Diversion Agent Zone Control in Wellbore Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diversion methods in wellbore treatment are inefficient and unreliable in selectively targeting specific zones in a subterranean formation, often treating unwanted zones and lacking confidence in diversion agent placement and treatment stage sequencing.
Innovation Solution
The method involves deploying coiled tubing to establish fluid connectivity with target zones and using a diversion agent, monitored by surface and downhole parameters to ensure precise treatment and diversion of fluids, allowing for staged treatment of multiple zones with adjustable pumping schedules and fluid compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If ball sealers are used to seal perforations and divert treatment fluids, then treatment can proceed zone by zone, but ball sealers frequently prematurely seat on open perforations resulting in multiple zones being treated simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a diversion agent as an intermediary substance that selectively blocks perforations in unwanted zones. This diversion agent acts as a mediator between the treatment fluid and the formation, preventing direct contact and ensuring treatment occurs only in target zones. The diversion agent is pumped through the wellbore and selectively deposited in unwanted zones to block perforations, providing reliable zone-by-zone treatment control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in fluid parameters (viscosity, density, composition) to achieve selective diversion. By adjusting these parameters, the treatment fluid can be directed to specific zones while avoiding others. The diversion agent's physical and chemical properties are optimized to ensure it blocks perforations effectively in unwanted zones while allowing controlled flow in target zones.
2Productivity
If treatment fluid is injected into the formation, then hydrocarbon flow is increased, but treatment fluid dissipates in portions of the formation requiring least force to initiate a fracture
Solution Approach 1:
The diversion agent serves as a mediator that redirects treatment fluid flow. By blocking perforations in zones with low fracture forces, the diversion agent prevents treatment fluid from dissipating in those areas. Instead, the fluid is diverted through controlled pathways to target zones where it can effectively stimulate hydrocarbon production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the formation into target zones and non-target zones using the diversion agent. This segmentation allows treatment fluid to be directed to specific segments (target zones) while preventing dissipation in other segments (non-target zones with low fracture forces). The diversion agent creates distinct flow pathways that isolate treatment effects to desired locations.
3Ease of operation
If mechanical diversion devices such as bridge plugs and packers are used, then treatment fluid can be directed to target zones, but the process becomes time consuming and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical diversion devices (bridge plugs, packers) with a chemical diversion agent system. Instead of using mechanical components that require installation, setting, and removal operations, the treatment employs a pumped chemical diversion agent that automatically blocks perforations and directs fluid flow. This substitution dramatically reduces setup time and operational complexity while maintaining effective zone-by-zone treatment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The diversion agent functions as a disposable, single-use blocking mechanism. After performing its diversion function during the treatment process, the agent is discarded or degrades naturally in the formation. This eliminates the need for complex, reusable mechanical devices and their associated installation and removal operations, significantly reducing time and cost.
4Productivity
If chemical stimulation is used to improve flow capacity, then effective permeability is increased, but formation properties are altered in ways that may be undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The diversion agent acts as a protective intermediary that prevents treatment fluid from contacting and altering formation properties in unwanted zones. By selectively blocking perforations in non-target zones, the diversion agent creates a barrier that isolates those zones from chemical stimulation effects, thereby preventing undesirable formation property changes while allowing controlled treatment in target zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality control by using the diversion agent to create spatially differentiated treatment zones. Treatment fluid and its associated chemical stimulation effects are confined to specific local areas (target zones) where they are desired, while non-target zones remain unaffected. This local quality approach ensures formation properties are altered only where beneficial for hydrocarbon production.
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 enables reliable and efficient treatment of target zones by ensuring accurate diversion and monitoring, optimizing treatment stages and reducing unnecessary treatment of undesired zones, thereby enhancing hydrocarbon production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
introducing a diversion agent through the coiled tubing to an interval within the wellbore
Implementation Method 2
treatment fluid flows along the path of least resistance
Implementation Method 3
flow capacity is improved by using chemicals to alter formation properties, such as increasing effective permeability by dissolving materials in or etching the subterranean formation
Implementation Method 4
Hydraulic fracturing involves injecting fluids into a subterranean formation at such pressures sufficient to form fractures in the formation, the fractures increasing flow from the formation to the wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
A method of well treatment includes establishing fluid connectivity between a wellbore and at least one target zone for treatment within a subterranean formation. The method includes injecting a treatment composition into the wellbore. The method includes contacting a subterranean formation with the treatment composition, providing a diversion agent to a desired interval in the wellbore and measuring a wellbore parameter while performing at least one of the contacting the target zone and the providing the diversion agent.