Fiber Aggregates for Lost Circulation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling fluid flow in subterranean well operations, particularly during well construction and stimulation, face challenges such as lost circulation and uneven fluid distribution due to varying permeability and injectivity in rock formations, which can lead to inefficiencies and formation damage.
Innovation Solution
A treatment fluid comprising polysaccharide polymers, crosslinkers, and fibers, subjected to high shear, is pumped into the well to form fiber aggregates or flocs that bridge and plug pathways in the rock formations, effectively controlling fluid flow and addressing lost circulation issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If bridging agents are used to control fluid flow, then fluid loss is reduced, but the success rate and efficiency are not always satisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system comprising fibers suspended in a carrier fluid, where the fibers act as bridging agents and the carrier fluid provides controlled delivery. This composite approach combines the mechanical bridging function with fluid dynamics control to improve reliability of lost circulation prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the delivery of fibers by adjusting parameters of the carrier fluid such as viscosity and flow rate, allowing optimization of fiber placement and aggregation at the loss zone. By changing fluid parameters, the system achieves more reliable and efficient plugging of loss zones.
2Productivity
If treatment fluid is pumped into high permeability intervals, then fluid injection is efficient, but uneven distribution occurs across multiple intervals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces fibers as an intermediary substance that modifies fluid flow behavior. The fibers aggregate at permeability barriers and loss zones, acting as a mediator that redirects fluid flow from high permeability zones to lower permeability zones, achieving more uniform distribution across multiple intervals while maintaining injection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates local quality changes in the treatment fluid by having fibers aggregate at specific locations (permeability barriers and loss zones). This localized fiber aggregation modifies flow properties at specific intervals, enabling differential fluid distribution that achieves uniform treatment across zones with varying permeability.
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 solution provides improved control over fluid flow, reduces lost circulation, and ensures more even distribution of treatment fluids across formations with varying permeabilities, enhancing well construction and stimulation outcomes.
Implementation Method 1
A treatment fluid comprising polysaccharide polymers, crosslinkers, and fibers, subjected to high shear, is pumped into the well to form fiber aggregates or flocs
Implementation Method 2
form fiber aggregates or flocs that bridge and plug pathways in the rock formations
Implementation Method 3
the fluids exert hydrostatic and pumping pressure against the subterranean rock formations
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for controlling fluid flow through one or more pathways in one or more rock formations penetrated by a borehole in a subterranean well, comprise injecting into or adjacent to the formation a treatment fluid comprising at least one polysaccharide polymer; at least one crosslinker; and fibers, or a mixture of fibers and particles. The fluids are pumped into the well through a tubular body that comprises at least one flow restriction. Shearing of the treatment fluid as it passes through the flow restriction causes the viscosity to decrease, allowing the fibers to form masses that migrate to formation-rock openings such as pores, cracks, fissures and vugs. As a result, the fibrous masses are useful for curing lost circulation, providing fluid-loss control and as diverting agents.