Downhole Heating Device for Rock Formation Fracturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing fracturing methods for geological formations, such as shale, are complex and costly due to the need for multiple stages of high-pressure fluid circulation, which can be inefficient in weakening the rock formation to facilitate hydrocarbon production.
Innovation Solution
A downhole heating system that applies focused heat to the rock formation, reducing its static Young's modulus and weakening it to create fractures, thereby simplifying the fracturing process and potentially reducing the number of stages required in hydraulic fracturing operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple stages of high-pressure fluid circulation are used for fracturing, then the rock formation can be fractured to enable hydrocarbon production, but the operational complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional mechanical hydraulic fracturing system with a thermal treatment system. Instead of using high-pressure fluid circulation to fracture the rock, the invention uses heated fluid or electromagnetic heating to thermally weaken the rock formation, reducing its strength and making it more susceptible to fracturing. This substitution of mechanical action with thermal action simplifies the overall process by eliminating the need for multiple high-pressure pumping stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the rock formation through thermal treatment. By heating the rock to elevated temperatures, the rock's mechanical properties are altered - specifically, its strength and elasticity are reduced. This parameter change makes the rock more friable and easier to fracture, thereby improving productivity while reducing the complexity of subsequent fracturing operations.
2Productivity
If multiple stages of high-pressure fluid circulation are used for fracturing, then the rock formation can be fractured, but the operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the energy-intensive mechanical hydraulic fracturing process with a thermal treatment process. Instead of consuming large amounts of energy to pump high-pressure fluids through multiple stages, the invention uses thermal energy to precondition the rock. This substitution reduces operational costs by eliminating the repeated high-pressure pumping cycles required in conventional multi-stage fracturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal treatment serves as a preliminary action that prepares the rock formation for easier fracturing. By pre-heating the rock to reduce its strength and increase its friability, the subsequent fracturing operation requires less energy. This preliminary thermal conditioning step reduces the overall energy consumption and operational costs compared to performing multiple high-pressure fracturing stages without pre-treatment.
3Productivity
If high-pressure fluid is pumped to fracture the rock formation, then fractures are created for hydrocarbon flow, but the process is inefficient in weakening the rock
Solution Approach 1:
The invention directly addresses rock weakening efficiency by changing the temperature parameter of the rock formation. Thermal treatment fundamentally alters the rock's mechanical properties, reducing its strength and making it more susceptible to fracturing. This approach is more efficient than high-pressure fluid injection because it directly weakens the rock's internal structure through thermal effects, rather than relying solely on mechanical stress to create fractures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the inefficient mechanical rock-weakening process with a thermal process. Instead of using high-pressure fluids to mechanically stress the rock and hope for fracturing, the invention uses thermal energy to systematically weaken the rock's structural integrity. This substitution provides more predictable and efficient rock weakening, as the thermal effects directly target the rock's mechanical properties and can be controlled to achieve uniform preconditioning throughout the treatment zone.
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 heat treatment system effectively weakens the rock formation, making it more susceptible to fracturing, which can lead to increased hydrocarbon production efficiency and reduced operational complexity and costs by creating fractures and reducing rock strength.
Implementation Method 1
the heating device configured to transfer heat to the geologic formation in the wellbore at a specified temperature sufficient to adjust a quality of the geologic formation associated with a rock strength of the geologic formation
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole tool system includes a downhole tool string configured to couple to a downhole conveyance that extends in a wellbore from a terranean surface through at least a portion of a subterranean zone, the subterranean zone including a geologic formation; and a heating device coupled with the downhole tool string, the heating device configured to transfer heat to the geologic formation in the wellbore at a specified temperature sufficient to adjust a quality of the geologic formation associated with a rock strength of the geologic formation.