Far-field diversion with pulsed proppant in subterranean fracturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic fracturing methods often fail to create effective fracture networks in carboniferous formations like shales, clays, and coal beds due to their finely laminated structures, which are easily broken down, limiting the feasibility of enhancing conductivity for hydrocarbon production.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of alternating stages of proppant-carrying fracturing fluid and 'clean' fracturing fluid, interspersed with diverting agents, is used to create and enhance varied fracture geometries in subterranean formations, including secondary and tertiary fractures, through a fluid pumping strategy that varies hydrostatic pressure and fluid composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional hydraulic fracturing methods are used in carboniferous formations, then single fractures may be created, but the finely laminated structures break down easily and effective fracture networks cannot be formed
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment is divided into multiple alternating stages of proppant-carrying fluid and clean fluid, with diverting agents introduced at specific intervals. This segmentation allows the formation of multiple discrete fracture segments that collectively create a network rather than a single continuous fracture, addressing the instability of laminated structures by treating the formation in controlled portions.
Solution Approach 2:
The method employs periodic injection of diverting agents at predetermined intervals during the fracturing process. This periodic action creates repeated cycles of fracture initiation and diversion, allowing the buildup of a complex fracture network over time rather than relying on a single fracture event, thereby improving reliability in unstable formations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If alternating stages of proppant-carrying fracturing fluid and clean fracturing fluid are introduced, then varied fracture geometries including secondary and tertiary fractures are created, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts fluid composition and injection parameters during the fracturing process. By varying the alternation patterns of proppant-carrying and clean fluids, and timing diverting agent injections based on real-time pressure responses, the system adapts to formation characteristics to create diverse fracture geometries while managing process complexity through controlled variability.
Solution Approach 2:
The method changes multiple parameters simultaneously including fluid composition (proppant concentration), injection rate, pressure levels, and timing intervals. These coordinated parameter changes enable the creation of varied fracture geometries by controlling when and how fractures initiate and propagate, while the systematic approach to parameter variation prevents unmanageable complexity.
3Reliability
If diverting agents are introduced during alternating stages, then conductive channels are enhanced in far-field areas, but the treatment time and process duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
Diverting agents are introduced at predetermined intervals before the main proppant injection reaches the far-field areas. This preliminary action ensures that diversion mechanisms are in place beforehand to guide subsequent proppant placement, enhancing conductive channel formation in remote areas without requiring extended treatment time after the main injection.
Solution Approach 2:
The alternating stages of proppant-carrying fluid and clean fluid with interspersed diverting agents create a continuous fracturing process without idle periods. Each stage builds upon the previous one, maintaining continuous useful action in fracture creation and enhancement, thereby minimizing total treatment time while achieving far-field conductivity goals.
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 the creation of more conductive channels and enhanced fracture geometries in the far-field area of subterranean formations, effectively stimulating tight formations and improving hydrocarbon production by creating branched or dendritic fractures.
Implementation Method 1
pumping a treatment fluid (e.g., a fracturing fluid or a 'pad fluid') into a well bore that penetrates a subterranean formation at or above a sufficient hydraulic pressure to create or enhance one or more pathways, or 'fractures,' in the subterranean formation
Implementation Method 2
The proppant particulates are thought to help prevent the fractures from fully closing upon the release of the hydraulic pressure, forming conductive channels through which fluids may flow to a well bore
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods that use far-field diverting agents and proppant pulsing to enhance fracture geometries in far field areas of a subterranean formation are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: introducing into a well bore penetrating a portion of a subterranean formation alternating stages of a proppant-carrying fracturing fluid comprising a plurality of proppant particulates, and a clean fracturing fluid comprising a lesser concentration of proppant particulates than the proppant-carrying fracturing fluid, wherein the alternating stages of the proppant-carrying fracturing fluid and the clean fracturing fluid are introduced into the well bore at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance one or more fractures in the subterranean formation; and introducing a diverting agent into the well bore during one or more of the alternating stages of proppant-carrying fracturing fluid and clean fracturing fluid.