Friction Reducer Enhancer Accelerates Hydration Kinetics

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current friction reducers in fracturing fluids require time to dissolve and activate, leading to increased mechanical stress on pumps and reduced efficiency in high TDS and iron concentration environments, necessitating a faster hydrating and more effective solution.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a friction reducer enhancer, such as a surfactant, at a concentration greater than or equal to the critical micelle concentration, to accelerate hydration and enhance friction reduction in fracturing fluids, particularly in high TDS and iron-containing waters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional friction reducers are used in fracturing fluids, then friction reduction is achieved, but hydration time is excessive and mechanical stress on pumps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction reduction effectivenessVSAvoidhydration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a friction reducer enhancer as an intermediary substance that mediates between the friction reducer and the fracturing fluid. This enhancer accelerates the hydration process by facilitating faster interaction and dissolution, thereby reducing the time required for the friction reducer to become effective without compromising the friction reduction performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the fracturing fluid by adding a friction reducer enhancer that changes the hydration kinetics. This parameter change enables the system to achieve the same friction reduction effect in a shorter time frame, effectively resolving the time-loss contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conventional friction reducers are used in high TDS and iron concentration environments, then friction reduction is provided, but efficiency is reduced due to slower activation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction reduction effectivenessVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The friction reducer enhancer acts as a mediator that facilitates faster interaction between the friction reducer and the challenging water conditions (high TDS and iron concentration). This intermediary substance enables the system to overcome the efficiency reduction caused by difficult water conditions while maintaining effective friction reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The enhancer performs a preliminary action by pre-conditioning the fracturing fluid environment to be more receptive to the friction reducer. This preliminary anti-action counteracts the negative effects of high TDS and iron concentration before the friction reducer fully activates, thereby maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

3Stability of the object's composition

If friction reducers require extended dissolution time, then proper hydration is achieved, but pump mechanical stress increases and operational safety decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydration completenessVSAvoidmechanical stress on pumps

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The friction reducer enhancer performs a preliminary action by initiating and accelerating the hydration process before the friction reducer would normally dissolve. This preliminary action ensures that the friction reducer hydrates faster and more completely, reducing the duration of mechanical stress on pumps while achieving proper hydration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The enhancer serves as an intermediary that facilitates the hydration process, allowing the friction reducer to achieve complete hydration in a shorter time. This mediation reduces the exposure time to mechanical stress on pumps while ensuring the friction reducer is properly hydrated and effective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 friction reducer enhancer significantly reduces the final hydration time of friction reducers by up to 75% and increases maximum friction reduction, maintaining efficiency even in challenging water conditions, allowing for safer and more effective fracturing operations.

Implementation Method 1

accelerate hydration

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydration:

Implementation Method 2

Incorporating a friction reducer enhancer, such as a surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 3

enhance friction reduction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11479715B2Enhanced friction reducers for water-based fracturing fluids

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A fracturing fluid can include: a base fluid, wherein the base fluid comprises water; proppant; a friction reducer; and a friction reducer enhancer, wherein the friction reducer enhancer is a surfactant. The friction reducer enhancer can be in a concentration greater than or equal to a critical micelle concentration. Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation can include introducing the fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation. The friction reducer enhancer can increase the hydration rate of the friction reducer, whereby friction reduction of the fracturing fluid can occur much faster than without the friction reducer enhancer.