Degradable Micro-Fibers Stabilize Micro-Proppant Packs in Fractures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Micro-proppants used in hydraulic fracturing operations tend to fall and cause fractures to close, reducing conductive flow paths and hydrocarbon recovery, as they are not effectively retained in horizontal fractures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating degradable micro-fibers and a carrier fluid with micro-proppants of specific sizes into the fracturing fluid to maintain fracture openness and enhance hydrocarbon recovery by creating a stable proppant pack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If micro-proppants are used to prop open micro-fractures, then formation surface area exposed to wellbore is increased, but micro-proppants fall to one side causing fractures to close
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines micro-proppants with degradable micro-fibers to create a composite proppant pack. The micro-fibers act as a matrix that holds the micro-proppants in place, preventing them from falling while maintaining the conductive pathways. This composite structure allows the system to benefit from both the surface area exposure provided by micro-proppants and the structural stability provided by the fiber network.
Solution Approach 2:
The degradable micro-fibers serve as an intermediary material between the micro-proppants and the fracture walls. These fibers create a three-dimensional network that intercepts and holds micro-proppants, preventing gravitational settling while allowing fluid flow. The fibers temporarily support the proppant pack until they degrade, at which point the proppants remain distributed to maintain conductivity.
2Productivity
If micro-proppants are used to access natural and micro-fractures, then additional hydrocarbon recovery is achieved, but proppant pack stability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By creating a composite of micro-proppants embedded in a degradable micro-fiber matrix, the system achieves both high productivity and stability. The micro-proppants provide the conductive pathways needed for hydrocarbon flow, while the fiber matrix provides the structural stability to maintain the pack configuration against gravitational and pressure forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in the physical parameters of the degradable micro-fibers over time. The fibers initially provide high structural support to stabilize the proppant pack, then gradually degrade to change the permeability and flow characteristics of the pack. This time-dependent parameter change allows the system to provide stability when needed and transition to optimized flow conditions later.
Data Source
AI summary
A variety of systems, methods and compositions are disclosed, including, a method comprising: providing a fracturing fluid comprising: a carrier fluid; a micro-proppant; and a degradable micro-fiber; pumping the fracturing fluid into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation; and creating or extending at least one fracture in the subterranean formation. A fracturing fluid comprising: a carrier fluid; a micro-proppant; and a degradable micro-fiber. A method comprising: isolating a perforated zone in a wellbore; pumping into the perforated zone a pad fluid above a fracture gradient of a formation penetrated by the wellbore to create a plurality of fractures within the formation; pumping into the perforated zone a fracturing fluid above the fracture gradient; pumping into the perforated zone a diverting fluid below the fracture gradient; and repeating the step of pumping into the perforated zone the fracturing fluid after the step of pumping into the perforated zone the diverting fluid.