Self-Phase Change Proppant Emulsification for Fracture Permeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional solid proppants in oilfields face challenges due to high density, complex process requirements, and increased construction costs, necessitating a method for preparing a self-phase change proppant with low density and adjustable particle sizes for effective fracture management.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the preparation of an emulsified and toughened bio-based epoxy resin, modified with graphite particles and emulsified using SiO2 particles, to create a self-phase change proppant with adjustable mesh numbers, enhancing migration ability and fracture permeability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional solid proppant (quartz sand, ceramsite) is used, then fracture support function is achieved, but high density requires highly viscous sand-laden fluid and limits migration capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of proppant by transitioning from conventional solid proppant (quartz sand, ceramsite) to liquid proppant containing liquid hydrocarbon and surfactant. This parameter change reduces proppant density, enabling effective suspension in low-viscosity fracturing fluid and improving migration capacity while maintaining fracture support function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition by employing liquid proppant that can be injected in liquid form and then solidifies or deposits in the fracture to provide support. The liquid proppant system transitions from liquid state during injection to solid/proppant-form state in the fracture, achieving both improved migration and effective fracture proping.
2Reliability
If multiple sand addition processes are used to achieve best development effect, then different fracture sections are properly supported, but construction technology complexity and construction cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a liquid proppant system that can simultaneously serve multiple fracture sections. The liquid proppant with adjustable viscosity and particle size distribution can be injected once to reach and support both distal/small fractures and near-well/main fractures, eliminating the need for separate injection processes for different sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by creating a proppant system with adjustable properties. The liquid proppant formulation allows dynamic adjustment of viscosity and particle size distribution to match different fracture characteristics, enabling a single injection process to effectively support varying fracture sections that would traditionally require multiple staged injections.
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
The self-phase change proppant demonstrates improved migration ability, reduced surface tension, and enhanced fracture permeability, effectively reducing construction costs and improving oilfield development efficiency by meeting the requirements for different fracture sections.
Implementation Method 1
toughening modification is performed on the bio-based epoxy resin by graphite particles
Implementation Method 2
the bio-based epoxy resin after the toughening modification is emulsified by SiO2 particles as an emulsifier to prepare the self-phase change proppant
Implementation Method 3
capable of significantly reducing surface and interfacial tension, and has a low concentration during use
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for preparing a self-phase change proppant based on an emulsified and toughened bio-based epoxy resin. Toughening modification is performed on the bio-based epoxy resin by graphite particles, and then the bio-based epoxy resin after the toughening modification is emulsified by SiO2 particles as an emulsifier to prepare the self-phase change proppant; a proportion of different mesh numbers in the self-phase change proppant is adjusted by changing a concentration of the emulsifier during emulsification; and the chemical formula of the bio-based epoxy resin is:The proppant particles in the present disclosure have good sphericity and high fracture permeability after being laid, which can effectively extract the remaining oil in the fractures, thus improving the development efficiency of the oilfield.