Aqueous Pressure Protection Composition for Wellbore Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
During hydraulic fracturing operations in shale and tight rock reservoirs, new wells drilled adjacent to existing wells often produce sub-optimal results due to well-to-well interference, leading to skewed fracture networks and premature decline in production in existing wells.
Innovation Solution
The method involves injecting an aqueous pressure protection composition into existing wells before or during fracturing of new wells, which helps maintain wellbore pressure and prevent interference by using components such as surfactants, acids, alkali agents, and co-solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water is pumped into existing wells to increase wellbore pressure during infill drilling, then fracture network skew is reduced and fluid/debris introduction into existing wells is limited, but injection equipment and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by injecting aqueous pressure protection compositions into existing wells before fracturing operations on new adjacent wells begin. This pre-loading establishes protective pressure and chemical conditions in advance, preventing fracture skew and debris intrusion during subsequent fracturing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses aqueous pressure protection compositions as an intermediary substance between the new well fracturing operation and the existing well. These compositions include surfactants, acids, and other additives that mediate the interaction by reducing surface tension, preventing emulsion formation, and maintaining pressure differentials that block harmful fluid and debris migration.
2Productivity
If aqueous pressure protection compositions are injected into existing wells prior to new well fracturing, then hydrocarbon recovery from existing wells is improved and fracture propagation in new wells is enhanced, but the complexity of composition formulation and injection operations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the injection fluid. The aqueous compositions include surfactants at specific concentrations (0.1-10% by weight), acids (0.01-5% by weight), and other additives in controlled amounts. These parameter adjustments optimize the fluid's ability to reduce surface tension, prevent emulsion formation, and maintain pressure differentials that improve hydrocarbon recovery and fracture propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple chemical components in the aqueous pressure protection composition. The formulation includes surfactants, acids, alkali agents, co-solvents, and other additives that work synergistically. This composite approach creates a multifunctional injection fluid that simultaneously provides pressure maintenance, surface tension reduction, and protection against emulsion formation and equipment damage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If existing wells are pre-loaded with aqueous pressure protection compositions, then the entry of fluids and debris into existing wells is reduced, but injection operations and monitoring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing monitoring of injection parameters (pressure, flow rate, composition) during the pre-loading operation. This feedback mechanism allows operators to adjust injection conditions in real-time to maintain optimal pressure differentials and composition delivery, ensuring effective protection while managing operational complexity through controlled, monitored processes.
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 enhances hydrocarbon recovery from existing wells, improves fracture propagation in new wells, and reduces the entry of fluids and debris into existing wells, thereby maintaining production levels and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
water can be pumped into the existing wells to increase wellbore pressure
Implementation Method 2
a surfactant package
Implementation Method 3
an acid (e.g., to improve permeability in proximity to the wellbore and/or to remove any mineral precipitates in proximity to the wellbore)
Implementation Method 4
a viscosity-modifying polymer
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are compositions and methods for the pressure protection of existing wells during infill drilling operations.