Propellant Well Stimulation via Controlled Pressure Rise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for stimulating subterranean wells, such as oil and gas production wells, face limitations in creating predictable and effective fractures due to unpredictable pressure rise times and energy loss from well fluids, leading to inadequate permeability enhancement and flow area expansion.
Innovation Solution
An internal propellant ignition system with a pre-stressed tube and detonating member, combined with a fluid-repellant propellant coating, is used to achieve a rapid and controlled pressure rise, ensuring consistent fracture creation and extension into the formation, minimizing damage and maximizing radial flow area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If explosive propellants are used to create rapid pressure rise, then fracture creation is improved, but formation damage and rubblization occur causing loss of porosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of pressure generation from explosive combustion to controlled gas expansion. Propellants are ignited to produce hot gas that expands and pressurizes the formation, creating fractures through sustained pressure rather than rapid shock. This parameter change eliminates the harmful shock wave effects while maintaining the beneficial fracture creation, resolving the contradiction between rapid pressure rise and formation damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses consumable propellant charges that are ignited and consumed to generate the pressurizing gas. These disposable propellant units provide the necessary energy for fracture creation and then decompose harmlessly, leaving no permanent damaging structures in the formation. The temporary nature of the propellant energy release allows effective stimulation without lasting harmful effects.
2Extent of automation
If shaped charges are used to ignite propellant, then propellant ignition is achieved, but unpredictable entry hole size results in inconsistent propellant surface area ignition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the detonating member from direct contact with the propellant mass. Instead of using shaped charges that penetrate and ignite propellant through unpredictable holes, the invention uses detonating members that ignite a controlled peripheral surface of the propellant. This extraction of the ignition mechanism from the propellant bulk allows for predictable and consistent ignition surface area, resolving the manufacturing precision problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs pre-formed ignition systems such as detonating cords or peripheral detonating members that are positioned to ignite the propellant in a predetermined sequence and location. This preliminary arrangement of the ignition system ensures that the propellant burns in a controlled manner from a known surface area, eliminating the variability introduced by random shaped charge penetration points.
3Productivity
If propellant is submerged in well fluid, then well stimulation is achieved, but fluid leaching into propellant prevents reaching critical pressure rise time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies protective coatings to the propellant before deployment into the well fluid environment. These preliminary protective measures create a barrier that prevents well fluid from penetrating and leaching into the propellant grains. By pre-protecting the propellant, the system maintains its designed combustion characteristics and achieves the critical pressure rise time necessary for effective stimulation, resolving the time loss problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a protective coating or barrier layer as an intermediary between the propellant and the well fluid. This intermediary layer allows the propellant to function effectively by preventing direct contact and fluid absorption, while still permitting the propellant to generate the necessary pressure for well stimulation. The coating acts as a mediator that protects the propellant's temporal performance characteristics.
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 enables predictable and repeatable fracture creation, extending fractures further into the formation, enhancing well capacity and production capabilities while minimizing the risk of formation damage.
Implementation Method 1
igniting the propellant unit, which generates a gas pressure having a predetermined initial pressure rise
Implementation Method 2
The propellant of Snider is broken into a random number of pieces, resulting in unpredictable pressure rise and propellant flow results
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods to stimulate subterranean production and injection wells, such as oil and gas wells, utilizing rocket propellants. Rapid production of high-pressure gas from controlled combustion of a propellant, during initial ignition and subsequent combustion, together with proper positioning of the energy source in relation to geologic formations, can be used to establish and maintain increased formation porosity and flow conditions with respect to the pay zone.