Hydrating Polymer-Coated Proppant for Hydraulic Fracturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oil well fracturing processes are inefficient due to the need for extensive equipment, manpower, and resources for mixing and transporting fracturing fluids, which leads to delays, environmental risks, and increased operational footprints.
Innovation Solution
A method and composition using a substrate, such as sand or ceramic sand, coated with a hydrating polymer, which is mixed directly into drilling fluids, allowing for immediate absorption and distribution within the fluid, reducing the need for extensive mixing and transportation, and providing effective propping of fractures without settling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fracturing fluids are used with separate mixing and transportation processes, then various constituents can be added to the fluid, but extensive equipment, manpower, and resources are required leading to delays and increased operational footprint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple fracturing fluid constituents (proppants, chemicals, and fluid) into a single pre-mixed composition that is delivered in one operation. This eliminates the need for separate mixing equipment, multiple storage areas, and sequential addition processes, directly reducing device complexity and operational footprint while maintaining the ability to provide various necessary constituents.
Solution Approach 2:
The fracturing composition is pre-mixed and prepared before delivery to the well site. All constituents are combined in the correct proportions during manufacturing, eliminating the need for on-site mixing operations. This preliminary action reduces equipment requirements, manpower needs, and time delays associated with mixing and transportation of separate components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If separate mixing processes are used for fracturing fluids, then materials can be thoroughly mixed, but substantial time and energy are required for mixing and transportation
Solution Approach 1:
By combining all fracturing constituents into a single pre-mixed composition, the patent eliminates the time-consuming sequential mixing process. The uniform distribution achieved during manufacturing is maintained through delivery and application, providing thorough mixing without the time and energy costs of on-site mixing operations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If chemicals are added to fracturing fluid at the well site, then the fluid can be customized, but uneven distributions of additives occur and thorough distribution is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The precise distribution of chemicals is achieved during the pre-mixing process at the manufacturing stage, where controlled conditions ensure uniform incorporation of all additives. This preliminary precision eliminates the problem of uneven distribution that occurs when chemicals are added at the well site, while still allowing customization through selective inclusion of constituents during the pre-mixing phase.
4Productivity
If proppants and chemicals are transported separately, then materials can be delivered as needed, but multiple vehicles and specialized equipment are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple materials (proppants, chemicals, and fracturing fluid) into a single transportable composition. This allows all necessary fracturing materials to be delivered in one operation using a single vehicle or system, eliminating the need for multiple specialized vehicles and equipment while maintaining delivery flexibility and productivity.
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
This approach significantly reduces time, energy, and costs associated with fracturing operations while minimizing environmental risks and operational footprints by ensuring uniform distribution and effective propping of fractures, enhancing oil production.
Implementation Method 1
a substrate, such as sand or ceramic sand, coated with a hydrating polymer, which is mixed directly into drilling fluids, allowing for immediate absorption and distribution within the fluid
Implementation Method 2
a substrate, such as sand or ceramic sand, coated with a hydrating polymer
Data Source
AI summary
A method for improving the performance of fracturing processes in oil production fields may rely on polymer coated particles carried in the fracturing fluid. The particles may include heavy substrates, such as sand, ceramic sand, or the like coated with polymers selected to absorb water, increasing the area and volume to travel more readily with the flow of fluid without settling out, or allowing the substrate to settle out. Ultimately, the substrate may become lodged in the fissures formed by the pressure or hydraulic fracturing, resulting in propping open of the fissures for improved productivity.