Micro-aggregates for Friction Reduction in Hydraulic Fracturing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional hydraulic fracturing in subterranean formations faces challenges with high friction pressures due to turbulent flow and residue formation from friction reducing agents, which can damage the formation and reduce conductivity.

Innovation Solution

The use of on-the-fly formed micro-aggregates, created by flocculating microparticulates with a flocculation polymer, which act as both propping agents and friction reducers, minimizing residue and enhancing fracture network complexity without pre-forming the aggregates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stress or pressure

If friction reducing agents are added to treatment fluid to reduce friction pressure, then friction pressure is reduced, but residue formation damages the formation and reduces conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction pressureVSAvoidformation damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful friction-reducing agent from the treatment fluid system by using microparticulates that naturally reduce friction without leaving damaging residue. The microparticulates are removed from the formation after treatment, taking the friction reduction function with them while avoiding the residue problem of conventional friction reducing agents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The microparticulates function as temporary, disposable friction reducers that are introduced into the treatment fluid, perform their friction reduction duty during injection, and are then left in the formation or removed without causing long-term damage. They serve their purpose and are discarded, unlike conventional friction reducing agents that leave persistent residue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If proppant particulates are suspended in treatment fluid and deposited into fractures, then fractures are propped open to maintain conductivity, but friction pressure increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture conductivityVSAvoidfriction pressure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The proppant function is segmented into two size categories: microparticulates (0.1-150 micrometers) that reduce friction and can penetrate deep into the formation, and larger proppant particulates that provide structural support in the fractures. This segmentation allows each size to perform its specific function optimally without the drawbacks of using only one size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different particle sizes are placed in different locations: microparticulates are distributed throughout the treatment fluid to reduce friction during injection and penetrate into the formation matrix, while larger proppant particulates are deposited in the fractures to provide structural support. Each location receives the appropriate particle size for its specific function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Stress or pressure

If treatment fluid is pumped at high pressures and flow rates to achieve pressures above fracture gradient, then fractures are created or enhanced, but turbulent flow increases friction pressure and energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture gradient pressureVSAvoidpumping energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the treatment fluid by adding microparticulates that modify the fluid's rheological properties. These microparticulates reduce the fluid's friction and improve its flow characteristics, allowing the same fracture gradient pressure to be achieved with lower pumping energy and reduced turbulent flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively reduces friction pressures, maintains formation integrity, and enhances hydrocarbon production by creating a complex fracture network with increased conductivity and reduced formation damage.

Implementation Method 1

microparticulates are flocculated with a flocculation polymer to form micro-aggregates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFlocculation: Flocculation

Data Source

PatentUS10988677B2Micro-aggregates and microparticulates for use in subterranean formation operations

Publication Date: 2021.04.27 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Methods and systems employing a flocculation polymer and microparticulates. The flocculation polymer flocculates the microparticulates to form micro-aggregates for use in forming complex fracture networks. Additionally, the flocculation causes the flocculation polymer to be removed from a treatment fluid due to its interaction with the microparticulates, thereby effectively cleaning the flocculation polymer from a subterranean formation. Individual microparticulates are synergistically used alone or in the presence of a de-aggregating agent to enhance complex fracture networks.