Low Pressure Post-Fracturing Conditioning for Hydrocarbon Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low permeability subterranean formations pose challenges in hydrocarbon production due to limited flow paths, requiring hydraulic fracturing to create fractures, but existing fractures often have low permeability, limiting hydrocarbon flow rates.
Innovation Solution
The system employs hydraulic fracturing to create induced fractures and uses a post-fracturing conditioning material injected at lower pressures to enhance the permeability of naturally occurring fractures, increasing their connectivity and flow efficiency with induced fractures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydraulic fracturing is performed to create induced fractures, then flow paths are established for hydrocarbon production, but the permeability of naturally occurring fractures remains low, limiting hydrocarbon flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from high pressure (fracture initiation) to lower pressure (below fracture initiation pressure) for the conditioning material injection. This parameter change allows the conditioning material to enter and condition naturally occurring fractures without creating new fractures, thereby enhancing existing fracture permeability and hydrocarbon flow rates
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a conditioning material as an intermediary substance that mediates between the injection system and the naturally occurring fractures. This conditioning material enhances the permeability of existing fractures by cleaning, swelling, or chemically treating the fracture surfaces, thereby improving hydrocarbon flow without requiring high-pressure fracturing
2Device complexity
If high pressure injection is used to create fractures, then new flow paths are formed, but existing naturally occurring fractures maintain low permeability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by first creating induced fractures through hydraulic fracturing, then subsequently injecting conditioning material to enhance the permeability of naturally occurring fractures. This two-stage preliminary action ensures both fracture network connectivity and high hydrocarbon production rates by preparing the fracture system before production
3Productivity
If fracture initiation pressure is exceeded to create fractures, then induced fractures are formed, but naturally occurring fractures remain poorly connected
Solution Approach 1:
The conditioning material acts as an intermediary that enhances the connection and communication between induced fractures and naturally occurring fractures. By improving the permeability of naturally occurring fractures through conditioning material injection, the system achieves better fracture interconnectivity and hydrocarbon flow efficiency without requiring additional high-pressure fracturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by injecting conditioning material at pressures below fracture initiation pressure, allowing the material to selectively condition naturally occurring fractures and improve their connectivity with induced fractures, thereby enhancing overall fracture interconnectivity and hydrocarbon flow efficiency
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 increases the permeability and surface area of naturally occurring fractures, enhancing hydrocarbon flow rates by multiple factors, thereby improving hydrocarbon production from low permeability formations.
Implementation Method 1
hydraulic fracturing fluid is injected through wellbore into the subterranean formation at sufficient rates and pressures
Implementation Method 2
When the pressure exceeds a critical value (the fracture initiation pressure), the formation rock cracks and fractures
Implementation Method 3
uses a post-fracturing conditioning material injected at lower pressures to enhance the permeability of naturally occurring fractures
Data Source
AI summary
A process for producing hydrocarbon material from a subterranean formation comprising:injecting a first conditioning material, via a wellbore, to effect fracturing of a subterranean formation such that a hydraulically fractured formation, including an induced fracture, is obtained;after the fracturing, injecting post-fracturing conditioning material, via the wellbore, into hydraulically fractured formation; andafter the injecting of the post-fracturing conditioning material, producing, via the wellbore, hydrocarbon material from the hydraulically fractured formation;wherein:the pressure of the post-fracturing conditioning material is less than the pressure of the injected fracturing fluid; andthe post-fracturing conditioning material includes proppant.