Fracture-Sealing Composition for Redirecting Hydraulic Fractures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic fracturing methods in unconventional reservoirs often fail to effectively propagate fractures to previously unfractured regions, limiting hydrocarbon recovery.

Innovation Solution

Injecting a sealant composition through a wellbore that solidifies within fractures to partially close them, altering mechanical properties to redirect fracture initiation and enhance propagation to underfractured areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hydraulic fracturing is performed in unconventional reservoirs, then fracture propagation occurs, but fractures tend to propagate towards existing fracture networks leaving regions untouched

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon recoveryVSAvoidfracture propagation coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by injecting sealant composition into existing fractures before conducting secondary hydraulic fracturing operations. This pre-sealing of fractures prevents new fractures from propagating into already-fractured regions, thereby directing fracture energy toward unfractured areas and improving overall reservoir coverage and hydrocarbon recovery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If sealant composition is injected to close fractures, then fluid connectivity between wellbores is reduced, but injection and treatment complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid isolation effectivenessVSAvoidinjection process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by selecting sealant compositions with specific rheological properties that allow the material to be injected in a pumpable state and then transform to a solidified state within the fracture. This phase transition enables effective fracture sealing without requiring complex multi-step injection processes or specialized equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Improves fracture propagation to unfractured regions, increasing hydrocarbon recovery by reducing fluid and pressure connectivity, and allowing for subsequent fracturing to access additional hydrocarbons.

Implementation Method 1

the sealant composition solidifies within the fracture, thereby at least partially closing the fracture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCuring: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS20260063022A1Compositions and methods for fracture sealing

Publication Date: 2026.03.05 CHEVRON USA INC

AI summary

Described herein are methods for fracture sealing and redevelopment. Methods for fracture sealing and redevelopment can comprise injecting a sealant composition through a first wellbore in fluid communication with an unconventional subterranean formation such that the sealant composition flows into at least one fracture present in a first region of the unconventional subterranean formation. The sealant composition can solidify within the fracture, thereby at least partially closing the fracture. Subsequently, the unconventional subterranean formation can be fractured via the first wellbore and/or via a second wellbore in fluid communication with an unconventional subterranean formation. The solidified sealant composition can direct fracture formation away from the first region of the unconventional subterranean formation and towards virgin rock.