Fracturing Controller Managing Proppant Bridging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Inducing far field fracture complexity and controlling fracture geometry during hydraulic fracturing is challenging, as existing methods struggle to effectively manage proppant bridging, which restricts fluid flow and affects hydrocarbon production.
Innovation Solution
The method involves selectively placing proppant banks in fractures by controlling proppant bridging through acceleration or deceleration, using fracturing monitoring information such as treating pressure and frequency component analysis to identify and manage proppant bridging during low rate treatment stages of hydraulic fracturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high rate fracturing treatment is applied to create fractures, then fracture formation and hydrocarbon flow increase are achieved, but proppant bridging control becomes difficult and fracture geometry control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a static high-rate fracturing treatment to a dynamic treatment that adjusts injection rate in real-time. The system monitors proppant bridging indicators (pressure, flow rate, proppant concentration) and dynamically adjusts the injection rate to accelerate or decelerate proppant bridging, enabling active control of fracture geometry while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the injection rate parameter from a constant high value to a variable parameter that can be adjusted during treatment. By changing the injection rate based on monitored proppant bridging conditions, the system optimizes both fracture creation and proppant placement, resolving the contradiction between productivity and operational control
2Shape
If proppant bridging is accelerated to control fracture geometry, then fracture diversion and complexity increase, but fluid flow restriction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by alternating between phases of accelerated proppant bridging (to control geometry) and maintained fluid injection (to preserve flow). The system periodically adjusts injection rate to create proppant banks at strategic locations while ensuring adequate fluid continues to reach distant fracture regions, achieving both geometry control and flow maintenance
3Ease of operation
If low rate treatment stage is used to control proppant bridging, then fracture diversion control improves, but treatment time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a low-rate treatment stage early in the fracturing process to establish controlled proppant bridging patterns before transitioning to higher rates. This preliminary control phase creates favorable fracture geometry and proppant distribution that reduces the need for extended treatment time later, resolving the time-control contradiction
Data Source
AI summary
A fracturing controller, a method for controlling fracture diversion, and a hydraulic fracturing system are provided herein. One example of a method for controlling fracture diversion of a fracture during hydraulic fracturing, includes: (1) providing a first fracturing treatment for the fracture at a first pump rate, (2) subsequently providing a low rate treatment for the fracture at a reduced pump rate less than the first pump rate, and (3) changing the reduced pump rate based on proppant bridging in the fracture during the low rate treatment.