Dissolvable Particulate Diverters for Far-Field Fracture Complexity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current fracturing fluids, particularly slickwater fluids, face challenges in efficiently transporting diverter materials to far-field fractures due to low viscosity, leading to inadequate plug formation and reduced fracture complexity, which can result in decreased hydrocarbon production and increased risk of frac hits.

Innovation Solution

Development of low viscosity frac fluids comprising a mixture of dissolvable particulates and proppants with specific gravity and size ratios optimized for efficient transport and plug formation, including the use of polylactic acid as dissolvable particulates and ultra-lightweight thermoset polymer beads as proppants, to enhance far-field diversion and fracture complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If low viscosity frac fluids are used, then the fluid can be pumped efficiently and transported through the well, but the diverter materials cannot be effectively transported to far-field fractures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepumping efficiencyVSAvoiddiverter material transport reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite diverter material system combining dissolvable particulates (such as starch, cellulose, or synthetic polymers) with proppants. This composite approach allows the diverter materials to be effectively transported in low viscosity fluids while maintaining their plugging function. The dissolvable particulates provide the necessary suspension characteristics and the proppants provide the structural integrity for far-field diversion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the physical parameters of the diverter materials, specifically using dissolvable particulates with controlled particle size, density, and dissolution rate. These parameter changes enable the materials to remain suspended in low viscosity fluids during transport and then effectively plug fractures when they reach the far-field zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If diverter materials are transported to far-field fractures, then fracture complexity is improved, but plug formation becomes inadequate due to low viscosity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture network complexityVSAvoidplug formation reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dissolvable particulates that preliminarily suspend and position the diverter materials in the fracture before the actual plugging action occurs. These particulates dissolve over time, allowing the proppants and other diverter materials to settle and form reliable plugs at the far-field fracture zones, thereby ensuring both fracture complexity and plug formation reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dissolvable particulates act as an intermediary substance that facilitates the transport and subsequent plug formation of diverter materials. They provide temporary suspension and positioning, then dissolve to allow the primary plugging materials to form reliable plugs, thus mediating between transport and plug formation functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If conventional frac fluids are used, then diverter transport is limited, but operational costs increase due to inadequate diversion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon productionVSAvoidoperational costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses dissolvable particulates as temporary, inexpensive carriers that perform their function during transport and then dissolve away. These short-living objects enable effective diverter transport without requiring expensive, complex fluid systems, thereby improving productivity while controlling operational costs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

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 novel fluid system effectively transports diverter materials to fracture tips, forming reliable plugs and maintaining conductivity, thereby improving fracture network complexity and reducing frac hits, leading to increased hydrocarbon production with reduced operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

The novel fluid system effectively transports diverter materials to fracture tips

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid transport of particulates:

Implementation Method 2

comprising a mixture of dissolvable particulates and proppants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution:

Data Source

PatentUS11827845B2Frac fluids for far field diversion

Publication Date: 2023.11.28 BJ ENERGY SOLUTIONS LLC

AI summary

Aqueous well treatment fluids especially suited for use in far field diversion in low viscosity carrier fluids comprise water, a friction reducer, and a diverter. The diverter comprises dissolvable particulates and proppants. The dissolvable particulates have a specific gravity of from about 0.9 to about 1.6 and a particle size of about 50 mesh or less. The proppants have a specific gravity of from about 0.9 to about 1.4 and a particle size of from about 20 to about 100 mesh. The dissolvable particulates have a higher specific gravity and a smaller particle size than the proppant.