Fracturing Fluid Proppant Placement via CO2 Phase Inversion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for forming high-quality fracturing fluids with proppant concentrations above 50% face challenges in maintaining constant viscosity and require higher water loads, leading to increased treatment costs and formation damage.
Innovation Solution
Adding proppant only to the CO2 side of the fracturing fluid, which maintains a constant internal phase ratio and viscosity by automatically adjusting the CO2 flow rate, thereby reducing the water load and simplifying control during the fracturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If proppant is added to the water side to achieve high proppant concentration, then proppant transport is improved, but water load increases leading to formation damage and higher treatment costs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding proppant to the water phase as in conventional methods, the invention adds proppant to the CO2 phase. This inversion allows high proppant concentration to be achieved with reduced water load, thereby minimizing formation damage while maintaining effective proppant transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the CO2 phase (gas/liquid) as the primary carrier for proppant instead of the water phase. By injecting proppant-laden CO2 into the formation, the system achieves high proppant placement with minimal water involvement, reducing formation damage associated with water-sensitive formations.
2Strength
If Mitchell quality is increased above 50% to improve fracturing fluid performance, then viscosity and proppant transport are enhanced, but water flow rate decreases limiting proppant addition
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional approach by adding proppant to the CO2 phase rather than the water phase. This allows high Mitchell quality (above 50%) to be maintained while achieving high proppant concentration, as the CO2 phase can accommodate proppant without the same flow rate limitations as the water phase.
3Adaptability or versatility
If proppant concentration is varied during treatment to optimize fracture filling, then fracture coverage is improved, but slurry quality and viscosity become difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements a control system that monitors proppant concentration in the CO2 phase and adjusts CO2 flow rate accordingly to maintain constant slurry quality. This feedback mechanism allows proppant concentration to be varied during treatment while automatically compensating to maintain consistent viscosity and slurry quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the CO2 flow rate in response to changes in proppant concentration. As proppant concentration increases during treatment, the CO2 flow rate is automatically reduced to maintain constant slurry quality, enabling adaptive proppant placement while maintaining fluid stability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If constant slurry quality is maintained by dynamically adjusting CO2 flow rate, then viscosity stability is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A feedback control system monitors proppant concentration in the CO2 phase and automatically adjusts CO2 flow rate to maintain constant slurry quality and viscosity. This automated feedback mechanism simplifies operation while ensuring viscosity stability throughout the treatment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system automatically regulates CO2 flow rate based on proppant concentration measurements, enabling the system to self-adjust and maintain constant slurry quality without requiring complex manual intervention or sophisticated control equipment.
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 allows for a higher proppant concentration with reduced water usage, maintaining constant slurry quality and viscosity, thus optimizing fracturing fluid performance and reducing formation damage.
Implementation Method 1
the LCO2 energizes the fracture fluid and promotes water flow-back through vaporization and expansion when pressure is removed from the fractured formation
Implementation Method 2
the LCO2 energizes the fracture fluid and promotes water flow-back through vaporization and expansion when pressure is removed from the fractured formation
Implementation Method 3
With the aid of additives such as surfactants and gels, a stable emulsion of LCO2 in water is formed at or near the addition point
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a proppant laden fracture fluid having a Mitchell quality of at least 50% and fracturing a subterranean formation therewith.