Ferromagnetic Proppant Flow Diversion for Fracture Plugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flow diverters for hydraulic fracturing in tight and unconventional subterranean formations are ineffective in plugging existing fractures and directing fluid flow to new, unfractured zones, leading to formation damage and insufficient pressure response.
Innovation Solution
The use of ferromagnetic proppants with a 3D cross particle core and ferromagnetic coating, which are activated by a magnetic field to plug existing fractures and divert fluid flow to new zones, enhancing permeability and conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional diverters (polymer-based viscoelastic surfactants, particulates, and foam) are used for flow diversion, then treatment can be performed, but they cause formation damage from gel residues and pH of the delivery medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical-based diverters (polymers, surfactants, foam) with magnetically controllable proppant particles. The magnetic field provides mechanical control over proppant placement and flow diversion, eliminating the need for chemical delivery media that cause formation damage from gel residues and pH effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary between the injection system and the proppant particles. This magnetic field mediator enables precise control of proppant placement and flow diversion without requiring harmful chemical carriers, thus solving the formation damage problem while maintaining flow diversion effectiveness.
2Reliability
If conventional diverters are used, then treatment can proceed, but they provide insufficient pressure response for flow diversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically controllable proppant particles that can be activated and positioned on-demand using magnetic fields. This dynamic control allows the system to provide immediate and sufficient pressure response when needed, unlike conventional static diverters that cannot adapt to changing pressure conditions during fracturing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and positioning parameters of proppant particles through magnetic field application. By controlling magnetic field strength and configuration, the system can rapidly alter proppant placement to achieve the necessary pressure response for effective flow diversion, overcoming the limitations of conventional diverters.
3Reliability
If conventional diverters are used, then treatment can be performed, but they require extra equipment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the proppant particles multi-functional by embedding magnetic materials within them. These particles simultaneously serve as flow diverters, pressure control elements, and magnetically controllable plugs, eliminating the need for separate equipment systems required by conventional diverters and simplifying the overall treatment architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the functions of flow diversion, pressure control, and particle positioning into a single proppant particle system controlled by magnetic fields. This consolidation eliminates the need for multiple separate equipment systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliable diversion functionality.
4Productivity
If proppant-based fracturing is performed, then treatment can be applied, but there are no effective flow diverters that can plug existing fractures and direct flow to new zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies proppant particles preliminarily in the fracture path, where they can be subsequently activated by magnetic fields to plug existing fractures and redirect flow. This preliminary placement followed by magnetic activation allows the system to effectively divert flow to new zones, solving the problem of ineffective diverters in proppant-based fracturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for complex chemical or mechanical plugging systems with magnetically controlled proppant particles. The magnetic field provides the mechanical force needed to position and activate proppant plugs in existing fractures, enabling effective flow diversion to new zones and improving hydrocarbon recovery in proppant-based fracturing operations.
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 ferromagnetic proppants effectively plug existing fractures, allowing fluid diversion to new zones, improving hydrocarbon recovery by increasing permeability and reducing formation damage.
Implementation Method 1
activating the magnetic field tool to generate a magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
The ferromagnetic proppant includes a first coating, wherein the first coating includes a ferromagnetic material
Implementation Method 3
generating an alternating magnetic field in the subterranean formation using the magnetic field tool
Data Source
AI summary
Ferromagnetic proppant including 3D cross particle core and a ferromagnetic material. Methods of increasing the permeability of a subterranean zone, and methods of enhancing heavy oil recovery.