Multi-Oriented Hydraulic Fracturing Model for Stress-Aligned Fractures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mathematical models for fracturing subterranean formations are limited by assuming elastic properties and neglecting stress alterations and tectonic motions, leading to fractures being induced in near-identical orientations, which may not enhance hydrocarbon flow or reservoir production effectively.
Innovation Solution
The multi-oriented hydraulic fracturing (MOHF) model incorporates pseudo-plastic properties and tiny tectonic motions to calculate local stress directions, allowing for fractures to be created in multiple orientations, thereby enhancing fracturing operations by simulating stress changes and dynamic interactions between rock layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional mathematical models based on elastic characteristics are used to design additional fractures, then the number of locations for drainage into the wellbore increases, but the fractures are induced with near-identical angular orientation and do not introduce new directions for hydrocarbon flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the mathematical model from elastic characteristics to pseudo-plastic characteristics, incorporating stress alterations and tectonic motions. This parameter change enables the model to predict and create fractures with diverse orientations rather than near-identical orientations, thereby introducing new directions for hydrocarbon flow while maintaining multiple fracture locations.
2Device complexity
If conventional models neglect stress alterations around existing fractures, then the modeling process is simpler, but the models fail to utilize stress alterations when inducing new fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary calculation of stress alterations around existing fractures before inducing new fractures. By pre-computing the stress field modifications caused by previous fractures and incorporating them into the modeling process, the system achieves accurate fracture induction while maintaining a systematic and manageable workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the stress alterations from existing fractures are continuously monitored and fed back into the model to influence the orientation and placement of new fractures. This feedback loop ensures that each new fracture is induced considering the cumulative stress state, improving reliability without excessive complexity.
3Ease of operation
If fractures are induced with near-identical angular orientation, then the modeling and implementation is straightforward, but new directions for hydrocarbon flow are not introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamics into the fracturing operation by making fracture orientation a variable that adapts to local stress conditions rather than being fixed. The model dynamically calculates optimal fracture orientations based on pseudo-plastic properties, stress alterations, and tectonic motions, enabling diverse fracture directions that enhance hydrocarbon flow while maintaining operational feasibility through systematic modeling.
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 increases the effectiveness of fracturing operations by creating fractures that penetrate deeper into the formation, enhancing hydrocarbon flow and reservoir production, and improving the stimulated reservoir volume and connected stimulated reservoir volume.
Implementation Method 1
mathematical modeling is used to design the second fractures
Implementation Method 2
hydraulic fracturing operations
Implementation Method 3
calculate local stress directions
Implementation Method 4
conventional mathematical modeling is only based on the elastic characteristics of the formation
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-oriented hydraulic fracturing (MOHF) model may incorporate the pseudo-plastic properties of the formation and tiny tectonic motions from fracturing to enhance MOHF operations. For example, a method may include modeling a simulated wellbore penetrating a simulated subterranean formation with a MOHF model having (1) static inputs and (2) dynamic inputs that comprise pseudo-plastic properties of rocks that comprise the subterranean formation; simulating a first fracture in the subterranean formation with first fracture operational parameters with the MOHF model; calculating formation stresses with the MOHF model after the first fracture; simulating a second fracture in the subterranean formation with of second fracture operational parameters with the MOHF model; and calculating a simulated fracture network characteristic for each of the plurality of first and second fracture operational parameters with the MOHF model, thereby producing several simulated fracture network characteristics that may be used for selecting the preferred operational parameters.