Explosive Notching Tool for Openhole Fracture Location Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydraulic fracturing in uncased wellbores of tight formations like sandstone and carbonate faces challenges due to the absence of casing, making it difficult to isolate and control fracture locations, leading to inefficient hydrocarbon recovery and increased hydraulic pressure requirements.

Innovation Solution

Explosive notching tools are used to create controlled notches in the uncased formation using radially directed explosive charges, which predetermine fracture locations and reduce the need for hydraulic pressure by forming transverse fractures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hydraulic fracturing is performed in uncased wellbores of tight formations, then hydrocarbon production can be achieved, but fracture location control is difficult and hydraulic pressure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon recovery efficiencyVSAvoidfracture location control

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by installing notching elements on the borehole surface before hydraulic fracturing. These notches create predetermined weak points in the formation that guide fracture initiation and propagation at specific locations, thereby achieving fracture location control prior to the actual fracturing operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the borehole surface into discrete notching zones using individually controllable notching elements. Each notching element can be independently activated to create notches at specific intervals, allowing selective fracture initiation at different locations along the wellbore, thus enabling precise fracture location control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If hydraulic fracturing is performed in uncased wellbores of tight formations, then hydrocarbon production can be achieved, but the time and energy required for fracturing increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon recovery efficiencyVSAvoidfracturing operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The notching elements are installed beforehand on the borehole surface to create predetermined fracture initiation points. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for extensive hydraulic pressure buildup and trial-and-error fracturing operations, significantly reducing the time and energy required during the actual fracturing process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the formation by creating notches that alter the stress distribution and create preferred fracture paths. This parameter change reduces the hydraulic pressure threshold required for fracture initiation, thereby decreasing the energy consumption and time required for the fracturing operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If hydraulic fracturing is performed in uncased wellbores of tight formations, then hydrocarbon production can be achieved, but the hydraulic pressure requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon recovery efficiencyVSAvoidhydraulic pressure requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

By pre-installing notching elements that create notches in the formation, the patent establishes predetermined fracture initiation points with reduced strength. These notches serve as stress concentration points that facilitate fracture initiation at lower hydraulic pressures, thereby reducing the overall pressure requirements for successful fracturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The notching process fundamentally changes the mechanical parameters of the formation by creating geometric discontinuities that concentrate stress. This parameter change reduces the threshold pressure required for fracture initiation and propagation, allowing effective fracturing at lower hydraulic pressures compared to untreated tight formations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances hydrocarbon recovery by reducing the time and energy required for fracturing, improving operational efficiency and controlling fracture development.

Implementation Method 1

detonating one or more explosive notching elements on the explosive notching tool; and generating one or more circular notches in the uncased zone in the formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExplosion: Explosion

Data Source

PatentUS12529299B2Enhancing transverse fractures while performing hydraulic fracturing within an openhole borehole

Publication Date: 2026.01.20 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

A downhole tool includes a metal carrier tool body having at least one cavity formed in and opening to an outer surface, defining an outer diameter of the metal carrier tool body. The downhole tool includes one or more explosive notching elements mounted in the at least one cavity. One or more explosive notching elements are configured to install notches on a surface of an uncased formation.