Diverting Composition via Dual-Stream Injection for Wellbore Plugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
In hydraulic and acid fracturing, achieving high concentrations of diverting agents in wellbore fluids for effective plugging and diversion is challenging due to limitations in traditional solid feeders and the instability of plugs formed by removable diverting materials, leading to reduced bridging ability and poor stability during diversion procedures.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for injecting a diverting composition by combining a diluted fluid stream and a high-loading stream, where the diluted stream includes degradable fibers and a viscosifying agent, and the high-loading stream includes additional degradable fibers and a gelling agent, to form a diverting composition that is introduced into the wellbore, enabling effective plugging and diversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional solid feeders are used to inject diverting agents, then the injection process is simple, but the concentration of diverting agents cannot achieve high loading levels
Solution Approach 1:
The injection system is divided into two separate streams: a diluted fluid stream and a high-loading stream. Each stream is prepared and injected independently, then combined in the wellbore. This segmentation allows the high-loading stream to achieve high diverting agent concentration (e.g., 40-1000 lbs/1000 gal) without overwhelming the injection system, while the diluted stream provides the necessary fluid volume and carries additional diverting agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The diluted fluid stream acts as an intermediary carrier that facilitates the injection of high concentrations of diverting agents. By splitting the injection into two streams, the system uses the diluted stream as a mediator to transport and combine with the high-loading stream, enabling high diverting agent concentrations to be achieved without requiring a completely redesigned injection system.
2Reliability
If removable diverting materials are used for diversion, then the materials can be removed after treatment, but the plugs formed have poor stability and reduced bridging ability
Solution Approach 1:
The diverting composition uses a composite approach by combining multiple types of diverting agents (degradable fibers, manufactured shapes, particles) in a single injection system. The degradable fibers provide structural integrity and bridging ability, while the manufactured shapes and particles contribute to plug formation. This composite material strategy enhances overall plug stability and bridging ability while maintaining the ability to remove diverting materials after treatment through degradation or dissolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system controls the degradation rate and physical properties of the diverting materials by selecting appropriate materials and adjusting their concentrations. The degradable fibers are chosen to maintain plug stability during the treatment period, then degrade or dissolve afterward. By controlling parameters such as fiber length, concentration, and degradation rate, the system achieves both stable plug formation during treatment and subsequent removability.
3Quantity of substance
If high concentrations of diverting agents are injected, then effective plugging and diversion are achieved, but the injection rate becomes difficult to maintain at high rates exceeding 50 bbl/min
Solution Approach 1:
The injection system is divided into two separate streams: a diluted fluid stream and a high-loading stream. Each stream is prepared and injected independently, then combined in the wellbore. This segmentation allows the high-loading stream to achieve high diverting agent concentration (e.g., 40-1000 lbs/1000 gal) without overwhelming the injection system, while the diluted stream provides the necessary fluid volume and carries additional diverting agents.
Solution Approach 2:
The diverting agents are pre-loaded into the high-loading stream at high concentrations before injection. This preliminary concentration allows the system to inject high amounts of diverting agents without requiring high injection rates for the entire fluid volume. The high-loading stream is prepared in advance with the required diverting agent concentration, enabling effective plugging while maintaining overall high injection rates.
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 allows for the successful formation of stable plugs with high-loading diverting agents, enhancing the bridging ability and stability of the diversion, thereby improving the efficiency of fracturing operations by ensuring uniform injection and maintaining fracture conductivity.
Implementation Method 1
the diluted stream includes degradable fibers and a viscosifying agent
Implementation Method 2
the high-loading stream includes additional degradable fibers and a gelling agent
Implementation Method 3
the diversion is generally based upon bridging of some particles of the diverting material and forming a plug by accumulating the rest of the particles at the formed bridge
Implementation Method 4
forming a plug by accumulating the rest of the particles at the formed bridge
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for treating a subterranean formation. The method may include utilizing a diluted stream and a high-loading stream which are combined to form a diverting composition. The diverting composition may then be injected into a wellbore. The system may include devices to prepare the diluted stream and high-loading stream, combine the streams, and introduce the combined stream into the wellbore.