Polymer Blend Fracturing Fluid Proppant Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Slickwater fracturing fluids face challenges with low proppant-carrying capacity, excessive energy loss due to friction, and environmental concerns, requiring more effective friction reduction while maintaining viscosity and safety.
Innovation Solution
A dry blend composition of synthetic and naturally derived polymers, specifically guar and polyacrylamide, is used to enhance proppant carrying capacity, friction reduction, and crosslinking, available in both dry and liquid forms, which can be easily stored and transported, and is environmentally friendly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high pump rates are employed to suspend proppant for transport, then proppant settling is mitigated, but pumping pressures increase and energy loss from friction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rheological parameters of the fracturing fluid by adding polymers (guar and polyacrylamide) to increase viscosity and yield point, allowing proppant suspension at lower pump rates. This modifies the fluid's flow characteristics to maintain proppant suspension without requiring high pumping velocities that cause excessive frictional energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite friction reducer containing both natural polymer (guar) and synthetic polymer (polyacrylamide) in specific ratios. This composite material provides synergistic effects where the combination delivers superior viscosity enhancement and proppant suspension capabilities compared to single polymers, while reducing the required polymer concentration and associated costs.
2Reliability
If high concentrations of polymer are used to increase viscosity for proppant suspension, then proppant-carrying capacity improves, but frictional energy losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the polymer concentration parameter to achieve the minimum required viscosity for proppant suspension. By using a composite polymer system with higher specific viscosity, the required polymer concentration is reduced, thereby decreasing frictional energy losses while maintaining adequate proppant-carrying capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite friction reducer with optimized ratio of natural to synthetic polymers provides higher viscosity per unit concentration compared to single polymers. This allows achieving the required proppant suspension at lower overall polymer concentrations, reducing frictional energy losses in the wellbore and surface equipment.
3Loss of energy
If conventional friction reducers are used, then energy loss is reduced, but proppant-carrying capacity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a friction reducer that simultaneously performs multiple functions: (1) reduces frictional energy loss through polymer action, (2) provides proppant suspension and transport capability through viscosity enhancement, and (3) offers crosslinking potential with divalent cations. This multi-functional polymer system eliminates the need for separate friction reducers and viscosifiers.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite polymer system combines the friction reduction properties of polyacrylamide with the viscosity enhancement and suspension capabilities of guar gum. This composite material achieves both friction reduction and adequate proppant-carrying capacity in a single additive system, unlike conventional single-function friction reducers.
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 composition achieves higher proppant loading, improved viscosity, and reduced energy loss, with enhanced stability and breakability, allowing for more efficient hydraulic fracturing with reduced operational complexity and environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
The fracturing fluid may include a viscosifier, such as a polymer, to increase the viscosity of the fracturing fluid
Implementation Method 2
slickwater fluids are basically fresh water or brine having sufficient friction reducing agent to minimize the tubular friction pressures
Implementation Method 3
Proppant settling from low viscosity fracturing fluids within the horizontal section of the wellbore, the manifold lines, and the pump is also a concern
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods for recovery of hydrocarbons from subterranean formations. The compositions may be dry blends of synthetic and naturally derived polymers. The blend compositions may also be produced as high activity solvent-based fluidized polymer suspensions. Either in dry or liquid forms, the blend compositions provide higher proppant carrying capacity in comparison to conventional solutions, as well as improved breakability and crosslinking capacity.