Fracturing Fluid Density Control for Vertical Fracture Steering
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic fracturing methods are inefficient and costly, leading to uncontrolled vertical fracture growth, often resulting in fractures growing upward, which can waste resources and fail to target hydrocarbons effectively, especially when oil prices are low.
Innovation Solution
The method involves varying the specific gravity of fracking fluids and proppants to control the direction and rate of fracture growth by using materials like barite and hematite, and adjusting slurry densities in real-time based on pressure and seismic data to steer fractures vertically, ensuring that at least 80% of fracture growth can be directed upward or downward.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fracking fluids with lower gradient than formation fracture gradient are used, then fractures can be created and proppants can hold them open, but fractures tend to grow upward uncontrollably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of the fracturing fluid by adding weighting materials (barite, hematite) to match or exceed the formation fracture gradient, thereby controlling fracture growth direction and preventing uncontrolled upward propagation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different fluid densities to different depth zones, using heavier fluids for deeper zones and lighter fluids for shallower zones to achieve localized control over fracture growth in each perforated interval
2Productivity
If fluid is pumped into multiple perforated zones, then hydrocarbons can be extracted from various depths, but most fluid enters the shallowest zone due to upward fracture growth tendency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent varies the density parameter of pumping fluids across different zones, using heavier fluids for deeper zones to overcome the upward growth tendency and ensure proper fluid distribution to all targeted perforated intervals
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs sequential pumping of different density fluids in a scheduled manner, alternating between heavier and lighter fluids to systematically control fracture growth and fluid distribution across multiple zones over time
3Ease of operation
If heavier weighting materials are added to control fracture direction, then fracture growth control improves, but slurry density and pumping complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the density parameter of slurries by adding weighting materials to match formation fracture gradients, enabling control over fracture growth direction while managing slurry composition for effective pumping
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts slurry density by varying the concentration and type of weighting materials (barite, hematite) and proppant content to optimize fracture control while maintaining pumpability and managing complexity
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 significantly improves the control over fracture growth direction, reduces costs by up to 10%, and ensures fractures stay within targeted hydrocarbon zones, minimizing upward growth into water zones and optimizing resource extraction.
Implementation Method 1
varying the specific gravity of a slurry and/or fluid being pumped into a well during a fracking operation
Implementation Method 2
adding proppant that sinks, is neutrally buoyant, or is buoyant relative to the slurry in which it is mixed
Implementation Method 3
proppant that is designed to migrate to the high side or low side or distribute equally along a vertical fracture
Implementation Method 4
injecting the rock with a pressurized liquid. High pressure injection of a fracking fluid into a wellbore creates cracks in rock formations
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A system, composition and method for controlling vertical growth direction (up and down) of one or more fractures and/or rate of growth of one or more fractures by varying the specific gravity of one or more slurries or fluids being pumped into a well during a fracking operation.