Pulse Fracturing Device Pressure Cycling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current pulse fracturing methods in the oil and gas industry face challenges in efficiently creating fractures in subsurface formations with varying compositions, often requiring high pressures and lacking flexibility in fracturing fluid delivery systems.
Innovation Solution
A pulse fracturing device and method utilizing an upper and lower isolation mechanism with a housing, featuring a normally open excess flow valve and a pressure relief valve, which cyclically produce pulses of increased pressure by isolating sections of the well casing and using a hydraulic ram to deliver fracturing fluid, allowing for controlled pressure pulses to fatigue the formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If high pressure is used for fracturing, then fracture propagation is achieved, but equipment complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic pressure pulses instead of continuous high pressure. The pump system operates in cyclic phases: pressurizing the formation, holding pressure, then rapidly depressurizing. This periodic action creates stress cycles that fatigue the formation over time, allowing fracture propagation at lower peak pressures compared to sustained high-pressure methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary formation fatigue through repeated pressure cycling before final fracture creation. Multiple pump cycles progressively weaken the formation structure, creating micro-fractures and stress pathways that facilitate easier fracture propagation in subsequent cycles, reducing the pressure needed for final fracture establishment.
2Stress or pressure
If high pressure is used for fracturing, then fracture propagation is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic pressure pulsing creates cumulative fatigue damage to the formation with each cycle. The energy input is distributed across multiple lower-intensity pulses rather than one high-intensity continuous application. The formation progressively weakens with each cycle, reducing the energy required for subsequent fracture propagation and overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system maintains continuous engagement with the formation through repeated cycling rather than intermittent high-pressure bursts. The continuous application of cyclic loading keeps the formation under stress, preventing stress relaxation and maintaining progressive damage accumulation, which improves energy efficiency compared to discontinuous high-pressure methods.
3Reliability
If formation fatigue is achieved through pressure cycling, then fracturing effectiveness increases, but process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The method employs structured periodic cycling with defined phases: pressurization, holding, and depressurization. Each cycle contributes to formation fatigue, and the systematic repetition ensures progressive damage accumulation. The predictable cycle structure allows for optimized timing, balancing the number of cycles needed for effective fatigue against the total time investment.
Solution Approach 2:
The formation itself serves as the medium for energy transfer and damage accumulation. The cyclic pressure loading exploits the formation's own mechanical properties and stress response to generate progressive failure. The formation's natural stress redistribution and micro-fracture propagation during each cycle accelerate the fatigue process, reducing the number of cycles needed compared to methods that rely solely on external mechanical forcing.
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 fracturing at lower pressures, fatigues the formation effectively, and is adaptable to various formation compositions, potentially increasing hydrocarbon production while reducing the need for high-pressure fracturing.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic ram to deliver fracturing fluid, allowing for controlled pressure pulses
Implementation Method 2
which cyclically produce pulses of increased pressure by isolating sections of the well casing
Implementation Method 3
fatigues the formation effectively, and is adaptable to various formation compositions, potentially increasing hydrocarbon production while reducing the need for high-pressure fracturing
Data Source
AI summary
A pulse fracturing device includes a normally open first valve and a normally closed second valve in a housing. The first valve is configured to close at a predetermined level of hydrodynamic force exerted on the first valve and to open when the force drops below the predetermined level. The first valve, when open, is configured to allow fluid flow out from the housing. The second valve is configured to open at a predetermined pressure within the housing and to close when pressure drops below the predetermined pressure. The second valve, when open, is configured to allow fluid flow out from the housing.