Resin-Coated Proppant Pillar Conductivity via Protective Mask
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic fracturing methods face challenges in maintaining fluid flow between proppant pillars due to clogging, which reduces well production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A chemical agent is injected to treat the fracture surface, using resin-coated proppant particles that form a protective mask, allowing for selective etching or washing between pillars without disturbing the existing structure, enhancing conductivity by using solvents, gel destructors, or reactive fluids that modify rock wettability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resin coated proppant particles are used to form proppant pillars, then the fracture is held open and sand flowback is controlled, but the space between pillars becomes clogged and fluid flow between pillars is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by injecting a chemical agent that reacts with the resin coating on proppant particles to form a protective mask before the clogging problem occurs. This mask is created in advance to prevent the resin from leaching out and clogging the fracture space, thereby preserving fluid flow pathways while maintaining the structural integrity of proppant pillars.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a chemical agent as an intermediary substance that reacts with the resin coating to form a protective mask. This intermediary agent mediates between the resin coating (which provides structural support) and the fracture space (which needs to remain open for fluid flow), preventing the harmful interaction where resin leaching would cause clogging.
2Productivity
If chemical agents are injected to clean the fracture space, then fluid flow between pillars is improved, but the proppant pillar structure may be disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The protective mask formed by the chemical agent acts as an intermediary barrier between the cleaning chemicals and the proppant pillar structure. This mask allows cleaning agents to remove clogging material from the fracture space while preventing direct contact that could disturb or dissolve the proppant pillars themselves.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a protective mask specifically on the surface of proppant particles that are part of the pillar structure, while allowing the fracture space between pillars to be cleaned. This selective protection ensures that only the necessary areas are shielded, maintaining pillar integrity while enabling effective cleaning of the fluid flow pathways.
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 method improves oil flow between proppant pillars by maintaining open spaces and preventing clogging, thereby increasing well production efficiency and preserving the 'room-and-pillar' structure.
Implementation Method 1
The chemical agent is injected in the form of solid particles capable of producing the live chemical agent under exposure to the well conditions. The resin substances of proppant pellets able to release from the pillars under the well conditions or resin substances binding the proppant particles together into pillars are used as the protecting mask forming substances.
Implementation Method 2
A solvent or a fluid carrying an oxidant/a gel destructor is additionally injected into the proppant packing created.
Implementation Method 3
A solvent or a fluid carrying an oxidant/a gel destructor is additionally injected into the proppant packing created.
Implementation Method 4
A chemically active fluid that attacks the rock and 'opens' the rock surface between and around the proppant pillars is additionally injected.
Data Source
AI summary
The application is directed to a hydraulic fracturing method and can be used for enhancement of the well production. The method for enhancement of fracture conductivity comprises the chemical treatment of the fracture surface and the space between the proppant pillars over the protective mask formed by material precipitated out from the proppant pillar.