Geological Analysis for Fracturing Stage Placement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Deviated drilling and hydraulic fracturing operations often lack sufficient subsurface information, leading to inefficient fracking due to the high cost and risk of using wireline tools, and result in uniform geometric patterns that do not accurately account for geological heterogeneities, potentially reducing the effectiveness of frack operations.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilize geological samples obtained during drilling to determine subsurface geology, generating primary, secondary, and tertiary data to optimize the placement of stages and perforation clusters, reducing the need for additional wireline tools and minimizing costs and risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If wireline tools are used to obtain subsurface information during deviated drilling, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubsurface information accuracyVSAvoidwireline tool complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of surface-based sensors and data processing equipment that indirectly measures subsurface properties through drill cuttings analysis, avoiding the need to deploy complex wireline tools into the wellbore

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical wireline tool system with a surface-based analytical system that uses chemical and physical analysis of drill cuttings to determine subsurface geology, eliminating the need for mechanical intervention downhole

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If wireline tools are used for frack operations in deviated wells, then subsurface characterization is improved, but reliability decreases due to tool damage risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverock property characterizationVSAvoidtool reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses drill cuttings as an intermediary medium to transfer information from the subsurface to the surface, where analysis can be performed without exposing sensitive measurement equipment to the harsh downhole environment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The drilling operation itself generates the samples (drill cuttings) that are needed for geological analysis, eliminating the need for separate tool deployments and making the system self-sufficient

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If uniform geometric frack patterns are used in deviated wells, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to account for geological heterogeneity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrack operation simplicityVSAvoidstage and perforation placement accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by tailoring the frack stage locations and perforation cluster arrangements to match the specific geological characteristics of each subsurface interval, rather than applying a uniform pattern throughout the well

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary geological analysis during the drilling phase to characterize subsurface heterogeneities before the frack operation begins, allowing optimization of the frack design in advance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If geological analysis during drilling is performed, then productivity is improved through optimized frack design, but loss of time occurs during sample analysis

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrack operation effectivenessVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent maintains continuity of useful action by performing geological analysis continuously during the drilling operation rather than as a separate post-drilling step, ensuring that frack design optimization occurs without interrupting the overall project timeline

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS11441420B2System and method for using geological analysis for the designing of stimulation operations

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 CGG SERVICES SAS

AI summary

Well completion is accomplished by obtaining a sample of geological material from the subsurface and generating primary data for the sample of geological material. The primary data include textural data, chemical data and mineralogical data. The primary data are used to derive secondary data for the sample of geological material, and the primary data and the secondary data are used to generate tertiary data for the sample of geological material. The tertiary data are a quantification of physical characteristics of the sample of geological material. The primary data, secondary data and tertiary data are used to determine a location of a stage along a well and an arrangement of perforation clusters in the stage.