Solid Particle Concentration Control for Drilling Fluid Fracture Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Drilling through depleted reservoirs poses a high risk of drilling fluid loss due to pressure drops and narrow Mud Weight Window, especially in cap rock shale formations, which complicates well stabilization and control.
Innovation Solution
A method to determine the adequate concentration of solid particles in drilling fluid by modeling fracture sections with wirelines, iteratively assessing particle placement and volume injection to seal fractures and prevent fluid leakage, using a computer program to adjust particle concentration based on fracture criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the density of drilling fluid is increased to ensure well wall stability, then well stability is improved, but the risk of opening preexisting fractures and losing drilling fluid control increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of drilling fluid by adding solid particles with specific size distributions, densities, and concentrations to modify the fluid's properties and improve wellbore strengthening without simply increasing overall fluid density
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite drilling fluid system by combining base drilling fluid with various solid particles (such as cement, barite, or other weighting agents) to achieve both well wall stability and fracture sealing capabilities simultaneously
2Reliability
If solid particles are added to increase the upper limit of drilling fluid density, then the ability to seal fractures is improved, but the complexity of determining adequate particle concentration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual trial-and-error methods with an automated computer-based simulation system that uses numerical models to predict fracture sealing behavior and determine optimal particle concentrations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the fracture system through computer simulation, allowing virtual testing of different particle concentrations and sizes to determine optimal values without actual field trials
3Speed
If the concentration of solid particles is increased to quickly seal fractures, then fracture sealing speed is improved, but the viscosity and flow properties of drilling fluid are adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies solid particles with locally optimized properties at specific locations within the drilling fluid system, using different particle sizes and concentrations in different zones to achieve effective sealing while maintaining overall fluid flow efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic particle injection strategies where particle concentration and size distribution are adjusted in real-time based on fracture propagation conditions, allowing rapid sealing when needed while maintaining fluid流动性 during normal drilling operations
Data Source
AI summary
A method for determining a concentration of solid particles in a drilling fluid. The method comprises determining, based on a received dimension of a section of a fracture, a plurality of wirelines each having a diameter. For each wireline, the method determines if a solid particle or a part of a fluid is in the current wireline. If it is determined that a solid particle is in the wireline, then determining whether the current wireline is sealed. These steps are reiterated. The method further comprises determining a volume of injected fluid into the fracture and comparing the determined volume with a reference to determine if a fracturing criterion is met. If the fracturing criterion is met, it is possible to modify the current concentration of solid particles.