Treatment Fluid Diversion via Nanoparticulate Suspension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional subterranean treatment methods face challenges in achieving uniform distribution of treatment fluids due to varying permeability, porosity, and reservoir pressures, leading to preferential entry into low fluid flow resistance areas, which hinders effective treatment of intervals with higher resistance.

Innovation Solution

A 3-dimensional flow model is used to predict the required fluid viscosity to suspend particulate diverting agents, incorporating nanoparticulate suspending agents and viscosifiers, to enhance both near- and far-field diversion by adjusting the concentration of these agents and viscosifiers, ensuring optimal fluid properties for uniform treatment fluid distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If treatment fluid is injected into subterranean formation with varying permeability and porosity, then the treatment fluid enters low fluid flow resistance areas preferentially, but uniform distribution of treatment fluid throughout the entire interval cannot be obtained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment fluid distribution uniformityVSAvoidtreatment effectiveness in high resistance areas

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces particulate diverting agents as intermediary materials that selectively accumulate at fracture intersections and high-permeability zones. These particles act as mediators by physically blocking preferential flow paths, thereby redirecting treatment fluid to previously untreated low-permeability areas and achieving more uniform distribution throughout the formation interval.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies fluid rheological parameters by adjusting viscosity and incorporating suspending agents to optimize the transport and deposition characteristics of particulate diverting agents. By changing fluid parameters such as viscosity and particle suspension stability, the system controls where particles accumulate to create effective diversion at the desired locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If particulate diverting agents are injected to block high-permeability portions, then diversion to more fluid flow-resistant portions is achieved, but particle settling may occur reducing diversion effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediversion effectivenessVSAvoidparticle suspension stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses a 3-dimensional flow model as a virtual copy of the actual subsurface fracture network to predict particle transport and deposition patterns. This computational model allows optimization of particle and fluid properties before field implementation, reducing the risk of premature particle settling and ensuring reliable diversion performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Stability of the object's composition

If fluid viscosity is increased to suspend particulate diverting agents, then particle suspension and transport is improved, but fluid flow resistance increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveparticle suspension stabilityVSAvoidfluid injection pressure requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes fluid viscosity within a specific range that provides sufficient particle suspension and transport while minimizing excessive pressure requirements. By carefully selecting and adjusting viscosity parameters, the system achieves the necessary particle control without incurring prohibitively high energy costs for fluid injection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach effectively suspends and transports particulate diverting agents, achieving desired diversion patterns, either near-field or far-field, by optimizing fluid properties, thereby ensuring uniform treatment across subterranean formations with varying characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

A 3-dimensional flow model is used to predict the required fluid viscosity to suspend particulate diverting agents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity:

Implementation Method 2

predict the required fluid viscosity to suspend particulate diverting agents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuspension: Suspension

Implementation Method 3

incorporating nanoparticulate suspending agents and viscosifiers, to enhance both near- and far-field diversion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNanoparticulate suspension: Nanoporous Material

Implementation Method 4

adjusting the concentration of these agents and viscosifiers, ensuring optimal fluid properties for uniform treatment fluid distribution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosification:

Data Source

PatentUS11421515B2Methodology for developing treatment fluid compositions to enhance near- and far-field diversion downhole

Publication Date: 2022.08.23 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A method comprises: deriving fluid properties that provide for suspension of particulate diverting agents using a 3-dimensional flow model and based on a downhole temperature and at least one size characteristic of the particulate diverting agents; identifying a treatment fluid composition that comprises a nanoparticulate suspending agent and achieves the fluid properties using a relationship between the treatment fluid composition and the fluid properties; and preparing a treatment fluid or a treatment fluid additive based on the treatment fluid composition.