Steerable Hydraulic Jetting Nozzle for Mini-Lateral Borehole Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for drilling and completing horizontal wells in tight reservoirs face challenges in achieving desired fracture geometries and permeability, leading to inefficiencies in hydrocarbon extraction due to complex fracture geometries and high costs associated with hydraulic fracturing treatments.
Innovation Solution
A downhole hydraulic jetting assembly that includes a steerable jetting nozzle with electro-magnetic coils and a guidance system for precise control of the jetting nozzle, allowing for the formation of mini-lateral boreholes and subsequent hydraulic fracturing without the need to pull the jetting hose out of the wellbore, enabling optimal placement of fracture stages and increased exposure to pay zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional hydraulic fracturing treatments are used in horizontal wells, then fracture stages can be created, but the fracture geometries become complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the fracture creation process into multiple separate mini-lateral boreholes instead of creating one complex fracture network. Each mini-lateral borehole is jetted independently and then fractured separately, segmenting the overall stimulation into simpler, more controllable individual stages. This reduces the complexity of the overall fracture geometry while achieving comprehensive reservoir coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates mini-lateral boreholes through jetting before performing hydraulic fracturing. This preliminary action of jetting the boreholes establishes precise geometric templates that guide subsequent fracture propagation, ensuring predictable and controlled fracture geometries rather than allowing complex, uncontrolled fracture networks to develop.
2Productivity
If multiple wellbores are drilled to drain a reservoir volume, then hydrocarbon recovery increases, but the cost and complexity of drilling and completing multiple wells increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from creating multiple separate vertical/horizontal wellbores to creating multiple mini-lateral boreholes that extend laterally from a single parent wellbore. This dimensional change allows the system to achieve the reservoir drainage capability of multiple wells while using only one parent wellbore, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing wellbore complexity and associated costs.
3Manufacturing precision
If hydraulic jetting assembly is used to form mini-lateral boreholes, then precise control over borehole geometry is achieved, but the device complexity and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic jetting assembly is designed to be self-contained and self-directed. The assembly includes its own hydraulic power source and jetting nozzles that automatically erode the formation to create the mini-lateral borehole. The system uses the hydraulic fluid itself to both power the jetting process and to subsequently perform the fracturing operation, eliminating the need for separate equipment and simplifying operations despite the precision capabilities.
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 solution enhances the control over fracture network geometry, reduces the complexity of fracture growth, and decreases the number of wellbores required to drain a reservoir volume, thereby improving hydrocarbon recovery efficiency and reducing costs by allowing multiple mini-lateral boreholes to be formed in a single trip and optimizing stimulation treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a boring device disposed at a distal end of the flexible tubular body. The boring device is configured to excavate a rock matrix as a borehole in response to transmission of the jetting fluid
Implementation Method 2
A downhole hydraulic jetting assembly that includes a steerable jetting nozzle with electro-magnetic coils and a guidance system for precise control of the jetting nozzle
Data Source
AI summary
A hydraulic jetting assembly is provided herein. The jetting assembly includes a jetting hose, with a jetting nozzle at its distal end. The jetting nozzle comprises a tubular stator body having a fluid discharge slot, and a tubular rotor body residing within a bore of the stator body. The jetting nozzle has one or more bearings residing between the stator body and the surrounding rotor body to accommodate relative rotational movement. The jetting nozzle includes a proximal end configured to sealingly connect to an end of a jetting hose, and to receive a high pressure jetting fluid. Preferably, the nozzle has an outer diameter that is equivalent to or slightly larger than an outer diameter of the jetting hose. Preferably, the jetting assembly has at least three actuator wires configured to induce a controlled bending moment at its distal end, thereby providing for a steerable downhole tool. Jetting collars may be placed along the jetting hose to overcome drag force.