Proppant Additives for Fracture Mapping via Electromagnetic Contrast
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for mapping fractures in geological formations during hydraulic fracturing are inadequate, as they fail to provide reliable information on fracture location, orientation, size, and drainage area, and are costly due to the need for high volumes of contrast agents.
Innovation Solution
The use of proppant additives with enhanced dielectric or conductive properties, such as functionalized silica and coke breeze, which can be imaged using electromagnetic techniques to map fractures after pressure is removed, allowing for precise measurement of complex conductivity and dielectric properties, even at low volume concentrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional proppants (sand or ceramic particles) are used in hydraulic fracturing, then the fractures can be kept open, but the cost is high due to the need for massive amounts of proppant mixture (approximately 300,000 pounds per job)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an electromagnetic imaging system as an intermediary to detect and map fractures directly, eliminating the need for massive proppant volumes. The electromagnetic waves serve as a mediator to obtain fracture information without requiring large quantities of contrast agents or proppants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical proppant injection system with an electromagnetic detection system. Instead of using mechanical means (pumping massive proppant mixtures) to map and monitor fractures, the invention uses electromagnetic waves to detect fracture locations, orientations, and dimensions directly.
2Loss of information
If Microseismic technique is used to detect fractures, then some fracture locations can be identified, but the technique is unreliable and provides no information on fracture sizes and shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from acoustic emissions (Microseismic) to electromagnetic properties (complex conductivity and dielectric properties). This parameter change enables reliable detection of fracture locations while simultaneously providing information on fracture sizes, shapes, and spatial configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses proppant additives with enhanced dielectric or conductive properties as composite materials that can be imaged using electromagnetic techniques. These composite proppants provide both the mechanical function of keeping fractures open and the electromagnetic contrast needed for reliable imaging.
3Loss of information
If contrast agents are used to image fractures, then fracture mapping is possible, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using proppant additives with enhanced electromagnetic properties only in specific locations where fracture mapping is needed. These localized electromagnetic contrast agents provide sufficient imaging capability without requiring massive volumes throughout the entire formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the proppant additives multi-functional by combining their mechanical function (keeping fractures open) with their electromagnetic function (providing contrast for imaging). This universality eliminates the need for separate contrast agents, reducing overall material requirements and costs.
4Reliability
If high volumes of proppant mixture are injected to ensure adequate proppant placement, then fracture propping is effective, but the operation cost increases to millions of gallons of fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces electromagnetic imaging as an intermediary monitoring system that provides real-time feedback on proppant placement effectiveness. This allows for optimized proppant injection volumes by detecting actual fracture propping status, eliminating the need for excessive proppant mixture volumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where electromagnetic imaging data on fracture propping effectiveness is used to adjust and optimize subsequent proppant injection rates and volumes. This closed-loop control ensures adequate proppant placement with minimized fluid and proppant volumes.
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 accurate imaging and mapping of fractures, improving the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing by providing detailed geometrical and spatial features of open fractures, reducing costs by using materials compatible with existing infrastructure and minimizing the need for high volumes of contrast agents.
Implementation Method 1
proppant additives with enhanced dielectric or conductive properties, such as functionalized silica and coke breeze, which can be imaged using electromagnetic techniques to map fractures
Implementation Method 2
measuring complex conductivity parameters (IP, dielectric, and/or conductivity) of the proppant additives
Data Source
AI summary
Hydraulic fracturing of a geological formation is performed by injection of a proppant mixture into the geological formation to form fractures in the geological formation. The proppant mixture includes at least a liquid, proppant, and proppant additive particles. The hydraulic fracturing results in a presence of the proppant additive particles within the formed fractures, wherein the proppant additive particles are configured with a first complex conductivity that is measurably different than a second complex conductivity exhibited by materials comprising the geological formation. The formed fractures can then be imaged and mapped in the geological formation with electromagnetic energy at one or more frequencies in a manner so that the proppant additive particles function as a contrast agent due to the first complex conductivity of the proppant additive particles being measurably different from the second complex conductivity. The complex conductivity includes a real conductivity and an imaginary conductivity.