Natural Gas Fracturing Fluid Compressor System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fracturing fluids for subterranean formations face challenges such as water scarcity, environmental incompatibility, and inefficiencies in waste management, leading to delayed hydrocarbon production and increased costs.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing a fracturing fluid comprising compressed natural gas, which is mixed with a fracturing fluid source to create a pressurized mixture for fracturing subterranean formations, reducing water usage and enhancing environmental and economic sustainability by using locally sourced natural gas and incorporating heat recovery systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If water-based fracturing fluid is used, then effective fracturing can be achieved, but water scarcity and environmental incompatibility occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracturing effectivenessVSAvoidwater consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of fracturing fluid composition by replacing water-based fluids with hydrocarbon-based fluids (natural gas, crude oil, or condensate). This substitution eliminates water consumption while maintaining fracturing effectiveness through the use of compatible proppants and fluid viscosities that achieve the necessary fracture propagation and proppant placement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs disposable proppants such as sand or ceramic particles that are placed in the fracture to maintain conductivity. These proppants remain in the formation permanently, eliminating the need for water-based carry fluids and reducing overall fluid consumption. The system uses readily available hydrocarbon resources locally at the wellsite.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If conventional fracturing operations are conducted, then formation stimulation is achieved, but time delays occur due to fluid preparation and environmental concerns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformation stimulation effectivenessVSAvoidoperational time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes locally available hydrocarbon resources (natural gas, crude oil, or condensate) already present at or near the wellsite to prepare the fracturing fluid. This eliminates the need to transport large volumes of water and chemical additives to the site, significantly reducing preparation time and enabling faster deployment of fracturing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The fracturing fluid components (hydrocarbon base and proppants) are prepared and staged in advance at the wellsite. The system is designed so that when fracturing is needed, the fluid can be immediately pumped into the formation without extended preparation or environmental compliance delays, enabling rapid response and faster return to production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If waste and byproducts are managed conventionally, then environmental compliance is maintained, but costs increase and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental compatibilityVSAvoidoperational efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts what would traditionally be waste hydrocarbons (natural gas, crude oil, or condensate) into a useful fracturing fluid resource. By using these locally available hydrocarbons as the base fluid, the system eliminates water consumption and reduces the need for chemical additives, thereby improving environmental compatibility while lowering operational costs and increasing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 reduces water consumption, improves environmental compatibility, and enhances operational efficiency, allowing for faster hydrocarbon production while minimizing waste and byproduct management issues.

Implementation Method 1

The compressor has an input in fluid communication with the natural gas source, and an output in fluid communication with the wellbore, and is operable to compress natural gas received at the input for delivery at the output

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

Fracturing a subterranean formation to stimulate production or enhance injectability entails pumping high-pressure fluids into the formation via one or more wells extending into and in fluid communication with the formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFracture Mechanics: Fracture Mechanics

Data Source

PatentUS9790775B2Stimulation with natural gas

Publication Date: 2017.10.17 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

Apparatus, systems, and methods in which a fracturing fluid source is in fluid communication with a wellbore extending into a subterranean formation. A compressor has an input in fluid communication with a natural gas source, and has an output in fluid communication with the wellbore. The compressor is operable to compress natural gas received at the input for delivery at the output. A liquefied gas source is also in fluid communication with the wellbore.