In-situ Spherical Bead Proppants for Fracture Conductivity
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fracturing operations in oil and gas fields are resource-intensive, requiring large amounts of water and generating significant environmental concerns due to water leakage and treatment issues, and traditional proppants face challenges such as screen-out and corrosion in complex fracture networks.
Innovation Solution
A hydraulic fracturing fluid that forms in-situ spherical beads using a spherical bead-forming liquid composition, composed of a primary and secondary liquid precursor, which reacts to create proppants within the fracture network, maximizing fracture area and conductivity without the need for solid proppants, reducing water usage, and minimizing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional solid proppants are used in hydraulic fracturing, then fracture permeability is maintained, but screen-out occurs in complex fracture networks
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the physical state of proppants from solid to liquid-forming-spherical-beads. The liquid proppant composition can flow throughout the entire fracture network without screen-out, then transforms into spherical beads in-situ to maintain permeability. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by eliminating the screen-out issue while maintaining the permeability function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses liquid proppant composition as an intermediary that temporarily exists in fluid form to navigate complex fracture networks, then transforms into spherical beads to perform the proppant function. This intermediary state allows the material to overcome the screen-out problem while ultimately achieving the desired permeability maintenance.
2Reliability
If large volumes of water are used for hydraulic fracturing, then fracture conductivity is improved, but environmental concerns increase due to water leakage and treatment issues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the composition of the fracturing fluid by replacing a significant portion of water with liquid proppant composition. This reduces water usage and associated environmental issues while maintaining fracture conductivity through the proppant-forming liquid and the spherical beads it creates.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid proppant composition serves dual functions: it acts as part of the fracturing fluid to create fractures and simultaneously serves as the proppant material itself. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate water and proppant components, reducing overall fluid volume and environmental impact.
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 in-situ formed spherical beads are mechanically strong, resistant to fracture closure, and enhance fracture conductivity, reducing the need for extensive water usage and minimizing environmental impact while maintaining effective hydrocarbon production.
Implementation Method 1
A hydraulic fracturing fluid that forms in-situ spherical beads using a spherical bead-forming liquid composition, composed of a primary and secondary liquid precursor, which reacts to create proppants within the fracture network
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A hydraulic fracturing fluid for use in oilfield applications is disclosed, the hydraulic fracturing fluid includes a spherical bead-forming liquid composition, the spherical bead-forming liquid composition characterized by a primary liquid precursor and a secondary liquid precursor, the primary liquid precursor characterized by a micellar forming surfactant, a bead-forming compound, and a non-solids bearing liquid solvent; and the secondary liquid precursor characterized by one or more curing agents, and one or more co-curing agents.