Wellbore Friction Pressure Calculation via Bottom Hole Gauge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydraulic fracturing technologies face challenges in accurately determining and managing friction pressure in wellbores during the process, which affects the efficiency and effectiveness of fluid distribution and resource extraction.
Innovation Solution
A wellbore fracturing system that includes a bottom hole pressure gauge and a processor to calculate and manage friction pressure by sampling time-series data, allowing for real-time optimization of fracturing fluid systems and proppant concentrations to maintain target pressures and improve job design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If friction pressure is not accurately determined and managed, then fluid distribution efficiency and resource extraction effectiveness deteriorate, but implementing real-time friction pressure calculation and control increases system complexity and measurement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors bottom hole gauge pressure and uses this feedback to calculate friction pressure in real-time. The processor receives pressure data, computes friction pressure using the established mathematical relationship, and uses this information to optimize fluid distribution and extraction effectiveness dynamically during the fracturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with a computational approach. Instead of using multiple physical sensors and complex mechanical devices to directly measure friction pressure, the system uses a processor to calculate friction pressure from bottom hole gauge pressure readings based on a mathematical model, simplifying the physical measurement requirements
2Measurement precision
If time-series sampling of bottom-hole gauge pressures is performed to calculate friction pressure, then measurement precision improves, but loss of time increases due to the sampling and calculation process
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs continuous time-series sampling of bottom-hole gauge pressure throughout the fracturing operation. Rather than taking discrete measurements at specific intervals, the system continuously monitors pressure and continuously calculates friction pressure, ensuring that measurement precision is maintained without significant time loss as the calculation occurs in real-time alongside the fracturing process
Solution Approach 2:
The processor acts as an intermediary that rapidly converts bottom hole gauge pressure readings into friction pressure calculations using a pre-established mathematical model. This intermediary computational step allows the system to maintain high measurement precision while minimizing time loss, as the calculation is performed automatically and continuously without manual intervention
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 approach enables accurate prediction and real-time control of friction pressure, optimizing treatment pressures, reducing costs, and enhancing the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing operations by using calibrated models and data from both laboratory and field conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a bottom hole pressure gauge that provides a bottom hole gauge pressure
Implementation Method 2
calculates a wellbore friction pressure using a time-series sampling of bottom-hole gauge pressures
Data Source
AI summary
A wellbore fracturing system that includes wellbore fracturing resources coupled through a wellbore conveyance to a subterranean formation of the wellbore; The wellbore fracturing system further includes a bottom hole pressure gauge that provides a bottom hole gauge pressure, and a processor coupled to the wellbore fracturing resources and the wellbore conveyance that calculates a wellbore friction pressure using a time-series sampling of bottom-hole gauge pressures for a fracturing fluid system after a uniform fracturing fluid condition is achieved in the wellbore. Also included are methods of calculating and managing a wellbore friction pressure.