Polyurethane Diverter for Uniform Well Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In well stimulation treatments, such as hydraulic fracturing, achieving uniform distribution of fracturing fluids or acids in heterogeneous underground formations is challenging due to high permeability zones, leading to inefficient hydrocarbon extraction and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of a diverter material composed of a polyurethane and a soft polymer, which is reversibly compressible and can block high permeability zones, ensuring even distribution of fluids to low permeability zones, thereby enhancing fracture formation and hydrocarbon recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fracturing fluid is injected into heterogeneous underground formation, then high permeability zones are stimulated first, but fluid distribution becomes non-uniform and low permeability zones are under-stimulated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by placing packers in the wellbore before fracturing fluid injection to pre-establish flow diversion pathways. The packers are positioned to block high permeability zones in advance, forcing the fracturing fluid to redirect toward low permeability zones that would otherwise be under-stimulated, thereby achieving more uniform fluid distribution across the formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses packers as an intermediary device between the fracturing fluid and the formation. These packers act as flow mediators that redirect the fracturing fluid from high permeability zones to low permeability zones, enabling indirect stimulation of difficult-to-reach areas and improving overall fluid distribution uniformity.
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple equipment and procedures are used to achieve uniform stimulation, then fluid distribution improves, but treatment complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing packers that perform multiple functions: they block high permeability zones, redirect fluid flow, and can be deployed using standard wellbore equipment. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for specialized complex equipment while achieving uniform fluid distribution through a single versatile tool.
3Manufacturing precision
If diverting material is used to block high permeability zones, then fluid redirects to low permeability zones, but formation damage may occur during material removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the disposable principle by using packers that are intentionally designed to be temporary and easily removable. These packers serve their diversion function only during the fracturing operation, then can be quickly extracted from the wellbore without causing formation damage, allowing the formation to return to its natural state after treatment.
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 approach results in more homogeneous stimulation, increased hydrocarbon production, reduced costs, and minimal damage to the formation by allowing easy removal of the diverter material after the process.
Implementation Method 1
The diverter materials can be reversibly compressible. Thus, the size and shape of the diverter materials is variable. In some embodiments, the diverter materials can undergo compression to plug and block the high permeability zone.
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions containing a diverting material, and related methods and systems for diverting a fluid from a high permeability zone in an underground formation to a low permeability zone in the underground formation. The diverter material contains a polyurethane and a second polymer. The compositions, methods and systems may be used to achieve more homogeneous stimulation during a well stimulation treatment.