Selective Lateral Wellbore Fracturing via Resistivity Water Content
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fracturing of subterranean rock formations often results in significant water production, increasing the cost of hydrocarbon recovery as water can range from 25% to 75% of total fluid production, making it economically undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A method involving electromagnetic resistivity measurements along a lateral section of the wellbore to estimate water content, allowing for targeted fracturing in low-water regions and avoiding high-water areas, thereby reducing the number of fracturing stages and subsequent water production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydraulic fracturing is performed extensively along the lateral section to maximize hydrocarbon production, then hydrocarbon recovery is improved, but water production increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making fracturing decisions based on local formation characteristics. Electromagnetic resistivity measurements are taken at multiple locations along the lateral section to identify specific zones with low water content. Fracturing is then selectively applied only to those favorable zones, rather than uniformly across the entire lateral section. This allows hydrocarbon production to be maximized from productive zones while avoiding water production from high-water zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the lateral section into multiple discrete zones based on electromagnetic resistivity measurements. Each zone is evaluated independently for its water content characteristics, and fracturing decisions are made for each segment separately. This segmentation allows the well to be completed in a customized manner, applying fracturing only to segments with favorable low-water characteristics while leaving high-water segments untreated.
2Loss of substance
If electromagnetic resistivity measurements are made to identify low-water content regions for selective fracturing, then water production is reduced, but the complexity of the completion process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing electromagnetic resistivity measurements and evaluating formation water content before the fracturing operation. This advance characterization allows the completion team to identify favorable low-water zones in advance and plan the fracturing strategy accordingly. The measurements are made during the drilling or pre-completion phase, so that when fracturing is performed, the locations and extent of treatment can be precisely controlled based on pre-acquired data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses electromagnetic resistivity measurements as an intermediary tool to indirectly assess formation water content without directly sampling or producing the formation. The electromagnetic measurements provide a non-invasive means to characterize formation properties and guide fracturing decisions. This intermediary approach avoids the need for direct formation intervention during the measurement phase, simplifying the overall process compared to methods requiring physical sampling or test production.
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 operational costs by minimizing fracturing in high-water content areas, leading to improved hydrocarbon recovery and decreased water separation and treatment expenses.
Implementation Method 1
making electromagnetic resistivity measurements along a lateral section of the wellbore
Data Source
AI summary
A method for completing a wellbore traversing a subterranean formation includes making electromagnetic resistivity measurements along a lateral section of the wellbore. The resistivity measurements are evaluated to estimate a water content of the subterranean formation along the lateral section. The formation is fractured at selected regions along the lateral section at which the water content is below a threshold and avoiding regions at which the water content is above the threshold.