Tunable Pneumatic Fracturing System for Rock Resonance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oil and gas extraction methods, such as hydraulic fracturing and steam injection, face environmental concerns, high water consumption, and logistical complexities, while existing alternatives like the Gas Gun are inefficient and costly due to fixed pressure pulse devices.
Innovation Solution
A multi-pulse, tunable pneumatic fracturing system that uses pressurized gas to disrupt rock formations by adjusting pulse amplitudes and frequencies to resonate with geological formations, reducing environmental impact and logistical needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydraulic fracturing is used to fracture rock formations, then oil and gas extraction efficiency is improved, but water consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the hydraulic (fluid-based) fracturing system with a pneumatic (gas-based) system. The gas generation assembly produces high-pressure gas pulses that propagate through the wellbore to fracture the rock formation, eliminating the need for large volumes of water while maintaining the mechanical fracturing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent specifically applies pneumatic principles by using a gas generation assembly that produces high-pressure gas pulses. This pneumatic approach substitutes the traditional hydraulic fluid injection method, achieving rock fracturing through compressible gas rather than incompressible liquid, thereby reducing water consumption to minimal amounts for wellbore cleaning.
2Productivity
If hydraulic fracturing with chemicals is used, then rock fracture effectiveness is improved, but environmental pollution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the fracturing medium from liquid-based (water with chemicals) to gas-based (pressurized gas). This parameter change eliminates the need for chemical additives while maintaining fracturing effectiveness through the mechanical energy of gas pulses, thereby reducing environmental pollution.
3Productivity
If steam injection is used for oil extraction, then viscous crude oil recovery is improved, but infrastructure complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal steam injection system with a pneumatic gas pulse system. Instead of requiring a steam generation plant with associated infrastructure, the system uses a gas generation assembly that produces pressurized gas pulses directly in the wellbore, simplifying the infrastructure while maintaining oil recovery capability.
4Productivity
If Gas Gun with solid propellant is used, then nearbore damage is reduced, but operational flexibility and adaptability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities through a programmable microprocessor that can adjust gas pulse parameters (pressure, duration, frequency) in real-time. This allows the system to adapt to different rock formations and operational requirements, providing flexibility that fixed solid propellant systems lack.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables continuous adjustment of operational parameters including gas pulse pressure, duration, and frequency through programmable control. This parameter variability allows optimization for different geological conditions and fracture patterns, enhancing adaptability while maintaining the nearbore damage reduction benefits of controlled gas pulses.
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 pneumatic fracturing system is more environmentally friendly, less water-intensive, and cost-effective, capable of efficiently fracturing both vertical and horizontal wells with reduced infrastructure and operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
A pneumatic fracturing system uses pressurized gas to fracture adjacent earth
Implementation Method 2
The pneumatic fracturing system is tuned to provide pulse amplitudes and frequencies that react with the resonant frequency of an adjacent earth formation
Data Source
AI summary
A tunable pneumatic fracturing system and process useable in some instances to extract oil and gas. Some embodiments provide a pneumatic fracturing tool with an elongated body that (a) contains (i) a propellant supply source intermediate opposed propellant gas discharge assemblies, (ii) a control system, and (iii) a communications port, and (b) has roller assemblies at opposed ends of the body. The tool can be tuned to provide gas pulse amplitudes and frequencies that react with the resonant frequency or other aspect of an adjacent earth formation. Some tool embodiments can variably sweep a rock formation and adjust the pressure pulse amplitude and frequency to disrupt the formation in a more productive manner. Some tools can penetrate vertical bore wells as well non-vertical bore wells. In some systems, the tool is transported and operated by a control truck and can be commanded to download operational data during or after use.