Proppant Detection in Hydraulic Fracturing Sludge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting and quantifying proppant in hydraulic fracturing operations lack efficiency, making it difficult to determine properly stimulated reservoir areas and optimize fracture treatment design in in-fill and new wells.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that involves washing and analyzing sludge samples from core barrels to isolate and quantify proppant using visual and computer-based analysis, employing solvents like hexane and methanol, and image recognition software, along with AI-based detection workflows to identify and classify proppant particles, enabling qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional manual methods are used to detect and quantify proppant in sludge samples, then the process is simple to operate, but the measurement precision and productivity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and mechanical counting methods with computer-based image analysis systems. The system captures images of sludge samples and uses software algorithms to automatically detect, count, and quantify proppant particles, eliminating the need for manual examination while significantly improving both precision and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates digital copies (images) of the physical sludge samples containing proppant particles. By working with these optical copies rather than the physical samples themselves, the system can analyze multiple samples rapidly without destroying or consuming the original materials, thereby increasing productivity while maintaining measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If advanced computer-based analysis systems are implemented to improve proppant detection precision, then measurement accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the computer-based analysis system to perform multiple functions: image capture, image processing, particle detection, particle classification, and quantitative analysis. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated system, the patent reduces overall complexity compared to having separate specialized devices for each function, while maintaining high measurement precision.
3Manufacturing precision
If solvents like hexane and methanol are used to isolate proppant from sludge, then proppant separation purity improves, but loss of substance increases due to solvent handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses solvents (hexane and methanol) as intermediary substances to facilitate the separation of proppant particles from the sludge matrix. The solvents selectively dissolve or disperse certain components of the sludge while leaving proppant particles intact, enabling clean separation. The system is designed to minimize proppant loss during this intermediary-based separation process through controlled handling and recovery procedures.
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
Enables accurate determination of stimulated and unstimulated reservoir areas, allowing for targeted fracturing to maximize hydrocarbon production by optimizing fracture treatment design and spacing in in-fill and new wells.
Implementation Method 1
The subject method preferably includes isolating solid shale and proppant from an oily sludge matrix of the core
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for detecting and quantifying proppant for optimized fracture treatment design in in-fill and new wells. Proppant is isolated from drilling fluids and then analyzed to determine whether a formation within the well has been properly stimulated based on the analysis. Placement of an in-fill well may be based upon the determination of whether the well has been properly stimulated.