Degradable Particulate Fracturing for Ultra-Low Permeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultra-low permeable formations, such as shale reservoirs, pose challenges in increasing fracture complexity due to their low matrix permeability, which limits the effectiveness of conventional fracturing methods.
Innovation Solution
Pumping fracturing fluids with a degradable solid particulate that bridges the pore throats of a proppant pack, allowing for increased fracture complexity and hydrocarbon production, while maintaining a packed volume fraction below 73% to avoid excessive permeability reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If degradable particulate is used to plug pore throats in ultra-low permeable formations, then fracture complexity and hydrocarbon production are improved, but permeability reduction occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The degradable particulate acts as an intermediary substance that temporarily plugs pore throats during fracturing operations to enhance fracture complexity and hydrocarbon production. The particulate is introduced into the fracturing fluid and selectively deposits in the formation, creating temporary plugging that diverts fluid flow to create more complex fracture networks. After serving its purpose, the particulate degrades and disappears, restoring permeability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes parameter changes by employing particulate with specific size ranges (0.1-2.0 mm median diameter) and controlled degradation properties. The particulate size is optimized to bridge pore throats effectively while the degradation characteristics are tuned to maintain plugging during fracturing but allow permeability restoration afterward. This controlled parameter change enables temporary permeability reduction followed by recovery.
2Strength
If proppant pack volume fraction is increased to support fractures, then fracture stability is improved, but permeability reduction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The degradable particulate provides localized plugging at pore throats rather than uniform distribution throughout the proppant pack. This local quality approach allows the proppant pack to maintain overall structural support while the particulate creates specific zones of temporary plugging to enhance fracture complexity. The localized action minimizes overall permeability reduction while achieving the desired fracture network development.
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 approach temporarily plugs the proppant pack to enhance fracture complexity, allowing for deeper penetration and increased hydrocarbon production, confirmed through microseismic techniques and laboratory experiments.
Implementation Method 1
a degradable solid particulate that bridges the pore throats of a proppant pack
Implementation Method 2
This approach temporarily plugs the proppant pack to enhance fracture complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method of increasing the fracture complexity in a treatment zone of a subterranean formation is provided. The subterranean formation is characterized by having a matrix permeability less than 1.0 microDarcy. The method includes the step of pumping one or more fracturing fluids into a far-field region of a treatment zone of the subterranean formation at a rate and pressure above the fracture pressure of the treatment zone. A first fracturing fluid of the one or more fracturing fluids includes a first solid particulate, wherein: (a) the first solid particulate includes a particle size distribution for bridging the pore throats of a proppant pack previously formed or to be formed in the treatment zone; and (b) the first solid particulate comprises a degradable material. In an embodiment, the first solid particulate is in an insufficient amount in the first fracturing fluid to increase the packed volume fraction of any region of the proppant pack to greater than 73%. Similar methods using stepwise fracturing fluids and remedial fracturing treatments are provided.