Electrical Discharge Wellbore Fracturing for Acid Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current acidizing techniques for enhancing oil recovery in subterranean formations are limited by the rapid reaction rate of acidizing compositions with the formation, leading to shallow penetration and reduced permeability increase, which increases costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
Generating electrical discharges to create shock waves that fracture the porous zone, allowing for deeper penetration and increased contact area of chemical agents, such as acids, which enhance permeability without requiring high-pressure injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If acidizing composition is injected at high pressure to cause fractures, then permeability increase is achieved, but the operation becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical high-pressure injection system with an electrical discharge system. Electrical discharges generate shock waves that fracture the formation and create channels for acid penetration without requiring complex high-pressure injection equipment, thus achieving permeability increase while reducing operational complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and parameters of the acidizing composition by using electrical discharges to create plasma channels and shock waves. This allows the acid to penetrate deeper into the formation at lower pressures by changing its delivery mechanism from purely mechanical injection to electro-hydraulic fracture propagation
2Length of stationary object
If acidizing composition is injected at high pressure, then penetration depth increases, but reaction rate with formation increases causing acid to be spent quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using electrical discharges to pre-fracture the formation and create conductive channels before acid injection. This preliminary mechanical preparation allows subsequent acid to penetrate deeper more efficiently along pre-created pathways, reducing unnecessary acid consumption while increasing penetration depth
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces shock waves and plasma channels as intermediaries between the acidizing composition and the formation. These intermediaries facilitate deeper acid penetration by creating preferential flow paths through the formation, allowing the acid to reach greater depths without being completely consumed by surface reactions
3Length of stationary object
If local temperature in wellbore is reduced to slow reaction rate, then acid penetration depth increases, but operation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic electrical discharges to create repeated shock wave cycles that progressively extend fracture networks and acid penetration channels. This periodic electro-hydraulic action achieves deep penetration through cumulative effect rather than requiring continuous temperature control, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining effective penetration depth
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 method significantly increases the mobility and recovery of hydrocarbons by allowing deeper acid penetration and reducing operational costs, complexity, and time, with the ability to achieve up to a 500% greater contact area compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
generating at least one electrical discharge in said wellbore at a distance from the at least one porous zone in order to propagate at least one shock wave adapted to fracture said treatment zone
Implementation Method 2
propagate at least one shock wave adapted to fracture said treatment zone
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a method for stimulating a treatment zone near a wellbore area in fluid connection with at least one porous zone of a subterranean formation, said method comprising the steps of generating (S1a) at least one electrical discharge in said wellbore at a distance from the at least one porous zone in order to propagate at least one shock wave adapted to fracture said treatment zone and introducing (S2a) a chemical agent within said treatment zone for increasing the permeability of said treatment zone.