Slickwater Proppant Agglomeration for Uniform Fracture Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Slickwater fracturing in unconventional reservoirs faces challenges in achieving uniform proppant distribution due to the complex geometry of fractures, leading to inefficiencies in reservoir coverage and increased material usage.

Innovation Solution

Introduce a cationic additive to the slickwater slurry to form gel-like agglomerates that trap proppant particles, reducing bulk density and enhancing proppant pack height, thereby improving reservoir coverage with a similar or reduced total mass of proppant.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If proppant is pumped into the fracture using slickwater fracturing, then the fracture is propped open for production, but the proppant distribution becomes non-uniform due to complex fracture geometry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproppant distribution uniformityVSAvoidfracture geometry complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a carrier material (biodegradable polymer or natural fiber) as an intermediary substance that binds proppant particles together into agglomerates. This carrier material acts as a mediator between the proppant and the fracturing fluid, allowing the proppant to be transported more uniformly through the complex fracture geometry. The carrier material's fibrous or polymeric structure helps distribute the proppant agglomerates more evenly throughout the fracture system, reducing the non-uniform distribution caused by complex fracture geometries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the proppant by forming agglomerates with carrier materials. This transformation alters the size, density, and flow characteristics of the proppant particles. The agglomerated proppant has different rheological properties that enable better suspension in the slickwater fracturing fluid, improving distribution uniformity throughout the fracture system despite geometric complexities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Area of stationary object

If more proppant is used to improve reservoir coverage, then fracture coverage increases, but material costs and emissions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereservoir coverage areaVSAvoidproppant mass

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite material system consisting of proppant particles bound with carrier material (biodegradable polymer or natural fiber). This composite structure allows the proppant to be delivered more efficiently through the fracture system. The carrier material provides structural support and improves flow characteristics, enabling better reservoir coverage with reduced proppant quantities by optimizing the distribution efficiency rather than relying on increased proppant volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If proppant forms dense packs in the fracture, then the fracture is effectively propped, but the proppant bulk density increases reducing distribution efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture propping effectivenessVSAvoidproppant bulk density

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming proppant agglomerates with carrier materials before injection. This pre-agglomeration process prepares the proppant in advance to achieve optimal distribution characteristics during injection. The carrier material is already bound to the proppant particles, creating a structured composite that will distribute more uniformly and prevent excessive densification during the fracturing operation, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing bulk density issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 agglomerates increase proppant distribution and reservoir contact, enabling cost and emission savings while maintaining or improving fracture coverage, even with reduced proppant volume per stage.

Implementation Method 1

the cationic additive reacts due to electrostatic attraction, forming gel-like substances or agglomerates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic attraction: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

This process, which may be termed complex coacervation, agglomeration, or aggregation, may entrap proppant particles during formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComplex coacervation: Coacervate

Data Source

PatentUS20260071530A1Techniques for enhancing proppant distribution

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 SCHLUMBERGER TECH CORP

AI summary

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to techniques for creating a filler material within a slickwater slurry. The filler material is generated by adding a cationic additive to the slickwater slurry. The cationic additive can be introduced to the slurry either before, after, or simultaneously with the proppant or friction reducer. Upon addition and mixing with the friction reducer, the cationic additive reacts due to electrostatic attraction, forming gel-like substances or agglomerates. This process, which may be termed complex coacervation, agglomeration, or aggregation, may entrap proppant particles during formation, with proppant particles possibly being trapped within these agglomerates or aggregates. The operation then proceeds as a slickwater treatment. After the proppant is delivered into the fracture and subsequently transported and settled, the agglomerates act as fillers within the proppant pack, thereby reducing its bulk density.