Halogenated Benzoic Aldehyde Tracer Composites for Formation Water Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydraulic fracturing methods fail to distinguish between formation water production and the return of aqueous fracturing fluid, making it difficult to determine which stages of a multistage well are producing formation water and at what rates, especially in horizontal wells.
Innovation Solution
A tracer composite comprising a solid carrier material that is non-soluble in water, with a halogenated benzoic aldehyde or acid tracer that is not eluted in low salinity water but releases as salinity increases, allowing for the tracing of formation water production by analyzing the presence and concentration of the tracer in produced fluids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If water soluble chemical tracers are used to trace fracturing fluid return, then the return flow can be detected, but formation water production cannot be distinguished from fracturing fluid return
Solution Approach 1:
The tracer system is segmented into multiple distinct tracer types, each with different solubility characteristics. Water-soluble tracers track fracturing fluid return while oil-soluble tracers track formation water production. This segmentation allows simultaneous detection of both fluid types without cross-contamination of information.
Solution Approach 2:
Oil-soluble tracers act as intermediaries that specifically target and trace formation water, which has oil-like properties. These tracers are carried by the formation water through the wellbore and can be detected in produced fluids, providing indirect evidence of formation water production that distinguishes it from aqueous fracturing fluid return.
2Productivity
If multiple fracturing stages are conducted in horizontal wells, then enhanced recovery is achieved, but it becomes difficult to determine which stages are producing formation water
Solution Approach 1:
Each fracturing stage is assigned a unique tracer or a specific combination of tracers. By analyzing which tracers appear in the produced fluid from each stage, operators can precisely identify which stages are producing formation water and at what rates, maintaining measurement precision across multiple stages.
Solution Approach 2:
Different tracer compositions are applied to different fracturing stages based on their specific geological characteristics and production goals. This local customization of tracer properties allows each stage to be independently tracked and evaluated for formation water production.
3Ease of operation
If formation water production is not distinguished from fracturing fluid return, then water allocation and operational optimization cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-tracer system provides continuous feedback on both fracturing fluid return and formation water production. By measuring tracer concentrations in produced fluids, operators receive real-time information about water sources, enabling dynamic adjustments to production rates, injection rates, and well management strategies.
Solution Approach 2:
Oil-soluble tracers serve as intermediaries that specifically mark formation water, allowing operators to indirectly measure and quantify formation water production. This intermediary approach enables accurate water allocation and operational decisions without requiring direct sampling or complex downhole measurements.
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 accurate identification and quantification of formation water production from individual fractured zones, preventing excessive water production and optimizing fracturing operations by distinguishing between fracturing fluid return and formation water flow.
Implementation Method 1
a solid carrier material which is substantially non-soluble in water and a tracer carried on the carrier material
Implementation Method 2
the tracer is not substantially eluted from the carrier in water having a salinity level of less than 1 part per thousand by weight but is eluted from the carrier at a rate which increases as the water salinity level increases
Data Source
AI summary
A method of hydraulic fracturing, and tracer composites for use in the fracturing procedure, for tracing the production of formation water from one or more fractured zones. The tracer composites preferably include a formation water tracer material adsorbed onto a solid carrier material.