Thermal Model for Acid Stimulation Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current acid stimulation methods in subterranean formations lack effective monitoring and evaluation techniques to determine acid distribution and the effectiveness of the stimulation process, particularly in understanding heat sources and fluid flow dynamics during acid-rock chemical reactions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that utilize a thermal model based on energy balance equations to account for heat sources from chemical reactions between acid and the formation, geothermal heat, and heat exchange between downhole components and the borehole annulus, allowing for the evaluation of acid distribution and stimulation effectiveness by processing temperature measurements from Distributed Temperature Sensing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If acid stimulation fluid is injected into the formation, then hydrocarbon production is stimulated, but the effectiveness and acid distribution cannot be monitored
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using temperature measurements from the stimulation process to evaluate acid distribution and stimulation effectiveness. The temperature data provides feedback information that allows operators to assess whether the acid stimulation achieved the desired results and identify areas for improvement in future stimulation operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses temperature as an intermediary parameter to indirectly measure acid distribution and stimulation effectiveness. Instead of directly measuring acid concentration or flow distribution, the system uses temperature changes as a mediator that reflects the underlying acid-rock reactions and fluid flow patterns, making the invisible acid distribution visible through thermal effects.
2Measurement precision
If temperature measurements are used to monitor stimulation, then acid distribution can be evaluated, but the complexity of accounting for multiple heat sources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal model into distinct heat source components: chemical reaction heat from acid-rock interactions, geothermal heat from the formation, and heat exchange between the borehole components and annulus. By segmenting the complex thermal field into separate, manageable heat sources, the system can accurately measure acid distribution while maintaining model manageability through systematic decomposition of the thermal problem.
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
Enables accurate estimation and visualization of acid distribution, identifying under- or over-acidized sections, and optimizing the stimulation process by correlating measured and simulated temperature profiles, thereby improving hydrocarbon production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the first heat source expected to produce heat during the stimulation by a chemical reaction between an acid in the stimulation fluid and the formation
Implementation Method 2
the second heat source including expected geothermal heat from the formation
Implementation Method 3
temperature measurements from Distributed Temperature Sensing systems
Data Source
AI summary
A method of evaluating a stimulation operation includes: receiving parameter information for the stimulation operation, the stimulation operation including injecting an acid stimulation fluid into an earth formation along a selected length of a borehole from a tubular disposed in the borehole; and generating, by a processor, a thermal model based on one or more energy balance equations that account for at least a first heat source and a second heat source, the first heat source expected to produce heat during the stimulation by a chemical reaction between an acid in the stimulation fluid and the formation, and the second heat source including expected geothermal heat from the formation.