid remains confined to the target stage and does not leak into adjacent stages.
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
This method effectively maintains pressure and prevents fluid leakage, enabling successful fracturing by ensuring that stimulation fluid is diverted to the target stage, thereby maximizing the exposure time and effectiveness of the stimulation fluid within the rock formation.
Implementation Method 1
The degradable particles can plug openings between the formation and a packer located downstream of the target stage in order to isolate the target stage from a previously stimulated, adjacent downstream stage
Implementation Method 2
reacting the treatment fluid with the rock formation along the first section to fracture the rock formation along the first section
Data Source
AI summary
A method of fracturing a rock formation includes delivering particles to a wellbore disposed within the rock formation along a first section of the rock formation, flowing the particles into multiple gaps formed between the formation and a sealing element disposed within the wellbore at an intermediate position between the first section and a second section of the rock formation located downstream of the first section to fluidically isolate the first section from the second section, delivering treatment fluid to the wellbore along the first section of the rock formation, and reacting the treatment fluid with the rock formation along the first section to fracture the rock formation along the first section.