Pillar Fracturing Proppant Pillars Hydraulic Fracture Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydraulic fracturing methods face challenges in maintaining open fractures and achieving high conductivity in subterranean formations, leading to reduced hydrocarbon production efficiency due to formation closure stresses and proppant settlement.

Innovation Solution

The method involves intermittently adjusting characteristics of the fracturing fluid, such as viscosity and foaming agent concentration, to form pillars of proppant within fractures, using advanced proppants like coated sands and ceramics, and employing VES-based fracturing fluids with nanoparticles to enhance proppant suspension and transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional hydraulic fracturing methods are used to generate fractures in subterranean formations, then fractures are created to stimulate production, but formation closure stresses cause proppant settlement and reduce fracture conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon productionVSAvoidfracture conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The proppant is segmented into pillars rather than distributed uniformly. The method creates discrete proppant pillars at specific locations within the fracture, dividing the proppant mass into separate functional units that maintain fracture conductivity at critical points while resisting closure stresses more effectively

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the fracture are given different properties through selective proppant placement. Pillars are positioned at locations experiencing high closure stresses or requiring enhanced conductivity, while other regions maintain natural fracture characteristics. This localized enhancement optimizes overall fracture performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If proppant is placed in fractures to maintain them open during hydrocarbon production, then fracture conductivity is improved, but proppant settlement occurs due to formation closure stresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture conductivityVSAvoidproppant distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The fracturing fluid properties are adjusted periodically or intermittently during the injection process. This periodic adjustment creates conditions that deposit proppant in pillar formations at specific intervals along the fracture, preventing uniform settlement and maintaining stable proppant distribution against closure stresses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

Physical or chemical parameters of the fracturing fluid are changed to control proppant deposition. By adjusting fluid viscosity, flow rate, or other parameters intermittently, the method enables precise control over where proppant pillars form, ensuring stable placement that resists formation closure stresses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If fracturing fluid is used to convey proppant into fractures, then proppant transport is achieved, but maintaining open fractures and achieving high conductivity remains challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproppant transportVSAvoidfracture conductivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The method incorporates monitoring and adjustment based on downhole conditions. Fluid properties and injection parameters are modified in response to measured fracture behavior, ensuring optimal proppant placement and conductivity maintenance throughout the fracturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12252649B2Pillar fracturing

Publication Date: 2025.03.18 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A system and method for hydraulic fracturing a subterranean formation with fracturing fluid to generate fractures, and intermittently adjusting a characteristic of the fracturing fluid conveying proppant to form pillars of proppant in the fractures.