Microproppant Suspension in Subterranean Fracturing Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
In low permeability subterranean formations like shale, existing fracturing methods struggle to effectively create and maintain microfractures for enhanced fluid recovery, as microproppant particles often agglomerate and fail to penetrate deeply into microfractures, reducing the conductivity and efficiency of fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of treatment fluids containing microproppant particles with a mean diameter of 100 microns or less, combined with surfactants that act as anti-agglomerants, to enhance the suspension and dispersion of microproppant particles, facilitating their deeper penetration into microfractures and maintaining fracture conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If microproppant particles are introduced into treatment fluids for fracturing stimulation, then microfractures can be created and propped open to improve fluid flow, but the microproppant particles tend to agglomerate and fail to penetrate deeply into microfractures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces surfactants as intermediary substances that mediate between the microproppant particles and the treatment fluid. These surfactants reduce surface tension and prevent particle agglomeration, enabling individual particles to remain suspended and penetrate deeply into microfractures while maintaining stable dispersion throughout the treatment process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the treatment system by adjusting fluid viscosity, surfactant concentration, and particle size distribution. These parameter changes optimize the balance between particle suspension stability and penetration capability, resolving the contradiction between maintaining dispersion and achieving deep fracture penetration
2Reliability
If microproppant particles are used to prop open microfractures, then fracture conductivity is improved, but particle agglomeration reduces the effectiveness and conductivity maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
Surfactants serve as harmful factor eliminators by intervening between microproppant particles to prevent agglomeration. This intermediary action removes the harmful effect of particle clumping, ensuring particles remain individualized and effective for maintaining fracture conductivity over time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful agglomeration tendency into a beneficial dispersed state by utilizing surfactant chemistry. The same interparticle forces that would cause agglomeration are harnessed and controlled through surfactant adsorption, transforming the problem into a solution that enhances particle distribution and fracture conductivity
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
The approach effectively creates and maintains microfractures, improving fluid recovery by ensuring microproppant particles remain suspended and penetrate deeper into fractures, thereby enhancing the conductivity and longevity of microfractures in tight formations.
Implementation Method 1
The introduction of treatment fluids containing microproppant particles with a mean diameter of 100 microns or less, combined with surfactants that act as anti-agglomerants, to enhance the suspension and dispersion of microproppant particles
Implementation Method 2
introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to initiate the formation of at least one microfracture within the subterranean formation
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and compositions for creating microfractures within subterranean formations and delivering microproppant particles into microfractures within subterranean formations are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include: providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, a surfactant, and a plurality of microproppant particles having a mean particle diameter of about 100 microns or less; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to initiate the formation of at least one microfracture within the subterranean formation; and allowing at least a portion of the microproppant particles to enter the at least one microfracture within the subterranean formation.