Plugging behaviors of temporary plugging particles in hydraulic fractures

Using the visualized experimental device of temporary plugging in hydraulic fractures, the plugging behaviors of temporary plugging particles with different sizes and concentrations in hydraulic fractures were experimentally analyzed under the conditions of different carrier fluid displacements and viscosities. The results show that the greater the carrier fluid viscosity and displacement, the more difficult it is to form a plugging layer, and that the larger the size and concentration of the temporary plugging particle, the less difficult it is to form a plugging layer. When the ratio of particle size to fracture width is 0.45, the formation of the plugging layer is mainly controlled by the mass concentration of the temporary plugging particle and the viscosity of the carrier fluid, and a stable plugging layer cannot form if the mass concentration of the temporary plugging particle is less than 20 kg/m^(3)or the viscosity of the carrier fluid is greater than 3 mPa·s. When the ratio of particle size to fracture width is 0.60, the formation of the plugging layer is mainly controlled by the mass concentration of the temporary plugging particle, and a stable plugging layer cannot form if the mass concentration of the temporary plugging particle is less than 10 kg/m^(3). When the ratio of particle size to fracture width is 0.75, the formation of the plugging layer is basically not affected by other parameters, and a stable plugging layer can form within the experimental conditions. The formation process of plugging layer includes two stages and four modes. The main controlling factors affecting the formation mode are the ratio of particle size to fracture width, carrier fluid displacement and carrier fluid viscosity.

Complex fracture propagation model and plugging timing optimization for temporary plugging fracturing in naturally fractured shale

In this paper,a viscoelasticity-plastic damage constitutive equation for naturally fractured shale is deduced,coupling nonlinear tensile-shear mixed fracture mode.Dynamic perforation-erosion on fluid re-distribution among multi-clusters are considered as well.DFN-FEM(discrete fracture network combined with finite element method)was developed to simulate the multi-cluster complex fractures propagation within temporary plugging fracturing(TPF).Numerical results are matched with field injection and micro-seismic monitoring data.Based on geomechanical characteristics of Weiyuan deep shale gas reservoir in Sichuan Basin,SW China,a multi-cluster complex fractures propagation model is built for TPF.To study complex fractures propagation and the permeability-enhanced region evolution,intersecting and competition mechanisms between the fractures before and after TPF treatment are revealed.Simulation results show that:fracture from middle cluster is restricted by the fractures from side-clusters,and side-clusters plugging is benefit for multi fractures propagation in uniformity;optimized TPF timing should be delayed within a higher density or strike of natural fractures;Within a reservoir-featured natural fractures distribution,optimized TPF timing for most clustered method is 2/3 of total fluid injection time as the optimal plugging time under different clustering modes.

Development of degradable pre-formed particle gel(DPPG)as temporary plugging agent for petroleum drilling and production

Temporary plugging agent(TPA)is widely used in many fields of petroleum reservoir drilling and production,such as temporary plugging while drilling and petroleum well stimulation by diverting in acidizing or fracturing operations.The commonly used TPA mainly includes hard particles,fibers,gels,and composite systems.However,current particles have many limitations in applications,such as insufficient plugging strength and slow degradation rate.In this paper,a degradable pre-formed particle gel(DPPG)was developed.Experimental results show that the DPPG has an excellent static swelling effect and self-degradation performance.With a decrease in the concentration of total monomers or cross-linker,the swelling volume of the synthesized DPPG gradually increases.However,the entire self-degradation time gradually decreases.The increase in 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid(AMPS)in the DPPG composition can significantly increase its swelling ratio and shorten the self-degradation time.Moreover,DPPG has excellent high-temperature resistance(150°C)and high-salinity resistance(200,000 mg/L NaCl).Core displacement results show that the DPPG has a perfect plugging effect in the porous media(the plugging pressure gradient was as high as 21.12 MPa),and the damage to the formation after degradation is incredibly minor.Therefore,the DPPG can be used as an up-and-coming TPA in oil fields.

Numerical investigation of refracturing with/without temporarily plugging diverters in tight reservoirs

Refracturing is an importa nt technique to tap the potential of reservoirs and boost production in depleted oil and gas fields.However,fracture propagation during refracturing,including both conventional refracturing and temporary-plugging refracturing remains poorly understood,especially for cases with non-uniform distribution of formation pressure due to long-term oil production and water injection.Therefore,taking pilot tests of refracturing with sidetracking horizontal wells in tight reservoirs in the Changqing Oilfield,China as an example,we establish a three-dimensional numerical model of conventional refracturing and a numerical model of temporary-plugging refracturing based on the discrete lattice method.Non-uniform distributions of formation pressure are imported in these models.We discuss the effects of key operating parameters such as injection rate,cluster spacing,and number of clusters on the propagation of multi-cluster fractures for conventional refracturing.For temporaryplugging refracturing,we examine the impacts of controlling factors such as the timing and number of temporary plugging on fracture propagation.In addition,we analyze a field case of temporaryplugging refracturing using well P3 in the Changqing Oilfield.The results show that fractures during re fracturing tend to propagate preferentially and dominantly in the depleted areas.Improved stimulation effect can be obtained with an optimal injection rate and a critical cluster spacing.The proposed model of temporary-plugging refracturing can well describe the temporary plugging of dominant existingfractures and the creation of new-fractures after fracturing fluid is forced to divert into other clusters from previous dominant clusters.Multiple temporary plugging can improve the balanced propagation of multi-cluster fractures and obtain the maximum fracture area.The established numerical model and research results provide theoretical guidance for the design and optimization of key operating parameters for refracturing,especially for temporary-plugging refracturing.

A bull-heading water control technique of thermo-sensitive temporary plugging agent

Aimed at the disadvantages of secondary damage to oil layers caused by the conventional bull-heading water control technique, a thermo-sensitive temporary plugging agent for water control was synthesized by water solution polymerization and applied in the field with a new secondary temporary plugging technique. The optimization and performance evaluation of thermo-sensitive temporary plugging agent were carried out through laboratory experiments. The optimized formula is as follows:(6%-8%) acrylamide +(0.08%-0.12%) ammonium persulfate +(1.5%-2.0%) sepiolite +(0.5%-0.8%) polyethylene glycol diacrylate. The thermo-sensitive temporary plugging agent is suitable for formation temperatures of 70-90 ?C, it has high temporary plugging strength(5-40 k Pa), controllable degradation time(1-15 d), the apparent viscosity after degradation of less than 100 m Pa?S and the permeability recovery value of simulated cores of more than 95%. Based on the research results, secondary temporary plugging technique was used in a horizontal well in the Jidong Oilfield. After treatment, the well saw a drop of water cut to 27%, and now it has a water cut of 67%, its daily increased oil production was 4.8 t, and the cumulative oil increment was 750 t, demonstrating that the technique worked well in controlling water production and increasing oil production.

A new method of temporary plugging based on andreasen equation

Based on the fractal nature of pore size in sandstone and grindingbody within a certain range and the Andreasen equation in theory, using the optimization theory of traditional tem- porary plugging agent for reference, we established a new temporary plugging method for reservoir protection. This new method emphasizes on the formulation and optimization of solid filling particles and softening particles. It is good in easy operation and strong applicability. Indoor experiments with the natural core from Hailaer area were conducted using this new method. Compared with traditional methods, the filtration reduced significantly and the permeability recovery was improved greatly, which verified the rationality of this new method.

Degradable preformed particle gel as temporary plugging agent for low-temperature unconventional petroleum reservoirs:Effect of molecular weight of the cross-linking agent

The development of unconventional petroleum resources has gradually become an important succession for increasing oil production.However,the related engineers and researchers are paying more and more attention to the application of temporary plugging agents(TPAs)for their efficient development.TPAs can expand the stimulated reservoir volume(SRV)and facilitate the flow of oil and gas to the bottom of the well.Particle-gels used as temporary plugging agents have the characteristics of the simple injection process,good deformation,high plugging strength,and complete self-degradation performance,which have been widely applied in recent years.In this paper,five samples of DPPG polymerized by different molecular weights of cross-linking agents were prepared.In addition,infrared spectroscopy analysis,differential calorimetry scanning(DSC)analysis,static particle gel swelling and degradation performance evaluation experiments,and dynamic temporary plugging performance experiments in cores were conducted at 34°C.Results show that as the molecular weight of the cross-linking agent(at 0.01 g)in the DPPG molecule decreased from 1,000 to 200 Da,the fewer cross-linking sites of DPPG,the looser the microscopic three-dimensional mesh structure formed.The swelling ratio increased from 7 to 33 times.However,the complete degradation time increased from 40 to 210 min.Moreover,the DSC results confirmed that the higher the molecular weight of the cross-linking agent,the worse is chemical stability and the more prone it to self-degradation.DPPG samples had good temporary plugging performance in reservoir cores.DPPGs prepared by the cross-linking agent with smaller molecular weight has a stronger swelling ratio,higher gel strength,and greater plugging strength in the core permeabilities.Moreover,the degraded DPPG is less damaging to the cores.However,their slower degradation rates take a slightly longer times to reach complete degradation.The results of this paper can provide new ideas and a theoretical basis for the development of particle gel-type temporary plugging agents(TPA)with controllable degradation time in low-temperature reservoirs.It can help to expand the application range of existing DPPG reservoir conditions.

基于坐封受力模型的暂堵球封堵效果影响因素与参数优化

暂堵球在射孔孔眼及压裂裂缝中的坐封状态影响其封堵稳定性,暂堵球封堵效果决定暂堵转向压裂技术的成败。通过建立暂堵球坐封受力计算模型,研究了压裂液排量、密度、暂堵球及孔眼参数对暂堵球坐封受力状态及其封堵效率的影响,实验模拟了不同射孔参数、压裂排量及暂堵球/压裂液性能对封堵效果的影响。结果表明:暂堵球受拖拽力、脱离力及持球力随压裂液排量的增加而增大,暂堵球更易坐封;压裂液及暂堵球密度对暂堵球坐封封堵效率影响不大;暂堵球粒径大于孔眼直径时,暂堵球坐封封堵效率随粒径增加而增大,当暂堵球直径小于孔眼直径时,暂堵球不容易坐封;射孔孔眼数增加影响暂堵球坐封封堵效率。实验评价暂堵球最佳直径为9.0 mm,最佳泵送排量大于4.0 m^(3)/min时,有助于提高暂堵球坐封成功率,增强暂堵压裂设计的可靠性。

改性聚乙醇酸暂堵剂研发及其在河南油田的应用

酸溶性暂堵剂对地层伤害较大,解堵较麻烦,油溶性暂堵剂不适合高含水的油层;河南油田低渗透油藏地层温度为50~120℃,注水驱油见水快,常规水溶性聚乙醇酸暂堵剂和聚乳酸暂堵剂水解温度大于80℃,不能完全满足低渗透油藏暂堵压裂的需求。结合颗粒类水溶性聚乙醇酸暂堵剂和聚乳酸暂堵剂的特性和暂堵原理,采用催化剂和抑制剂使聚乙醇酸和聚乳酸发生酯化反应,生成聚乙醇酸和聚乳酸融合物,再加入成核剂及结晶促进剂,可得到改性聚乙醇酸暂堵剂。经测试,改性聚乙醇酸暂堵剂在50~120℃温度下具有常规聚乙醇酸暂堵剂的溶解性能和暂堵强度;当改性聚乙醇酸暂堵剂的总用量占比达到18%、粗粒径与细粒径质量配比接近1:1时,其封堵强度大于40 MPa,暂堵性能良好。现场试验7井次,加入改性聚乙醇酸暂堵剂后,单井施工压力最高增加了6.1 MPa,日增油5.3 t,取得了明显的增油效果。

非常规致密油储层压裂增能一体化技术分析

针对试验区非常规致密油储层常规缝网压裂改造体积有限,压后递减快、稳产差,采出程度低的问题,采用压裂增能一体化工艺,从平衡压力、提高缝控体积及保持能量入手,总结出“补、压、闷、控”的技术思路,通过前置补充能量、增大裂缝与储层接触面积、闷井扩散压力、控制返排等方式,达到压裂增能一体化的目的。现场实施效果表明,采用多级暂堵技术改造体积提高1倍以上,闷井扩散25~30d,无效返排率降低近15个百分点,达到了入井液保持地层能量的目的。与以往单井缝网压裂、整体缝网压裂相比,增油强度分别提高0.27t/(d·m)、0.34t/(d·m);压后前3个月平均单井日增油3.0t,是同期甜点压裂和整体压裂的1.2倍和1.8倍,提产效果显著。结合现场实施及效果分析,优化完善参数设计,形成压裂增能一体化设计原则。

致密砂岩气藏暂堵压裂裂缝起裂扩展实验模拟

针对鄂尔多斯盆地SD区块盒8段储层低孔低渗、非均质性强、常规压裂裂缝形态单一等问题,基于断裂力学理论,考虑缝内流体压降,结合盒8段储层岩石力学参数,开展暂堵压裂裂缝与初次压裂裂缝在整个接触过程中的相互作用力学研究。计算分析了不同裂缝走向、井斜角、方位角等参数对压裂裂缝参数的影响规律,起裂压力随井斜角和方位角的增加而减小;起裂角随井斜角增加而减小直至为0°,随方位角先增加而后减小。通过制备人工水泥试样,利用大尺寸真三轴物模实验系统模拟了暂堵压裂中新缝起裂及其转向行为,评价了不同井斜角、方位角下新缝起裂、转向及延伸行为和起裂压力及裂缝改造面积等参数。实验结果表明:井斜角增大,初次及二次起裂压力呈减小的趋势,裂缝更易转向且改造面积越大。井斜角相同时,裂缝起裂压力随井筒方位角增加而逐渐减小,裂缝改造面积随方位角增加而增大。方位角90°螺旋射孔相比方位角0°螺旋射孔形成的裂缝更为复杂,定面射孔可调控水平井破裂压力及初始破裂位置,初始破裂产生于射孔井筒界面、孔道中部等不同位置,控制射孔射角介于75°~90°。研究结果为低渗透致密砂岩气藏暂堵压裂设计提供了依据。

低温转向压裂自降解暂堵颗粒的制备与性能评价研究

为解决低温致密油藏储层转向压裂暂堵剂的降解问题,通过溶液聚合法以丙烯酸、丙烯酰胺、PA-1交联剂和过硫酸铵引发剂制备了适用于低温致密油藏转向压裂的自降解凝胶颗粒暂堵剂,评价了凝胶颗粒的吸水性能和降解性能。同时采用单因素变量法研究了丙烯酰胺、丙烯酸、交联剂、引发剂和矿化度对凝胶颗粒性能的影响,研究了暂堵颗粒的封堵性能。结果表明,凝胶颗粒的吸水倍数为82倍,降解时间为3~6 d,通过调节配方组分可以调节暂堵剂的吸水倍数和降解时间,同时该暂堵剂具有较强的封堵能力,封堵率为99.81%,耐压20.66 MPa。注入水体积为20 PV时,封堵率仍能保持95%以上,暂堵剂可满足低温施工作业要求。

不同岩性储层裂缝封堵规律实验

明确不同岩性储层裂缝封堵规律对提高暂堵压裂成功率至关重要。通过井下全直径取心、劈裂造缝、激光扫描和3D打印,制作了不同岩性储层水力裂缝模型,并基于自主研发的高承压裂缝封堵系统,开展了裂缝封堵实验,获取裂缝封堵体和泵注曲线。结果表明:1)缝宽为1 mm时,使用小粒径颗粒和粉末可实现砾岩、砂岩和火山岩裂缝缝内有效封堵,封堵速度快、稳定性高;2)缝宽不大于4 mm,砂岩和火山岩裂缝存在多点封堵现象,封堵体需反复突破与重构;3)缝宽大于4 mm,砾岩裂缝内纤维与颗粒可高效架桥封堵,砂岩和火山岩裂缝内需纤维累计挂壁达到一定量之后,才能实现颗粒架桥;4)砾岩储层裂缝封堵最快,砂岩储层裂缝封堵用液量约为同缝宽砾岩储层裂缝的2倍。

多级暂堵诱导分支缝开启规律

缝内多级暂堵是提高缝内净压力,激活侧向分支缝,增大侧向改造带宽,提升层内油气动用程度的有效手段之一。研究缝内多级暂堵转向规律对指导优化暂堵方案至关重要,其难点是建立缝内暂堵模拟方法。针对裂缝性超低渗储层,基于等效黏度方法,建立了缝内多级暂堵数值模型,系统研究了逼近角、应力差、暂堵次数对分支缝开启的影响规律,研究结果表明:当水平应力差≥5 MPa且逼近角较大(≥60°)时,水力裂缝倾向于穿过天然裂缝,沿当前方向扩展,无法激活天然裂缝;水平应力差≤5 MPa时且逼近角较小(≤30°)时,水力裂缝遇到天然裂缝后能够开启钝角分支;缝内初次暂堵能够有效开启高逼近角下一级分支缝,缝内二次暂堵能够开启二级分支缝;采用缝内多级暂堵能够提高单井最高日产油量至2倍,平均日产油量提升至3倍。本文研究成果对缝内多级暂堵压裂设计奠定了模型和方法基础。

页岩气水平井暂堵坐封机制与可控暂堵压裂工艺

水平井暂堵转向压裂技术是页岩气增产的关键技术之一。文中采用流体动力学软件FLUENT与离散元方法(DEM)相结合的数值建模方法,研究了水平井暂堵转向压裂技术中暂堵球在井筒中的运移规律以及颗粒间的相互作用。通过建立DEM-DDPM耦合模型发现,施工排量、暂堵球密度、暂堵球直径和压裂液黏度是影响暂堵球坐封效果的主要因素。模拟结果表明:当施工排量在4~6 m^(3)/min时,暂堵球的密度小于或等于流体密度;射孔炮眼磨蚀率在6.15%以内可以有效提高封堵效率;同时,随着压裂液黏度的增加,封堵效率先升后降。该研究结果对于优化水平井压裂暂堵球用量以及施工工艺具有重要的理论意义和指导价值。

转向压裂暂堵剂的研究与应用进展

将油田转向压裂用暂堵剂进行了梳理分类,运用统计方法分析了近年来暂堵剂研究成果,提出普适性较强的暂堵剂的评价指标。比较分析了各种暂堵剂的性能,介绍了暂堵剂的应用发展现状和各类暂堵剂的优缺点,并对暂堵剂的发展方向提出见解。

基于光纤监测的段内多簇暂堵方案优化

为了实现段内簇间均匀改造,需要对优势进液簇进行暂堵。目前主要根据室内暂堵试验制定暂堵方案,但室内暂堵试验条件与实际压裂工况有一定差距,导致暂堵效果不理想。为给段内多簇压裂暂堵方案优化提供依据,优选新疆油田一口水平井(A井),针对5个压裂段设计了12套暂堵方案,利用管外光纤监测技术监测段内各射孔簇在暂堵前后进液量的变化,据此判断暂堵效果。A井实施12套暂堵方案后,未监测到簇间转向分流现象,说明暂堵无效。分析导致暂堵无效的原因为:暂堵球直径与孔眼直径不匹配;孔眼朝向具有随机性,高边孔眼难以封堵;为避免射孔刺断光纤,选用了圆形通孔的破裂盘,但对暂堵球封堵孔眼不利。为此,提出了暂堵方案改进措施:采用直径与孔眼直径相同的暂堵球封堵孔眼,并添加纤维和小粒径暂堵剂或采用绳结暂堵剂;进行定向射孔,射低边孔;采用锥形孔的破裂盘。

页岩水平井多簇喷砂射孔暂堵转向压裂裂缝扩展规律

采用真三轴压裂模拟系统开展了页岩水平井多簇喷砂射孔暂堵转向压裂模拟实验,研究了暂堵剂粒径、暂堵剂浓度、单簇射孔数和簇数对封堵提压、多裂缝转向规律及暂堵剂分布的影响。结果表明:缝内小粒径组合+段内大粒径组合暂堵剂有利于提高封堵压力并促进裂缝多期性转向,添加纤维的组合可快速憋压至超高,但易产生沿着井筒扩展的纵向缝;暂堵峰值压力随暂堵剂浓度的增加而提升,但暂堵剂浓度达到一定值后,进一步增加暂堵剂浓度并不能显著提高暂堵峰值压力;岩样破裂压力和暂堵峰值压力随单簇射孔数增加呈下降趋势,较少的单簇射孔数有利于提高破裂压力及暂堵峰值压力,对多簇裂缝扩展的控制作用更显著;较少的簇数不利于人工裂缝总数及复杂程度的提升,较多的簇数难以实现有效封堵。缝内暂堵时暂堵剂主要分布在复杂裂缝区域,特别是多裂缝相交处,而段内暂堵时暂堵剂优先分布于形成复杂缝的射孔簇孔眼附近。

韩城区块煤层气井顶板控底重复压裂技术研究与应用

针对鄂尔多斯盆地韩城区块碎软煤层气老井采用常规重复压裂技术效果不佳的难题,以X井为研究对象,分析了初次压裂改造效果及剩余气产能特征,结合二次加砂与顶板压裂,提出顶板控底重复压裂技术。利用实验与数值模拟软件优化施工参数,优选100目石英砂控底并暂堵老缝、40/70目+20/40目石英砂支撑新缝的三级加砂工艺,优化射孔位置为距煤层顶部3~5 m,施工排量为9 m^(3)/min,平均加砂比例为9%,形成增大储层改造体积、提高储层动用程度的顶板控底重复压裂技术。在X井进行现场试验,重复压裂后新增产气量268.1万m^(3),累计应用18口井,平均单井日产气量增加1 210.42 m^(3),有效解决了碎软煤层气老井重复压裂改造效果差的问题,可以满足煤层气老井二次开发及压裂作业降本增效的需求,具有良好的推广应用价值。

松辽盆地致密气藏暂堵转向压裂裂缝扩展规律研究

松辽盆地致密气藏是深层天然气勘探开发的重要领域,由于气藏埋藏深(3000~5500 m)、低孔、低渗,天然裂缝欠发育,压力差值大(8~12 MPa),常规压裂裂缝形态单一,储层改造体积小,产量低,因此实现深部致密气藏人工裂缝复杂化,是提高改造效果的主攻方向。通过真三轴压裂模拟系统开展松辽盆地致密气藏井下全直径岩心暂堵转向压裂模拟实验,论证暂堵转向压裂形成复杂裂缝的可行性,评价致密气藏储层在不同粒径砾石情况下,水力压裂裂缝起裂扩展与暂堵转向特征。结果表明,致密气藏在两向应力差值高的情况下,压裂后形成双侧对称单一裂缝,采用暂堵转向压裂后,裂缝复杂程度大幅度提高,裂缝形态复杂化。粒径大的砾石致使水力裂缝局部迂曲,围绕砾石形成大量剪切微裂缝,裂缝形态更为复杂,不含砾石岩样整体裂缝形态复杂性低于含砾石岩样。