Functionalized Polymer Proppants for Fracture Zone Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fracking techniques face challenges in effectively monitoring the efficiency of well production zones and identifying issues such as water production, making it difficult to assess the performance of each zone and determine the need for re-fracking.
Innovation Solution
The use of functionalized polymer proppants that release chemical taggants when in contact with hydrocarbons or water, allowing for unique identification of each zone and enabling the assessment of production efficiency by detecting these taggants in well fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional proppants are used in fracking, then the mechanical function of holding open fissures is achieved, but the ability to monitor production efficiency and identify water-producing zones is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the mechanical support function of conventional proppants with the information-carrying function of functionalized polymers into a single integrated system. The functionalized polymer coating on proppant beads merges structural integrity with chemical tagging capabilities, allowing simultaneous fulfillment of mechanical and monitoring functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The proppant system is designed to perform multiple functions: holding open fissures mechanically while simultaneously providing chemical tagging for production monitoring. The functionalized polymer layer enables the same proppant to serve both as a structural support element and as an information carrier that responds to hydrocarbon or water contact.
2Measurement precision
If functionalized polymer proppants are used to enable zone identification, then production monitoring capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The functionalized polymer coating is applied to proppant beads during the manufacturing process, before deployment. This preliminary action embeds the chemical tagging capability into the proppant structure during production, rather than requiring post-manufacturing modification or complex assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The proppant system uses composite material structure combining conventional proppant core material with a functionalized polymer coating layer. This composite approach allows the bulk mechanical properties to be determined by the proppant core while the surface polymer layer provides the chemical tagging functionality, separating the requirements for mechanical strength and chemical reactivity.
3Productivity
If multiple tracer chemical compounds are released for unique zone identification, then production efficiency assessment is improved, but detection system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different functionalized polymer compositions or chemical taggant types are assigned to different zones or proppant batches. This local quality differentiation allows unique identification of production sources through chemical analysis of detected taggants, enabling zone-specific productivity assessment.
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
Enables the determination of hydrocarbon production performance for each zone, assessment of fracking effectiveness, and identification of zones requiring re-fracking, thereby improving overall well efficiency and reducing water production.
Implementation Method 1
functionalized polymer proppants that release chemical taggants when in contact with hydrocarbons or water
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a proppant or proppant mixture having insert materials configured for providing a mechanical or physical function in a well to hold open fissures or pathways created in formations caused by well fracking to allow a release of a hydrocarbon from the well, the insert materials being configured at least partly with beads having a functionalized polymer so as to form functionalized polymer proppants that are configured to respond to the hydrocarbon or other composition of matter released from the well, including water, and provide at least one chemical taggant containing an indication about the hydrocarbon or other composition of matter released from the well. The functionalized polymer may include a dual-monomer structure.