Paramagnetic Polymeric Proppants for Hydraulic Fracture Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging technologies for assessing hydraulic fractures in reservoirs are either expensive and time-consuming or provide limited information, failing to effectively measure fracture length and connectivity, which are crucial for optimizing fracturing processes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating polymeric proppant materials that become paramagnetic when exposed to an alternating current (AC) magnetic field, allowing for the detection and imaging of fractures using multi-frequency susceptibility instruments and other magnetic logging tools, enabling the assessment of fracture width, depth, and connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional imaging technologies are used to assess hydraulic fractures, then fracture information can be obtained, but the process is expensive and time-consuming with limited information quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic proppants as an intermediary substance injected into the fracture during hydraulic fracturing. These proppants contain magnetic particles that serve as tracers, allowing the fracture geometry and proppant distribution to be visualized through magnetic field measurements without requiring direct imaging of the fracture itself. This intermediary approach enables indirect but effective fracture assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical or electromagnetic imaging systems with a magnetic field-based detection method. Instead of using complex imaging equipment to directly visualize fractures, the method uses magnetic field measurements to detect the position and distribution of magnetic proppants, thereby inferring fracture characteristics. This substitution simplifies the detection system while improving information quality.
2Measurement precision
If detailed fracture imaging is performed using existing methods, then fracture patterns can be assessed, but the cost and time requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Magnetic proppants serve as tracers that simplify the measurement process. By injecting these magnetically-active particles into the fracture, the complex task of directly imaging fracture geometry is replaced with simpler magnetic field measurements that detect proppant distribution, providing accurate fracture characterization with less complex equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the proppant material by incorporating magnetic particles into it. This parameter change allows the proppant to be detected through magnetic field measurements, transforming an otherwise invisible fracture filling material into a detectable tracer that provides precise fracture information through simplified measurement techniques.
3Loss of information
If magnetic proppants are used to image fractures, then detailed fracture mapping is achieved, but the proppant material becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite proppant material consisting of conventional proppant particles (such as sand or ceramic beads) combined with magnetic particles. This composite structure maintains the mechanical propping function of the original material while adding magnetic detection capability. The magnetic particles are typically embedded within or coated on the proppant surface, creating a multifunctional material that provides both structural support and traceability.
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 provides a cost-effective and efficient means to generate detailed 2D, 3D, or 4D images of fractures, enhancing the understanding of fracture patterns and optimizing fracturing processes by varying the AC field's power and frequency to map the growing fractures.
Implementation Method 1
Incorporating polymeric proppant materials that become paramagnetic when exposed to an alternating current (AC) magnetic field
Implementation Method 2
when exposed to an alternating current (AC) magnetic field, allowing for the detection and imaging of fractures
Implementation Method 3
detection and imaging of fractures using multi-frequency susceptibility instruments and other magnetic logging tools
Data Source
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AI summary
Novel proppants, proppant mixes and proppant slurries comprising a diamagnetic polymeric proppant that exhibits induced paramagnetism in an AC field is used to prop hydraulic fractures, and the paramagnetism used to assess fracture width, depth, connectivity, branching and the like. Fracturing methods are also provided, together with fracture assessment and imaging methods.