Fracturing Control via Fracture Formation Model
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fracturing processes in wellbores are challenging due to the complexity of controlling numerous variables in real-time, leading to difficulties in achieving desired fracture geometries and growth behaviors, as operators often rely on experience rather than real-time data, resulting in suboptimal well completion.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a fracture formation model to select subsurface objective functions and adjust surface variables based on diagnostics data, enabling precise control of fracture formation characteristics to converge on desired objectives, incorporating a computing device architecture for implementing and managing the fracturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If operators rely on their knowledge and experience to control hydraulic fracturing, then they can perform well completion based on accumulated expertise, but they are unable to properly interpret real-time fracturing data leading to suboptimal completion outcomes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated data interpretation system that acts as an intermediary between real-time fracturing data and operator decision-making. This system processes and analyzes the complex real-time data stream, providing interpreted insights that bridge the gap between raw data and operator understanding, thereby improving completion outcomes without replacing operator expertise
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of operator data interpretation with an automated computational system. The system uses algorithms and processing power to analyze real-time fracturing data, substituting the human cognitive process with an automated mechanism that can handle the complexity and volume of data more effectively
2Adaptability or versatility
If operators alter hydraulic fracturing variables based on real-time data, then they can dynamically control the fracturing process, but the complexity of multiple variables makes it difficult to properly control the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex control process into distinct modules or components, each handling specific aspects of fracturing variable control. By dividing the overall control system into manageable segments, the patent reduces the perceived and actual complexity while maintaining the ability to dynamically adjust multiple variables based on real-time data
Solution Approach 2:
The automated interpretation system serves as an intermediary that simplifies the complex relationship between multiple fracturing variables and real-time data. It processes the complex data stream and provides simplified guidance or recommendations for variable adjustments, making the control process more manageable despite the high dimensionality of the parameter space
3Measurement precision
If more real-time fracturing data is gathered, then better control decisions can be made, but operators are overwhelmed by the wealth of data and unable to interpret it properly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an automated interpretation system as an intermediary between the detailed real-time data and the operator. This system handles the complex task of processing and making sense of the wealth of data, presenting interpreted results that are easier for operators to understand and act upon, thereby maintaining high measurement precision while improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual cognitive process of data interpretation with an automated computational system. This substitution enables the system to handle large volumes of complex real-time data efficiently, providing precise monitoring capabilities while eliminating the overwhelming effect on operators by automating the interpretation burden
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the subject technology relate to systems and methods for controlling a hydraulic fracturing job. Systems and methods are provided for receiving diagnostics data of a hydraulic fracturing completion of a wellbore, accessing a fracture formation model that models formation characteristics of fractures formed through the wellbore into a formation surrounding the wellbore during the hydraulic fracture completion with respect to surface variables of the hydraulic fracturing completion, selecting one or more subsurface objective functions from a plurality of subsurface objective functions for changing one or more of the formation characteristics of the fractures, and applying the fracture formation model based on the diagnostics data to determine values of the surface variables for controlling the formation characteristics of the fractures to converge on the one or more subsurface objective functions.