Fracture Characterization via Viscous Fluid Injection Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for treating fractures in subterranean formations are inefficient, relying on trial and error when plugging fractures, which complicates the optimization of reservoir exploitation and fluid management in the oil and gas industry.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the injection of a viscous non-Newtonian polymer composition, such as a xanthan polymer pill, into the formation to determine the treatment radius and fracture width by measuring pressure changes, using equations that account for shear stress and flow rate, allowing for precise characterization and efficient conformance treatment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional trial and error approach is used for fracture plugging, then complete plugging of fracture is achieved, but treatment efficiency is low and multiple cement batches are required
Solution Approach 1:
The method performs preliminary fracture characterization by injecting a viscous fluid and measuring pressure changes before the actual cement plugging operation. This preliminary action determines fracture parameters (width, treatment radius) that enable optimized cement injection design, avoiding trial-and-error approaches and reducing the number of cement batches required.
Solution Approach 2:
The method uses pressure measurements during viscous fluid injection to obtain feedback about fracture properties. This feedback information is used to calculate fracture width and treatment radius, which then guides the optimization of subsequent cement plugging operations, creating a closed-loop system that improves treatment efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If fracture parameters are not accurately determined, then treatment optimization is difficult, but conventional methods lack precise measurement capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The method uses a viscous fluid as an intermediary substance to probe the fracture characteristics. By measuring the pressure required to inject known volumes of this fluid, the method indirectly determines fracture parameters (width, treatment radius) without requiring complex direct measurement devices downhole. The viscous fluid acts as a mediator that translates fracture geometry into measurable pressure signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The method replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with a fluid-based pressure measurement approach. Instead of using sophisticated downhole sensors or imaging tools to directly measure fracture dimensions, the method uses pressure measurements during fluid injection combined with mathematical modeling to calculate fracture parameters, substituting mechanical measurement with a more straightforward pressure-based indirect measurement system.
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
This method enables accurate determination of fracture parameters, improving the efficiency of conformance treatments and reducing the need for multiple cement injections, thereby optimizing reservoir exploitation and fluid management.
Implementation Method 1
A method involving the injection of a viscous non-Newtonian polymer composition, such as a xanthan polymer pill, into the formation to determine the treatment radius and fracture width
Implementation Method 2
using equations that account for shear stress and flow rate
Implementation Method 3
by measuring pressure changes, using equations that account for shear stress and flow rate, allowing for precise characterization
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for determining one or more parameters of a formation fracturecomprises injecting a viscous fluid in the formation via a flow path;measuring pressure at a location along the flow path; andcalculating one or more parameters of a formation fracture based on the measured pressure. The method may permit improved and/or more efficient planning, design and/or performance of, e.g.conformance treatmentof the formation fracture.