Active Seismic Monitoring for Fracturing Fluid Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fracturing operations face challenges due to fluid loss into the porous matrix of subterranean formations, limiting fracture size and geometry, and existing methods provide limited data for determining subterranean characteristics, making it difficult to optimize fracturing operations effectively.
Innovation Solution
Active seismic monitoring and the use of fracturing fluids with additives that enhance impedance, combined with seismic and electromagnetic surveys, to identify fracturing fluid locations and modify fracturing operations for improved fluid distribution and fracture creation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fracturing fluid is pumped into the well bore to create fractures, then fracture creation and hydrocarbon flow improvement are achieved, but fluid loss into the porous matrix occurs, limiting fracture size and geometry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the fracturing fluid by adjusting its viscosity and adding crosslinking agents to create a gel structure. This parameter change allows the fluid to maintain pressure more effectively and reduce loss into the porous matrix while still achieving fracture creation and propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining proppant particles (sand, gravel, or synthetic materials) with the fracturing fluid to create a proppant slurry. This composite approach allows the proppant to prop open the fractures while the fluid carries it and provides the necessary pressure to create and maintain the fracture network.
2Measurement precision
If pressure testing is performed to measure formation characteristics, then pressure data is obtained, but the one-dimensional aspect of pressure provides relatively limited data for detailed spatial description
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges pressure testing with seismic surveying to combine the advantages of both methods. Pressure testing provides information about fluid flow and permeability, while seismic surveying provides spatial distribution data about fracture geometry and formation structure. Together, they provide comprehensive characterization of the formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the pressure testing by incorporating seismic surveying. While pressure testing provides one-dimensional pressure data, seismic methods provide three-dimensional imaging of the subsurface, allowing detailed spatial description of fracture locations, orientations, and geometries.
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 allows for more effective fracturing operations by optimizing fluid placement and fracture creation, enhancing hydrocarbon flow and reducing fluid loss, while providing detailed spatial data on subterranean characteristics.
Implementation Method 1
perform a survey with the sources and the receivers during the fracturing operation
Implementation Method 2
the use of fracturing fluids with additives that enhance impedance
Implementation Method 3
pumping a fracturing fluid into a well bore of the hydrocarbon reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A method for managing a fracturing operation. In one implementation, the method may include positioning one or more sources and one or more receivers near a hydrocarbon reservoir; pumping a fracturing fluid into a well bore of the hydrocarbon reservoir; performing a survey with the sources and the receivers during the fracturing operation; comparing the baseline survey to the survey performed during the fracturing operation; analyzing one or more differences between the baseline survey and the survey performed during the fracturing operation; and modifying the fracturing operation based on the differences.