Fracture Growth Control in Well Operations
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to control fracture growth during well operations without reducing well productivity, as pressure reduction to prevent fracture growth can decrease hydrocarbon recovery.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determine a dissipation equilibrium value based on fracture height, fracture height change limit, and other information, which is then used to set a pressure limit for the well operation, thereby controlling pressure and preventing excessive fracture growth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If pressure is reduced to prevent fracture growth, then fracture height control is improved, but well productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by determining a pressure limit based on fracture height, fracture height change limit, layer stress, and bounding layer stress. This calculated pressure limit is then used to control well pressure, replacing simple pressure reduction with a precise, multi-parameter-based pressure control strategy that maintains productivity while controlling fracture growth.
2Productivity
If pressure is maintained high to maintain well productivity, then hydrocarbon recovery is improved, but fracture growth beyond limit occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by calculating a pressure limit that incorporates fracture height and fracture height change limit as input parameters. This creates a closed-loop control system where fracture growth characteristics feed back into the pressure control decision, allowing the system to maintain high pressure for productivity while automatically adjusting to prevent excessive fracture growth.
3Device complexity
If pressure limit is determined without considering dissipation equilibrium, then calculation complexity is reduced, but fracture growth control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining the dissipation equilibrium value before calculating the final pressure limit. This pre-calculation step incorporates fracture height, fracture height change limit, and stress information to establish a foundation for the pressure limit determination, ensuring precise fracture growth control while maintaining a systematic and manageable calculation process.
Data Source
AI summary
A dissipation equilibrium value for a well operation may be determined based on a height of a fracture within a layer and a limit on the change of the height of the fracture (fracture height change limit). A pressure limit for the well operation may be determined based on the dissipation equilibrium value, stress in the layer, and stress in a bounding layer. The pressure limit may be used to control the pressure of the well during the well operation, and prevent growth of the fracture beyond the fracture height change limit.