Crosslinked Polyimide Proppant Density for Secondary Fracture Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Proppants with higher densities tend to settle in lower viscosity fluids, making it difficult to effectively transport and place them in smaller secondary fractures, which can close before the proppant slurry reaches them, limiting the creation of extensive fracture networks.
Innovation Solution
Development of a crosslinked polyimide proppant with a lower density, allowing suspension in lower viscosity fluids like slickwater, enabling deeper placement in secondary fractures and preventing their closure, while maintaining high tensile and compressive strengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If proppants with higher density are used, then they can maintain position in fractures, but they tend to settle in lower viscosity fluids making it difficult to transport them to secondary fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of the proppant material by developing a crosslinked polyimide proppant with density of 1.8-2.2 g/cm³, which is lower than conventional proppants. This parameter change allows the proppant to be suspended and transported effectively in lower viscosity fluids like slickwater while still maintaining adequate position stability in the fractures.
2Ease of operation
If high viscosity fluids including crosslinked viscosifiers are used for proppant transport, then proppant settlement is prevented, but large dominant fractures are formed instead of smaller secondary fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes two key parameters: (1) proppant density is reduced to 1.8-2.2 g/cm³ through crosslinked polyimide composition, enabling suspension in lower viscosity fluids; and (2) fluid viscosity is reduced by using slickwater or linear viscosifier fluids instead of crosslinked viscosifier fluids. These parameter changes allow the proppant slurry to penetrate and fill smaller secondary fractures, creating an extensive fracture network rather than just large dominant fractures.
3Productivity
If pad fluid including lower viscosity linear viscosifiers is used prior to proppant slurry, then secondary fractures are created, but they close before the proppant slurry can reach them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of the proppant to 1.8-2.2 g/cm³, which enables the proppant to be effectively transported in lower viscosity fluids. This parameter change allows the proppant slurry to reach the secondary fractures created by the pad fluid before they close, ensuring the fractures remain open and productive.
4Ease of operation
If crosslinked polyimide proppant is used, then lower density enables suspension in lower viscosity fluids, but maintaining high tensile and compressive strengths is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses crosslinked polyimide as a composite material structure where the crosslinking creates a three-dimensional network that provides mechanical strength while the polyimide base material provides the desired density of 1.8-2.2 g/cm³. This composite approach allows simultaneous achievement of low density for suspension capability and high strength for fracture support.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the crosslinking degree and polyimide composition to achieve the specific density range of 1.8-2.2 g/cm³ while maintaining adequate mechanical strength. By controlling these parameters, the proppant achieves both suspension capability in lower viscosity fluids and the necessary tensile and compressive strengths for effective fracture propping.
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
The crosslinked polyimide proppant achieves enhanced placement and conductivity in fracture networks, with improved vertical distribution and reduced transportation costs, maintaining stability up to 400°C.
Implementation Method 1
a lower density, allowing suspension in lower viscosity fluids like slickwater
Implementation Method 2
allowing suspension in lower viscosity fluids like slickwater
Implementation Method 3
maintaining stability up to 400°C
Data Source
AI summary
Proppants comprise crosslinked polymers for treatment of subterranean formations. The proppants may have a particle size less than or equal to 100 microns. A method of treating a subterranean formation includes placing a proppant including a crosslinked polymer in the subterranean formation. The placing may include placing the proppant in secondary fractures. Placing the proppant may avoid the closure of the secondary fractures.