Drill String Packer for Simultaneous Wellbore Fracturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for fracturing subterranean formations during wellbore drilling often require separate steps for sealing and pressurizing, which can be inefficient and may not allow for precise control over fracture creation and extension.

Innovation Solution

A method that integrates drilling and fracturing by using a drill string with a drill bit and packer system to form a sealed space within the wellbore, allowing for pressurization that exceeds the rock's tensile stress, thereby fracturing the formation while drilling, and optionally using sliding blades for additional sealing and precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If separate steps for sealing and pressurizing are used in conventional fracturing methods, then the fracturing process can be completed, but the operational efficiency is reduced and precise control over fracture creation is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoidtime for separate sealing and pressurizing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the sealing function and pressurizing function into a single integrated drill string assembly. The drill string includes both a seal element (packer) and a pressurization system (fluid injection nozzle) that work simultaneously during drilling operations, eliminating the need for separate sealing and pressurizing steps and thereby improving operational efficiency while reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If a packer system is used to form a sealed space, then precise control over fracture creation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of fracture creationVSAvoidcomplexity of packer system

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drill string is designed as a multi-functional device that simultaneously performs drilling, sealing, and pressurizing functions. The drill string includes a drill bit for drilling, a packer for sealing, and a fluid injection system for pressurizing, allowing a single device to accomplish multiple tasks that would otherwise require separate equipment, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If sliding blades are added to the drill bit for additional sealing, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity of the drill bit increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidease of drill bit manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is divided into multiple independent sealing elements: a primary packer system and secondary sliding blades integrated into the drill bit. These segmented sealing components work in conjunction with each other, where the sliding blades provide additional sealing at the drill bit interface while the packer provides sealing higher in the wellbore, thereby improving overall sealing reliability through redundancy without requiring complete redesign of the entire sealing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables simultaneous drilling and fracturing, allowing for more precise and efficient creation of fractures, potentially increasing hydrocarbon production by extending fractures into the formation while minimizing operational complexity and enhancing wellbore stability.

Implementation Method 1

flowing fluid inside the packer to expand the packer into sealing engagement with the wall of the wellbore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid pressure expansion: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

fluid is directed into the sealed space at a pressure that imparts a force onto the formation which exceeds a tensile stress in the formation and fractures the formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTensile stress fracture: Fracture Mechanics

Data Source

PatentUS8973661B2Method of fracturing while drilling

Publication Date: 2015.03.10 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A method of fracturing a formation that at the same time drills a wellbore through the formation selectively deploys a seal from a drill string and pressurizes the wellbore beneath the seal. The seal can be formed by moving sliding blades into channels between cutting blades on a drill bit. The seal can also be a packer on the drill bit that selectively expands radially outward into sealing engagement with the wellbore. At a designated depth in the wellbore, the seal is deployed and fluid is diverted into the space. A pressurizing system pressurizes the fluid so that pressure in the space overcomes the formation strength and fractures the formation adjacent the enclosed space. The packer can be released, drilling can resume, and fracturing can occur at a different depth in the wellbore.