Centralized Fracture Orchestration with Stress Field Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for inducing multiple fractures in subterranean formations often fail to optimize fracture orientation and timing, leading to suboptimal oil and gas production, as they do not account for stress alterations around existing fractures and typically induce fractures with near-identical angular orientations, missing opportunities for maximizing hydrocarbon flow and connecting unattained reservoirs.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a centralized well treatment fluid center to induce fractures with orientations that alter stress fields, allowing for strategic timing and location of subsequent fractures, thereby maximizing the unnatural reach and connectivity of fractures by measuring and responding to stress field effects, and using a system with sensors and fracturing tools to optimize fracture placement and orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods induce fractures with near-identical angular orientations, then the number of locations for drainage into the wellbore increases, but the method is not optimal as it avoids good producing reservoirs and does not account for stress alterations around existing fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The fracture orientation is made dynamic by adjusting the angular disposition based on stress field measurements and time delays. The system adapts the fracture direction to connect with unattained reservoirs rather than using fixed near-identical orientations, allowing the fracture placement strategy to evolve based on real-time stress alterations around existing fractures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of subsequent fractures by introducing angular dispositions (e.g., 30-60 degrees) relative to previous fractures. This parameter change is based on measured stress field effects and time delays, enabling the system to target previously unattained reservoirs and maximize hydrocarbon flow
2Productivity
If multiple fractures are induced sequentially in a field, then maximum production from previously producing oil wells may be achieved, but monetary costs and production time increase due to movement of equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary stress field measurements and calculations before inducing subsequent fractures. By determining the optimal angular disposition and time delay in advance based on measured stress alterations, the system can plan fracture sequences to minimize equipment movement while achieving maximum production from previously producing wells
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from stress field measurements and observed fracture effects to optimize subsequent fracture placement. By monitoring stress alterations around existing fractures and using this information to determine time delays and angular dispositions, the system reduces unnecessary equipment movement and production time while achieving enhanced production from previously producing wells
3Productivity
If multiple fractures are induced sequentially in a field, then maximum production from previously producing oil wells may be achieved, but monetary costs increase due to movement of equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary stress field measurements and calculations before inducing subsequent fractures. By determining the optimal angular disposition and time delay in advance based on measured stress alterations, the system can plan fracture sequences to minimize equipment movement while achieving maximum production from previously producing wells
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from stress field measurements and observed fracture effects to optimize subsequent fracture placement. By monitoring stress alterations around existing fractures and using this information to determine time delays and angular dispositions, the system reduces unnecessary equipment movement and production time while achieving enhanced production from previously producing wells
4Productivity
If conventional methods induce additional fractures without accounting for stress alterations, then the number of fractures increases, but the method does not maximize the unnatural reach of fractures to connect unattained reservoirs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation parameter of subsequent fractures by introducing angular dispositions (e.g., 30-60 degrees) relative to previous fractures. This parameter change is based on measured stress field effects and time delays, enabling the system to target previously unattained reservoirs and maximize hydrocarbon flow
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from stress field measurements and observed fracture effects to optimize subsequent fracture placement. By monitoring stress alterations around existing fractures and using this information to determine time delays and angular dispositions, the system reduces unnecessary equipment movement and production time while achieving enhanced production from previously producing wells
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 approach increases well productivity, reduces the number of fractures needed, and minimizes costs and time by optimizing fracture placement and orientation, enhancing hydrocarbon flow and reducing the need for extensive equipment movement and setup.
Implementation Method 1
The first fracture alters one or more first well location stress fields in the subterranean formation. One or more first well location effects of the one or more first well location stress fields from the first fracture are measured.
Implementation Method 2
A first fracture is induced at a first well location by flowing well treatment fluid from the centralized well treatment fluid center to the first well location.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for orchestrating multiple fractures at multiple well locations in a region by flowing well treatment fluid from a centralized well treatment fluid center includes the steps of configuring a well treatment fluid center for fracturing multiple wells, inducing a fracture at a first well location, measuring effects of stress fields from the first fracture, determining a time delay based in part upon the measured stress effects, inducing a second fracture after the time delay at a second location based upon the measured effects, and measuring the stress effects of stress fields from the second fracture. Sensors disposed about the region are adapted to output effects of the stress fields. Location and orientation of subsequent fractures is based on the combined stress effects of the stress fields as a result of the prior fractures which provides for optimal region development.