Proppant-Free Fluid Conditioning for Complex Fracture Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic fracturing methods face challenges in effectively weakening the mechanical properties of rock formations to enhance hydrocarbon production, as they often rely on proppant-based fluids that may not adequately create complex fracture networks or increase permeability.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid is circulated into a wellbore to contact the rock formation for a specified duration, weakening its mechanical strength, followed by the introduction of a proppant-laden fluid to further fracture the formation, creating a more complex network and increasing permeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If proppant-based hydraulic fracturing liquid is used to fracture the rock formation, then the fracture network is created, but the mechanical strength of the rock is not sufficiently weakened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by circulating a proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid through the wellbore into the rock formation before introducing the proppant-based fracturing liquid. This preliminary circulation weakens the mechanical strength of the rock formation by fluid contact over a specified duration (3 hours to 1 month), preparing the formation to more effectively respond to subsequent proppant injection and fracture network creation.
2Strength
If proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid is circulated for extended duration, then the mechanical strength of rock is weakened, but the process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by specifying a controlled duration range for the proppant-free liquid circulation (3 hours to 1 month) and allowing selection based on desired weakening effect. The method enables optimization between weakening effectiveness and time investment by adjusting the contact duration parameter, with the understanding that longer durations produce greater tensile strength reduction.
3Device complexity
If conventional hydraulic fracturing is used, then the process is simpler, but the fracture network complexity and permeability increase are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the hydraulic fracturing process into distinct sequential stages: (1) circulation of proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid for a specified duration to weaken the formation, (2) introduction of proppant-based hydraulic fracturing liquid to create fractures, and (3) optional secondary circulation of proppant-free liquid to further condition the formation. This segmented approach creates more complex fracture networks and increases permeability compared to conventional single-stage methods.
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 reduces the rock's tensile strength and enhances permeability, leading to a more complex fracture network that can increase hydrocarbon production, making the process more economically viable for horizontal wells.
Implementation Method 1
fluidly contacting the geologic formation with the proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid for a specified duration of time
Implementation Method 2
circulating a hydraulic fracturing liquid that includes proppant into the wellbore to fracture the geologic formation
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for hydraulically fracturing a geologic formation include circulating a proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid into a wellbore that is formed from a terranean surface into a geologic formation within a subterranean zone that is adjacent the wellbore; fluidly contacting the geologic formation with the proppant-free hydraulic fracturing liquid for a specified duration of time; and subsequent to the specified duration of time, circulating a hydraulic fracturing liquid that includes proppant into the wellbore to fracture the geologic formation.