Hydraulic Fracturing Pressure Control to Limit Shear-Induced Energy Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fracturing operations in subsurface formations often result in shear induced fracture fields that lead to stress interference, increasing pressure and wasting effective energy due to the transition of fracture orientation from vertical to horizontal, limiting the amount of energy that can be effectively applied to the formation.
Innovation Solution
Implementing sensors such as fiber optic cables and pressure sensors to monitor fracture system pressure and identify shear induced fracture fields, allowing for real-time management of fracture system pressure to prevent exceeding the pressure ceiling and optimize energy deployment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydraulic fracturing operations are conducted to create fractures in the subsurface formation, then fluid and sand can be pumped into the wellbore to create conduits for flow, but stress interference and shear induced fracture fields cause pressure to increase significantly, wasting effective energy
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting shear induced fracture fields and determining pressure ceilings before excessive pressure buildup occurs. By monitoring strain and pressure in advance and identifying when shear fractures are initiating, the system can adjust pumping operations proactively to prevent energy waste from vertical-to-horizontal fracture orientation transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring fracture system pressure and strain through sensors, detecting shear induced fracture fields, and using this information to adjust pumping operations. The feedback loop compares real-time pressure data against determined pressure ceilings and modifies fracture treatment parameters to minimize energy waste while maintaining productivity.
2Productivity
If multiple wellbores are hydraulically fractured to increase production, then more fractures are created in the subsurface formation, but stress interference between fractures generates complex fracture systems and increases pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the fracture treatment process into manageable portions by detecting and isolating shear induced fracture fields between wellbores. By identifying distinct fracture zones and their associated stress fields, the system can independently manage pressure in each zone, preventing excessive pressure interference between multiple wellbores while maintaining overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies local quality by tailoring fracture treatment parameters to specific local conditions. By detecting shear induced fracture fields at different locations between wellbores, the system adjusts pressure, pump rate, and treatment duration locally in each fracture zone, optimizing production while minimizing stress interference between adjacent wellbores.
3Reliability
If fracture treatment is applied to increase permeability, then effective energy is delivered into the reservoir, but pressure approaches overburden pressure causing fracture orientation transition from vertical to horizontal
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of shear induced fracture fields and determination of pressure ceilings before the critical fracture orientation transition occurs. By monitoring strain and pressure in advance, the system can adjust treatment parameters proactively to maintain vertical fracture orientation and prevent energy waste from horizontal fracture formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from real-time pressure and strain monitoring to detect when fracture orientation is approaching the critical transition point. By comparing measured pressure against determined pressure ceilings and observing strain changes, the system adjusts pump rate and treatment parameters to maintain optimal vertical fracture orientation while maximizing permeability enhancement.
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
Minimizes wasted effective energy by adjusting wellbore operations and completion sequencing, enhancing permeability and production performance while reducing costs and risks of casing damage and seismicity.
Implementation Method 1
sensors such as fiber optic cables and pressure sensors to monitor fracture system pressure
Implementation Method 2
sensors such as fiber optic cables and pressure sensors to monitor fracture system pressure
Implementation Method 3
fluid and sand may be pumped into a wellbore to hydraulically fracture a subsurface formation
Implementation Method 4
stress interference, increasing pressure and wasting effective energy due to the transition of fracture orientation from vertical to horizontal
Data Source
AI summary
A method comprises obtaining, via one or more sensors, measurements of a fracture system proximate one or more wellbores formed in a subsurface formation while hydraulically fracturing one or more wellbores. The method comprises identifying one or more shear induced fracture fields within the fracture system based on the measurements. The method comprises determining a pressure ceiling of the fracture system. The method comprises performing a wellbore operation to minimize wasted effective energy put into the subsurface formation, via the hydraulic fracturing, based on the shear induced fracture fields and the pressure ceiling.