Fracturing Fluid Polymer Particles for Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current friction reducers for hydraulic fracturing, such as polyacrylamide invert emulsions and granulated polymers, are costly and impractical for use in high-pressure fracturing operations, with polyacrylamide invert emulsions being expensive and granulated polymers requiring lengthy hydration times, which complicates their application in continuous processes.
Innovation Solution
A formulation comprising a fluid with an oil phase and water-soluble polymer particles dispersed in it, which rapidly inverts upon contact with water to achieve high friction reduction, reducing operational costs and allowing for continuous addition processes without the need for specialized equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If polyacrylamide invert emulsion is used as friction reducer, then friction reduction is achieved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive polyacrylamide invert emulsion with a cheaper alternative formulation consisting of water-soluble polymer particles dispersed in a non-aqueous fluid. This substitution maintains friction reduction functionality while significantly lowering material costs, directly addressing the technical contradiction between achieving friction reduction and controlling costs.
2Reliability
If granulated polymer is used as friction reducer, then cost is reduced, but hydration time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and composition parameters of the polymer formulation. Instead of using granulated polymer requiring hydration, it employs pre-dispersed water-soluble polymer particles in a non-aqueous fluid. This parameter change eliminates the hydration time requirement while maintaining cost effectiveness, resolving the contradiction between cost reduction and time loss.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If high concentration of friction reducer is used, then friction reduction is enhanced, but viscosity increases and pumping becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the unique property of the non-aqueous fluid carrier to maintain low viscosity even at high polymer concentrations. The water-soluble polymer particles dispersed in the non-aqueous fluid do not cause significant viscosity increase, allowing high friction reduction performance without excessive pumping energy requirements. This resolves the contradiction between enhancing friction reduction and controlling pumping energy use.
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
The formulation provides rapid and high-level friction reduction, enabling lower pumping pressures and increased fracturing efficiency, potentially reducing the number of fracture stages required and lowering overall operational costs compared to existing solutions.
Implementation Method 1
A formulation comprising a fluid with an oil phase and water-soluble polymer particles dispersed in it, which rapidly inverts upon contact with water
Implementation Method 2
water-soluble polymer particles dispersed in it
Data Source
AI summary
Formulations for fracturing fluids that include (i) a fluid (D) including an oil phase in which the fluid (D) is an inverse emulsion including a water-soluble polymer (B) and said oil phase; and (ii) particles of a water-soluble polymer (C), which are different than water-soluble polymer (B), wherein the particles of polymer (C) are dispersed in said oil phase as solid discrete particles. The fluid (D) includes at least 15wt % polymer (B).