Hydrocarbon-Soluble Tracer Dispersion for Horizontal Well Flow Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tracing hydrocarbon flow in highly deviated or horizontal wells post-hydraulic fracturing are expensive, time-consuming, and often inaccurate, limiting the understanding of hydraulic fracture effectiveness and reservoir fluid extraction.
Innovation Solution
The application of hydrocarbon-partitioning tracer technology involves forming a dispersion or emulsion with a hydrocarbon-soluble tracer compound in an aqueous liquid, injecting it during hydraulic fracturing, and analyzing samples for tracer presence to identify flow origins and reservoir fluid movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional logging methods are used to trace hydrocarbon flow in highly deviated or horizontal wells, then the tracing can be performed, but the process becomes expensive, time-consuming, and relatively inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical logging systems with a chemical tracer-based method. Tracer compounds are injected into the hydraulic fracturing fluid, which then naturally distributes through the formation. The tracer's movement is detected through chemical analysis of produced fluids rather than mechanical logging tools, eliminating the need for complex downhole logging equipment in highly deviated wells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tracer compounds as intermediary substances to indirectly track hydrocarbon flow. Instead of directly measuring fluid movement with logging tools, the tracer acts as a mediator that distributes with the fracturing fluid and can be detected in produced fluids, providing flow information through chemical presence rather than direct mechanical measurement.
2Reliability
If conventional logging methods are used to trace hydrocarbon flow in highly deviated or horizontal wells, then the tracing can be performed, but the process becomes expensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs the tracing action preliminarily by injecting tracer compounds during the hydraulic fracturing operation itself, before production begins. This allows flow information to be gathered during the fracturing process rather than requiring separate logging operations afterward, improving both reliability of fracture design understanding and overall productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the tracing function with the hydraulic fracturing operation. The tracer injection is combined with the fracturing fluid injection, so that a single operation achieves both fracture creation and flow path tracing, eliminating the need for separate logging operations and improving well development efficiency.
3Loss of information
If tracer compounds are injected into the reservoir, then flow tracing information can be obtained, but the complexity of the tracing system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses tracer compounds that are inexpensive and serve their purpose for a limited duration. The tracers are injected during fracturing, distribute through the formation, and are detected in produced fluids over a relatively short period. This disposable approach to tracing avoids the need for complex, expensive, long-term monitoring systems while still capturing the necessary flow information.
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 method provides accurate and efficient tracing of hydrocarbon flow, enabling better understanding of fracture design effectiveness and optimizing well placement and production, including confirming plug release and identifying cross-flow between wells.
Implementation Method 1
forming a dispersion consisting of a discontinuous condensed phase and a continuous liquid phase, said discontinuous condensed phase comprising a hydrocarbon-soluble tracer compound and said continuous liquid phase comprising an aqueous liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A method of tracing flow of hydrocarbon from a subterranean reservoir including forming a dispersion, injecting a hydraulic fracturing fluid containing the dispersion down a well penetrating a hydrocarbon reservoir, thereafter collecting a sample of hydrocarbon fluid flowing from the reservoir, and analyzing the sample to determine whether the tracer compound is present in the sample. The dispersion includes a discontinuous condensed phase having a hydrocarbon-soluble tracer compound and a continuous phase which includes an aqueous liquid.