Micron-Nano Proppant Clusters for Deep Fracture Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydraulic fracturing methods face challenges in effectively maintaining the permeability of fractures in tight subterranean formations, as conventional proppants often fail to prevent fracture closure and efficiently propagate deep into the formation due to size limitations and screening issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of micron- and nano-sized solid materials, such as particulates and fibers, combined with surface modifying agents to form clusters that can be transported in low viscosity fluids and anchor within fractures, enhancing permeability and preventing displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional proppants are used in hydraulic fracturing, then fracture permeability is maintained to some extent, but the proppants fail to propagate deep into tight formations and screening issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The proppant is segmented into clusters of fine particles (1-100 microns) bound together by biodegradable polymers, creating a hierarchical structure that combines the penetration capability of fine particles with the permeability-maintaining function of larger proppants. This segmentation allows deep placement without screening while preventing fracture closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the size parameter of proppant from conventional large particles (20-200 mesh) to clusters of fine particles (1-100 microns) bound together. This parameter change enables the proppant to penetrate deep into tight formations without causing screening effects, while the clustered structure maintains fracture permeability.
2Reliability
If large proppant particles are used, then fracture permeability is maintained, but they cannot propagate deep into tight subterranean formations
Solution Approach 1:
The proppant is segmented into clusters of fine particles (1-100 microns) bound together by biodegradable polymers, creating a hierarchical structure that combines the penetration capability of fine particles with the permeability-maintaining function of larger proppants. This segmentation allows deep placement without screening while preventing fracture closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials consisting of fine proppant particles (1-100 microns) bound together by biodegradable polymers. This composite structure combines the deep penetration capability of fine particles with the structural integrity needed to maintain fracture permeability, achieving both goals simultaneously.
3Length of moving object
If fine particulates are used, then deep placement is achieved, but they are difficult to transport in low viscosity fluids
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges fine proppant particles (1-100 microns) with biodegradable polymers to form clusters. This combination maintains the deep placement capability of fine particles while the polymer binding creates larger effective size that improves transportability in fracturing fluids, resolving the contradiction between depth placement and ease of operation.
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 effectively propposes open fractures, enhances production potential in tight formations like shales and gas sands, and allows for deeper placement without screening, thereby improving fluid flow and stability.
Implementation Method 1
comprising a plurality of small-sized solid materials and one or more surface modifying agents; forming a plurality of proppant clusters, each proppant cluster comprising two or more of the small-sized solid materials bound together with a portion of the one or more surface modifying agents
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions and methods for forming and using clusters of micron- and/or nano-sized solid materials (e.g., particulates, fibers, etc.) as proppants in subterranean operations are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a fracturing fluid comprising a base fluid, a plurality of small-sized solid materials and one or more surface modifying agents; forming a plurality of proppant clusters, each proppant cluster comprising two or more of the small-sized solid materials bound together with a portion of the one or more surface modifying agents; and introducing the fracturing fluid into a well bore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance one or more fractures in the portion of the subterranean formation.