Fiber-Reinforced RPPG for Fracture Plugging and Pressure Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current re-cross-linkable preformed particle gels (RPPGs) are susceptible to breakdown under high injection pressures and tend to precipitate at the bottom of fractures due to gravitational forces, leading to incomplete plugging of fractures, especially in vertically oriented or large openings.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating fibers into the RPPG compositions to enhance their elastic modulus and suspension properties, allowing for improved plugging efficiency and resistance to fluid flow, while maintaining uniform distribution within fractures to form a lattice structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RPPG particles are used to plug fractures, then fluid loss is controlled and permeability is reduced, but the gel particles are susceptible to breakdown under high injection pressures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines RPPG particles with crosslinking agents to create a composite gel structure. The crosslinking agent forms additional bonds between polymer chains, creating a more robust network that maintains plugging effectiveness while resisting high injection pressures without breakdown.
2Reliability
If RPPG particles are injected into vertical or large fractures, then fluid flow is controlled, but gravitational forces cause particles to precipitate at the bottom of fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a carrier fluid with density matched to or greater than the RPPG particles to counteract gravitational forces. This density matching prevents particle settling by eliminating the density-driven sedimentation, allowing uniform distribution throughout vertical or large fractures.
3Quantity of substance
If RPPG particles are used in vertical fractures, then some plugging is achieved, but the upper space remains open due to particle settling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a system where the RPPG particles and carrier fluid have matched densities, establishing gravitational equipotential conditions. This eliminates the potential energy gradient that would otherwise drive particle settling, resulting in uniform suspension and distribution throughout the fracture including upper spaces.
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 fiber-reinforced RPPG compositions demonstrate increased resistance to fluid flow, improved plugging efficiency, and uniform swelling, effectively resisting high injection pressures and preventing gravitational settling, thereby ensuring complete fracture plugging.
Implementation Method 1
a quantity of swellable particles comprising cross-linkable polymer chains and/or an assembling agent
Implementation Method 2
The composition comprises a quantity of fibers and a quantity of swellable particles
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are compositions useful for controlling fluid flow, for example in a target zone of a subterranean environment, and methods of forming and using the same. The composition generally comprises a quantity of fibers and a quantity of swellable particles, which may be dispersed in a carrier fluid. The composition may be synthesized in the form of a bulk gel or may be gelatinated during use. The fibers in the compositions provide improved performance as compared to prior PPG and RPPG particle-containing compositions. Specifically, the compositions reinforce the re-cross-linked/re-associated hydrogel plug in underground features and support proper rehydration of RPPG particles with water or brine to better to provide structural support for the particles within the gel and to more completely fill underground void space conduits.