Downhole Fracturing Tool with In-Situ Proppant Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional formation testing methods are inefficient and time-consuming due to the need for surface-based fracturing operations, where proppant is mixed into fluid slurry and pumped downhole, leading to fracture closure and loss of permeability in tight formations with low permeabilities.

Innovation Solution

A downhole formation testing tool that performs dual functions of fracturing and proppant placement, using a compartment with a pressurized tank containing proppant slurry and fracture fluid, which seals against the wellbore wall to inject proppant into fractures, allowing for efficient and reliable testing in low permeability zones.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If proppant is mixed into fluid slurry and pumped downhole from surface, then fracture can be filled with proppant, but the process becomes inefficient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture proppant placementVSAvoidoperation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of pumping proppant slurry from surface to downhole, the invention inverts the process by placing both proppant and fracture fluid in a downhole chamber, then using a gas lift mechanism to inject them upward into the fracture. This reversal eliminates the need for surface mixing and pumping operations, significantly improving efficiency while maintaining reliable proppant placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a gas lift mechanism as an intermediary to transfer proppant and fracture fluid from the downhole chamber into the fracture. This intermediary mechanism enables efficient material transport without requiring surface pumping equipment, resolving the contradiction between reliable proppant placement and operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If pressure is exerted to create fracture, then permeability is improved, but fracture closes when pressure is removed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture permeabilityVSAvoidfracture openness

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies preliminary action by placing proppant in the downhole chamber before fracture creation. When the fracture is formed by pressure exertion, the proppant is immediately injected into the fracture to prop it open. This preliminary preparation ensures that permeability improvements are maintained over time, preventing fracture closure when pressure is removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If conventional surface-based fracturing is used, then fracture can be created, but proppant placement is inefficient and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture creationVSAvoidproppant placement time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges fracture creation and proppant placement into a single integrated operation. Both proppant and fracture fluid are stored in a downhole chamber, and when the fracture is created, proppant is immediately injected into the fracture without requiring separate surface-based mixing and pumping operations. This combination eliminates time losses associated with conventional sequential operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The downhole chamber serves itself by containing both proppant and fracture fluid, eliminating the need for surface-based material supply and mixing operations. The system performs its own proppant placement function using the gas lift mechanism, significantly reducing the time required for proppant placement while maintaining reliable fracture creation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 more efficient and reliable formation testing by maintaining fracture permeability and reducing the impact on the hydraulic pump, allowing for effective proppant placement and fracture maintenance, thereby improving data collection in tight formations.

Implementation Method 1

the probe being in fluid communication with the compartments, wherein the downhole tool is configured to produce one or more fractures along the isolated portion of the wellbore wall

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

using a compartment with a pressurized tank containing proppant slurry and fracture fluid... to inject proppant into fractures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure application: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 3

injecting the proppant into the fractures using the downhole tool... maintaining fracture permeability

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure-driven flow: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS10480302B2Fracturing and in-situ proppant injection using a formation testing tool

Publication Date: 2019.11.19 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A formation testing tool which performs the dual function of fracturing and in-situ proppant placement. The testing tool houses proppant slurry having proppant and fracture fluid therein, and a probe which seals against the wellbore wall. During operation, the probe seals against the wellbore wall whereby fluid communication may take place. Using a pump aboard the testing tool, the fracture fluid is forced through the probe and into the formation to produce the fractures. The testing tool, which has a pressurized compartment, then injects the proppant into the fractures.