Emulsified Acidizing Fluid for Proppant Transport and Fracture Conductivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current subterranean treatment methods face challenges with fluid leak-off and proppant over-displacement during combined hydraulic fracturing and acidizing procedures, which can reduce the effectiveness of fracture conductivity and fluid production.
Innovation Solution
A single treatment fluid comprising a water-in-oil emulsion with an oil-to-water ratio of less than 20:80 is used, acting as both a retarded acid system for acid fracturing and a carrier for proppant particulates, allowing simultaneous acid and hydraulic fracturing to enhance formation stimulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sequential acidizing and fracturing treatments are performed, then formation stimulation is achieved, but fluid leak-off increases and proppant over-displacement occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines acidizing and fracturing treatments into a single simultaneous operation using a unified treatment fluid system. The fluid mixture contains both acid components for matrix dissolution and proppant-carrying fracturing agents, eliminating the need for sequential treatments and their associated fluid leak-off and proppant over-displacement problems.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment fluid is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as an acidizing agent for matrix dissolution and as a fracturing fluid for proppant delivery. This universal fluid system performs multiple functions simultaneously, resolving the contradictions between treatment effectiveness and fluid loss.
2Reliability
If sequential acidizing and fracturing treatments are performed, then formation stimulation is achieved, but treatment complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate treatment procedures (acidizing and fracturing) into a single simultaneous treatment operation. This consolidation reduces the number of treatment steps, equipment requirements, and operational complexity while maintaining the benefits of both acid matrix dissolution and proppant-fracture creation.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment fluid is pre-formulated with both acid components and proppant-carrying agents mixed in advance. This preliminary preparation of the unified fluid system eliminates the need for separate fluid delivery systems and sequential treatment steps, simplifying the overall procedure.
3Productivity
If conventional fracturing fluids are used, then proppant transport is achieved, but environmental impact and cost increase due to high oil loading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the compositional parameters of the fracturing fluid by using water-based or low-oil formulations instead of conventional high-oil fracturing fluids. This parameter change maintains proppant transport efficiency through alternative mechanisms (such as fluid density control and viscosity management) while reducing environmental impact and cost.
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 maximum formation stimulation by maintaining fracture openness and increasing permeability, while reducing costs and environmental impact through lower oil loading and improved fluid management.
Implementation Method 1
a subterranean formation containing an acid-soluble material may be treated with an acid to dissolve at least a portion of the acid-soluble material. Components of the formation matrix may comprise the acid-soluble material in some cases. Illustrative examples of formation components that may be dissolved by an acid include, for example, carbonates, silicates, and aluminosilicates.
Implementation Method 2
The treatment fluid may comprise a water-in-oil emulsion having an oil to water ratio of less than 20:80 by volume. The emulsion provides a retarded acid system that can create penetration into the formation for the purpose of acid fracturing. The water-in-oil emulsion is also selected for suspending a proppant particulates for hydraulic fracturing.
Implementation Method 3
Hydraulic fracturing operations generally involve pumping a treatment fluid (e.g., a fracturing fluid) into a well bore that penetrates a subterranean formation at a sufficient hydraulic pressure to create or enhance one or more cracks, or 'fractures,' in the subterranean formation.
Implementation Method 4
The proppant particulates function, inter alia, to prevent the fractures from fully closing upon the release of hydraulic pressure, forming conductive channels through which fluids may flow to the well bore.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and compositions for stimulating oil or gas production from a well with a single treatment fluid for use in a combined acidizing and hydraulic fracturing treatment are provided. An embodiment is a method comprising: coating a plurality of proppant particulates with oil to form oil-coated proppant particulates; adding the oil-coated proppant particulates to a solution comprising water, an acid source, and an emulsifier, wherein the ratio of the oil coating the proppant particulates to the water in the solution is less than 20:80 by volume; and mixing the solution and the oil-coated proppant particulates to form a treatment fluid comprising a water-in-oil emulsion and the oil-coated proppant particulates.