Low Profile Diverter for Uniform Hydraulic Fracturing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The oil and gas industry faces challenges in achieving uniform hydraulic fracturing across horizontal wellbores due to variations in rock permeability, leading to inefficient stimulation and higher costs associated with multiple fracing stages.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of low profile diverters that temporarily seal perforations in the well casing, allowing frac fluid and proppants to be redirected to less permeable areas, reducing the number of required fracing stages and enhancing fracture distribution across the wellbore.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional fracing methods are used without diverters, then the fracing process is simpler, but frac fluid preferentially flows into more permeable rock formations, leaving less permeable areas insufficiently stimulated
Solution Approach 1:
Diverters are introduced as intermediary devices that temporarily seal perforations in wellbore segments. These diverters act as mediators to redirect frac fluid flow from high-permeability zones to low-permeability zones, achieving uniform fracture distribution without requiring complex multi-stage fracing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The fracing process employs periodic action by sequentially activating different wellbore segments. Diverters are deployed to temporarily seal off already-fractured segments, allowing subsequent frac fluid injection to target previously under-stimulated segments in a periodic sequence, thereby achieving uniform stimulation across the entire wellbore
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple fracing stages are used to achieve uniform stimulation, then better fracture distribution is achieved, but the number of required stages and associated costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wellbore is segmented into multiple zones using diverters that temporarily seal specific perforation clusters. This segmentation allows frac fluid to be systematically directed to different segments in sequence, achieving uniform stimulation across the entire wellbore length without requiring multiple complete fracing stages
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by using diverters to dynamically alter flow paths and pressure distribution. By temporarily sealing certain segments, the frac fluid pressure and flow rate parameters are effectively redirected to target under-stimulated areas, achieving uniform fracture distribution in a single or reduced number of stages
3Manufacturing precision
If diverters are introduced to redirect frac fluid, then uniform fracture distribution is improved, but the complexity of the fracing operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
Diverters serve as simple intermediary devices that are pumped into the wellbore and automatically deploy to seal perforations. Their operation is passive and self-regulating, requiring minimal intervention while effectively redirecting frac fluid flow to achieve uniform fracture distribution without complicating the overall operation
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 enables more efficient fracturing by reducing the number of stages needed, potentially eliminating the need for multiple stages, thereby lowering costs and improving initial production rates and ultimate recovery of oil and gas.
Implementation Method 1
The diverter comprises an outer surface and circuitry within the outer surface for determining a pressure proximate the diverter
Data Source
AI summary
A diverter for obstructing and temporarily sealing a perforation in a well casing in a subterranean formation during hydraulic fracturing. The diverter comprises an outer surface and circuitry within the outer surface for determining a pressure proximate the diverter.