Non-Halogenated Tracers for Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid Source Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In multi-stage hydraulic fracturing operations, it is difficult to determine which fracturing stage a particular fluid is produced from due to the intermingling of fluids from different zones, and the use of halogenated tracers is expensive and poses challenges in detection and environmental safety.
Innovation Solution
Introducing non-halogenated tracers such as long-chain alcohols, ketones, and organic acids into subterranean locations, which are absorbed onto substrates and desorb slowly, allowing for their detection through derivatization and analysis using techniques like gas chromatography, enabling identification of fluid sources without the need for halogenated compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If halogenated tracers are used to identify fluid sources in multi-stage fracturing, then detection precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and environmental harm worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, persistent halogenated tracers with inexpensive, biodegradable long-chain alcohols, ketones, or organic acids. These alternative tracers achieve the same identification function through derivatization and GC detection while being environmentally benign and cost-effective, directly resolving the contradiction between detection precision and environmental harm
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the tracer molecules by using compounds with 10-30 carbon atoms that can be derivatized to enhance detectability. This parameter change allows non-halogenated compounds to achieve detection precision comparable to halogenated tracers while eliminating environmental harm
2Measurement precision
If halogenated tracers are used to determine fluid production zones, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes expensive halogenated tracer compounds with inexpensive long-chain alcohols, ketones, or organic acids containing 10-30 carbon atoms. These cheaper alternatives maintain measurement precision through derivatization chemistry and GC detection, directly resolving the cost-precision contradiction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces derivatization reagents as intermediaries that convert the inexpensive non-halogenated tracers into detectable forms. This intermediary step enables cheap tracers to achieve the same measurement precision as expensive halogenated compounds, resolving the manufacturing cost issue
3Loss of information
If tracers are introduced into subterranean locations to track fluid production, then information about fluid sources is obtained, but tracer retention time decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent ensures continuous information retrieval by using long-chain compounds (10-30 carbons) that adsorb strongly to formation rocks and proppants, providing sustained tracer presence in the formation. This strong adsorption maintains tracer information availability throughout the production monitoring period, resolving the contradiction between information retention and residence time
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 method allows for cost-effective and accurate determination of fluid sources, reducing production costs and environmental impact by using inexpensive, easily detectable tracers that adhere to substrates for extended periods, facilitating better hydrocarbon recovery and production optimization.
Implementation Method 1
Introducing non-halogenated tracers such as long-chain alcohols, ketones, and organic acids into subterranean locations, which are absorbed onto substrates and desorb slowly
Implementation Method 2
recovering a fluid from the subterranean location where the fluid comprises the at least one non-halogenated tracer that has desorbed from the substrate
Data Source
AI summary
Non-halogenated molecules having from 10 to 30 carbon atoms selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, aromatic, saturated, unsaturated (and combinations thereof) alcohols, ketones, organic acids, organic acid salts, sulfonated derivatives of these compounds, and combinations thereof are used as tracers to measure oil and/or water fluid returns, such as from a hydraulic fracturing job. The non-halogenated molecules may be absorbed onto and/or adsorbed onto substrates and introduced into a subterranean location, desorbed and recovered from the subterranean location with a fluid, reacted with a reagent (e.g. pentafluoro benzyl chloride, and the like) to give a derivatized tracer. The presence of the derivatized tracer is then detected in at least a portion of the recovered fluid. A different non-halogenated tracer may be used for each hydraulic fracturing stage, thus, it can be determined from which fracturing stage water is produced and from which fracturing stage oil is produced, for example.