Fracture Plugging Simulation With Distributed Pressure Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plugging simulation experiments can only test pressure at both ends of a fractured specimen, failing to capture nonlinear fluid pressure changes during the plugging process, which is crucial for assessing the pressure-bearing capacity of plugged fractures.
Innovation Solution
A fracture plugging simulation experimental device and method that includes a simulated wellbore, formation, and fracture, equipped with uniformly distributed pressure sensors to measure fluid pressure changes along the fracture, allowing for the calculation of pressure-bearing capacity based on these measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing plugging simulation experiment is used, then the structure is simple, but the measurement precision is insufficient because it can only test pressure at both ends of the fractured specimen
Solution Approach 1:
The fracture is divided into multiple measurement sections by distributing pressure sensors at different positions along the fracture length. This segmentation allows independent measurement of pressure changes at each section, enabling capture of nonlinear pressure variations that would be missed by single-point measurements at the ends only.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system transitions from one-dimensional end-point pressure measurement to multi-dimensional spatial pressure field measurement. By adding the spatial dimension of sensor distribution along the fracture, the system can characterize pressure changes in both magnitude and distribution pattern throughout the fracture.
2Reliability
If pressure sensors are uniformly distributed along the fracture, then the measurement of nonlinear fluid pressure changes is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Pressure sensors are strategically positioned at locations where pressure changes are most critical, such as near the wellbore and at intermediate positions along the fracture. This local quality approach ensures reliable measurement of nonlinear pressure variations in key regions while avoiding unnecessary sensors in areas with minimal pressure change, thus balancing measurement reliability with system complexity.
3Loss of information
If existing plugging simulation experiment is used, then the experiment is simple to conduct, but the information obtained is insufficient for accurate pressure-bearing capacity calculation
Solution Approach 1:
The distributed pressure sensor system provides continuous feedback on pressure changes throughout the fracture during the plugging process. This feedback enables real-time monitoring of pressure distribution patterns, allowing accurate calculation of pressure-bearing capacity by analyzing the complete pressure change profile rather than relying on insufficient end-point data only.
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
Enables the accurate measurement of nonlinear fluid pressure changes during plugging, providing a more reliable assessment of the pressure-bearing capacity of plugged fractures, thus supporting the development of effective pressure-bearing plugging technologies.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of first pressure sensors connected with a computer may be disposed on an inner wall surface of the simulated fracture
Implementation Method 2
The pressurization port may be connected with an output end of a plunger pump
Implementation Method 3
The simulated wellbore and the mixing barrel may be connected with a heating device, respectively
Implementation Method 4
A mixing device and a temperature sensor may be disposed in the mixing barrel
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a fracture plugging simulation experimental device and an experimental method thereof. The device comprises a simulated wellbore, a simulated formation, a simulated fracture, a plurality of pressure sensors and vales, a mixing barrel, a liquid injection port and a pressurization port, a liquid collection tank, a plugging fluid storage tank, a heating device, etc. The method comprises: loading the simulated formation with the simulated fracture in the simulated wellbore, closing the second valve and turning on the mixing device, injecting a lost circulation material into the mixing barrel, closing the liquid injection port and turning on the heating device and pressurizing, stopping pressurizing and opening the second valve to establish a plugging process, turning on the plunger pump to continue pressurizing, and collecting a fluid pressure change of the simulated fracture in the plugging process; and calculating a pressure-bearing capacity of plugged fracture.