Flaked Diverting Agent for Selective Perforation Plugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fracturing in unconventional reservoirs often leaves large regions of the reservoir untreated, leading to inadequate oil and gas production, as existing methods struggle to effectively seal off productive perforations and stimulate previously un-fractured areas.
Innovation Solution
A treatment fluid containing a diverting agent in flaked form, such as guar gum, is introduced to selectively block fluid flow in productive perforations, allowing for targeted stimulation of under-treated regions by forming a degradable seal that can be removed to maintain production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a diverting agent is introduced to seal off productive perforations, then the ability to stimulate previously un-fractured areas is improved, but the complexity of the treatment process increases
Solution Approach 1:
A diverting agent is introduced as an intermediary substance that temporarily seals off productive perforations, allowing treatment fluid to be redirected to previously un-fractured areas. The diverting agent acts as a mediator between the treatment fluid and the perforations, enabling selective stimulation of untreated regions while maintaining the ability to restore production later.
Solution Approach 2:
The diverting agent is applied in advance to seal off productive perforations before the main fracturing treatment. This preliminary action prevents treatment fluid from entering already-fractured areas, ensuring that subsequent injection targets only the un-fractured portions of the formation, thereby improving overall stimulation effectiveness.
2Productivity
If a degradable seal is formed to block productive perforations, then the ability to divert treatment fluid is improved, but the risk of production impairment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diverting agent is designed to change its physical or chemical parameters over time, specifically degrading from a sealing state to a non-obstructive state. This parameter change allows the agent to effectively block perforations during treatment while automatically restoring production capability after treatment, thereby reducing the risk of long-term production impairment.
Solution Approach 2:
The diverting agent functions as a temporary, disposable blocking material that serves its purpose during the treatment process and then degrades harmlessly. This short-lived nature of the diverting agent ensures that it fulfills its diversion function reliably while eliminating the risk of permanent production impairment, as it automatically disappears after use.
3Reliability
If flaked diverting agent is used instead of conventional forms, then the sealing effectiveness in productive perforations is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flaked diverting agent is designed to achieve uniform distribution and effective sealing across all productive perforations regardless of their orientation or flow characteristics. The flake shape and properties are optimized to create equivalent sealing effectiveness in varying conditions, ensuring reliable diversion without requiring complex manufacturing processes to achieve performance differentiation.
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 diverting agent effectively seals off productive perforations, allowing for the diversion of fracturing fluids to under-treated areas, enhancing the stimulation of previously un-fractured portions of the reservoir and improving overall oil and gas production by systematically treating all perforations equally and ensuring the removal of the diverting agent to maintain production.
Implementation Method 1
The diverting agent may be guar gum or a derivative or copolymer thereof. The diverting agent is effective at sealing off perforations that are conveying production from the reservoir.
Implementation Method 2
The diverting agent in flaked form is introduced to selectively block fluid flow in productive perforations, allowing for targeted stimulation of under-treated regions by forming a degradable seal
Implementation Method 3
a fracturing fluid is injected at rates and pressures necessary to cause formation failure by inducing fractures or cracks in the formation
Implementation Method 4
forming a degradable seal that can be removed to maintain production
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a well-bore, for example to facilitate fracturing of the formation, comprises the steps of: (i) selecting a treatment fluid comprising a diverting agent (A) in a flaked form, for example guar gum in a flaked form. (ii) introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation via the well-bore to plug a region of the formation. Thereafter, the formation may be fractured or re-fractured.