Hydraulic Fracturing Design Using Fibre Degradation Modeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydraulic fracturing methods lack accurate modeling of fibre degradation in fracturing fluids, leading to non-uniform proppant distribution and inefficiencies in fracture conductivity, due to the failure to account for temperature and pH-dependent fibre properties, resulting in overestimation or underestimation of fibre transport capacity.
Innovation Solution
A two-dimensional hydraulic fracturing model is generated to optimize fracturing design by incorporating fibre degradation matrices based on experimental data, considering temperature and pH effects, to accurately predict fibre transport capacity and proppant distribution within the fracture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If degradable fibres are added to the fracturing fluid to increase effective viscosity and reduce proppant settling velocity, then proppant transport capacity is improved, but fibre degradation due to temperature and pH changes causes non-uniform proppant distribution and reduces fracture conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-determining the optimal fibre concentration and degradation characteristics before the fracturing operation. The system calculates the required fibre properties based on anticipated downhole temperature and pH conditions, ensuring that the fibres will maintain adequate viscosity support throughout the intended transport distance while degrading appropriately to allow uniform proppant distribution. This pre-planning prevents both over-degradation (which would cause settling) and under-degradation (which would cause non-uniform distribution).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by selecting fibres with specific degradation rates tailored to the downhole environment. The system adjusts fibre concentration, length, and material composition to match the expected temperature and pH profile of the formation. This allows the fibres to maintain their viscosity-enhancing function during transport, then degrade at a controlled rate to enable uniform proppant distribution and maintain fracture conductivity.
2Length of moving object
If fibre concentration is increased to extend proppant transport distance, then transport capacity is improved, but premature fibre degradation occurs in high-temperature formations, reducing fracture conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by selecting fibres with temperature-resistant properties matched to the specific formation temperature. The system calculates the optimal fibre concentration and degradation profile based on the downhole temperature profile, ensuring that fibres maintain their structural integrity and viscosity-enhancing capabilities throughout the required transport distance. The fibre parameters (concentration, length, material composition) are specifically tuned to resist degradation at the anticipated formation temperature while still allowing controlled degradation after proppant placement to maintain fracture conductivity.
3Device complexity
If current modelling approaches are used that do not account for fibre degradation, then fracturing design is simplified, but fibre transport capacity is overestimated or underestimated leading to inefficient fracturing operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex physical fibre degradation monitoring with a computational model that predicts fibre behavior based on downhole conditions. Instead of requiring real-time measurement of fibre degradation (which would be extremely complex), the system uses a mathematical model that calculates fibre stability and transport capacity based on input parameters such as formation temperature, pH, and expected residence time. This substitution maintains high prediction accuracy while keeping the fracturing design process computationally manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual representation (copy) of the fibre degradation process through computational modeling. The model replicates the expected fibre behavior under downhole conditions without requiring physical experimentation or complex monitoring systems. This virtual copy allows engineers to predict fibre transport capacity and degradation patterns accurately, enabling optimized fracturing design while avoiding the complexity of direct physical measurement and control.
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 optimizes fracturing design by improving proppant distribution uniformity, reducing the risk of premature settling and fibre bridging, and enhancing fracture conductivity, thereby increasing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing operations.
Implementation Method 1
The fibres dispersed in the fluid (with a reasonable concentration) mechanically interact with the proppant particles, thus reducing the Stokes settling velocity of solid particles in the viscous fluid
Implementation Method 2
after forming the proppant pack in the fracture, the polymer fibres gradually degrade (the degradation rate depends on such factors as temperature, pH, fibre material), which increases the proppant pack conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
The provided method allows optimizing the fracturing design (frac design) while taking into account the two-dimensional modelling of the transport processes in the fracture. The generation of the fracturing design in a well comprises the steps of: obtaining data on hydraulic fracturing including the proppant pumping schedule and the fibre pumping schedule for various types of fibres; generating a degradation matrix for the various types of fibres; generating possible options of the hydraulic fracturing operation according to the fibre type and pumping schedule. Moreover, the method of hydraulic fracturing, which comprises generating a schedule of fracturing in a well, preparing a fracturing fluid containing carrier fluid, proppant, additives, and fibres, and pumping the fracturing fluid into the formation through the well following the selected (optimal) option of the fracturing operation, is provided.