Multi-stage and multi-cluster fracturing(MMF)is a crucial technology in unconventional oil and gas development,aiming to enhance production by creating extensive fracture networks.However,achieving uniform expansion o...Multi-stage and multi-cluster fracturing(MMF)is a crucial technology in unconventional oil and gas development,aiming to enhance production by creating extensive fracture networks.However,achieving uniform expansion of multi-cluster hydraulic fractures(HFs)in MMF remains a significant challenge.Field practice has shown that the use of temporary plugging and diversion fracturing(TPDF)can promote the balanced expansion of multi-cluster HFs.This study conducted TPDF experiments using a true triaxial fracturing simulation system setting a horizontal well completion with multi-cluster jetting perforations to investigate the equilibrium initiation and extension of multi-cluster fractures.The influence of key parameters,including cluster spacing,fracturing fluid viscosity,differential stress,and fracturing fluid injection rate,on fracture initiation and propagation was systematically examined.The results indicate that while close-spaced multi-cluster fracturing significantly increases the number of HFs,it also leads to uneven extension of HFs in their propagation.In contrast,TPDF demonstrates effectiveness in mitigating uneven HF extension,increasing the number of HFs,and creating a larger stimulated reservoir volume,ultimately leading to improved oil and gas well productivity.Moreover,under conditions of high differential stress,the differential stress within the formation exerts a stronger guiding effect in HFs,which are more closely aligned with the minimum principal stress.Low-viscosity fluids facilitate rapid and extensive fracture propagation within the rock formation.High-volume fluid injection,on the other hand,more comprehensively fills the formation.Therefore,employing lowviscosity and high-volume fracturing is advantageous for the initiation and extension of multi-cluster HFs.展开更多
This study conducted temporary plugging and diversion fracturing(TPDF)experiments using a true triaxial fracturing simulation system within a laboratory setting that replicated a lab-based horizontal well completion w...This study conducted temporary plugging and diversion fracturing(TPDF)experiments using a true triaxial fracturing simulation system within a laboratory setting that replicated a lab-based horizontal well completion with multi-cluster sand jetting perforation.The effects of temporary plugging agent(TPA)particle size,TPA concentration,single-cluster perforation number and cluster number on plugging pressure,multi-fracture diversion pattern and distribution of TPAs were investigated.A combination of TPAs with small particle sizes within the fracture and large particle sizes within the segment is conducive to increasing the plugging pressure and promoting the diversion of multi-fractures.The addition of fibers can quickly achieve ultra-high pressure,but it may lead to longitudinal fractures extending along the wellbore.The temporary plugging peak pressure increases with an increase in the concentration of the TPA,reaching a peak at a certain concentration,and further increases do not significantly improve the temporary plugging peak pressure.The breaking pressure and temporary plugging peak pressure show a decreasing trend with an increase in single-cluster perforation number.A lower number of single-cluster perforations is beneficial for increasing the breaking pressure and temporary plugging peak pressure,and it has a more significant control on the propagation of multi-cluster fractures.A lower number of clusters is not conducive to increasing the total number and complexity of artificial fractures,while a higher number of clusters makes it difficult to achieve effective plugging.The TPAs within the fracture is mainly concentrated in the complex fracture areas,especially at the intersections of fractures.Meanwhile,the TPAs within the segment are primarily distributed near the perforation cluster apertures which initiated complex fractures.展开更多
Temporary plugging and diversion fracturing(TPDF)is widely used to promote the uniform and complex distribution of multi-clustered hydraulic fractures(HFs)in a horizontal well of the unconventional formations.However,...Temporary plugging and diversion fracturing(TPDF)is widely used to promote the uniform and complex distribution of multi-clustered hydraulic fractures(HFs)in a horizontal well of the unconventional formations.However,the migration behavior of temporary plugging agent(TPA),as a function of the concentration and particle size of TPA and cluster-perforation numbers,etc.,determining the effectiveness of this technique,remains unclear.Therefore,this study conducted innovatively a series of TPDF simulation experiments on transparent polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA)specimens(cubic block of 30 cm×30 cm×30 cm)to explore visually the migration behavior of TPA in multi-clustered HFs in a horizontal well.A laboratory hydraulic sandblasting perforation completion technique was implemented to simulate the multi-cluster perforations.All the distributions of wellbore,perforations,HFs,and TPA can be seen clearly inside the PMMA specimen post the experiment.The results show that there are four characteristic plugging positions for the TPA:mouth of HF,middle of HF,tip of HF,and the intersection of HFs.Small particle size TPA tends to migrate to the fracture tip for plugging,while large particle size TPA tends to plug at the fracture mouth.The migration of the TPA is influenced obviously by the morphology of the fracture wall.A smooth fracture wall is conducive to the migration of the TPA to the far end of HFs,but not conducive to generating the plugging zone and HF diversion.In contrast,a"leaf vein"fracture of rough wall is conducive to generating the plugging layer and the diversion of HFs,but not conducive to the migration of the TPA to the far end of HFs.The migration ability of TPA in a"shell"pattern is intermediate between the two above cases.Increasing TPA concentration can encourage TPA to migrate more quickly to the characteristic plugging position,and thereby to promote the creation of effective plugging and subsequently the multi-stage diversion of the HFs.Nevertheless,excessive concentration may cause the TPA to settle prematurely,affecting the propagation of the HFs to the far end.Increasing the number of clusters to a certain extent can encourage TPA to migrate into the HFs and form plugging,and promote the diversion.An evaluation system for the migration ability of granular TPA has been established,and it was calculated that when there is no plugging expectation target,the comprehensive migration ability of small particle size TPA is stronger than that of large particle size TPA.This research provides theoretical foundation for the optimization of temporary plugging parameters.展开更多
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 experim...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.展开更多
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52104046).
文摘Multi-stage and multi-cluster fracturing(MMF)is a crucial technology in unconventional oil and gas development,aiming to enhance production by creating extensive fracture networks.However,achieving uniform expansion of multi-cluster hydraulic fractures(HFs)in MMF remains a significant challenge.Field practice has shown that the use of temporary plugging and diversion fracturing(TPDF)can promote the balanced expansion of multi-cluster HFs.This study conducted TPDF experiments using a true triaxial fracturing simulation system setting a horizontal well completion with multi-cluster jetting perforations to investigate the equilibrium initiation and extension of multi-cluster fractures.The influence of key parameters,including cluster spacing,fracturing fluid viscosity,differential stress,and fracturing fluid injection rate,on fracture initiation and propagation was systematically examined.The results indicate that while close-spaced multi-cluster fracturing significantly increases the number of HFs,it also leads to uneven extension of HFs in their propagation.In contrast,TPDF demonstrates effectiveness in mitigating uneven HF extension,increasing the number of HFs,and creating a larger stimulated reservoir volume,ultimately leading to improved oil and gas well productivity.Moreover,under conditions of high differential stress,the differential stress within the formation exerts a stronger guiding effect in HFs,which are more closely aligned with the minimum principal stress.Low-viscosity fluids facilitate rapid and extensive fracture propagation within the rock formation.High-volume fluid injection,on the other hand,more comprehensively fills the formation.Therefore,employing lowviscosity and high-volume fracturing is advantageous for the initiation and extension of multi-cluster HFs.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(51974332).
文摘This study conducted temporary plugging and diversion fracturing(TPDF)experiments using a true triaxial fracturing simulation system within a laboratory setting that replicated a lab-based horizontal well completion with multi-cluster sand jetting perforation.The effects of temporary plugging agent(TPA)particle size,TPA concentration,single-cluster perforation number and cluster number on plugging pressure,multi-fracture diversion pattern and distribution of TPAs were investigated.A combination of TPAs with small particle sizes within the fracture and large particle sizes within the segment is conducive to increasing the plugging pressure and promoting the diversion of multi-fractures.The addition of fibers can quickly achieve ultra-high pressure,but it may lead to longitudinal fractures extending along the wellbore.The temporary plugging peak pressure increases with an increase in the concentration of the TPA,reaching a peak at a certain concentration,and further increases do not significantly improve the temporary plugging peak pressure.The breaking pressure and temporary plugging peak pressure show a decreasing trend with an increase in single-cluster perforation number.A lower number of single-cluster perforations is beneficial for increasing the breaking pressure and temporary plugging peak pressure,and it has a more significant control on the propagation of multi-cluster fractures.A lower number of clusters is not conducive to increasing the total number and complexity of artificial fractures,while a higher number of clusters makes it difficult to achieve effective plugging.The TPAs within the fracture is mainly concentrated in the complex fracture areas,especially at the intersections of fractures.Meanwhile,the TPAs within the segment are primarily distributed near the perforation cluster apertures which initiated complex fractures.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Joint Fund for Enterprise Innovation and Development,Enrichment Mechanism and Stereoscopic Development of Shale Oil in Continental Rift Basins(No.U24B6002).
文摘Temporary plugging and diversion fracturing(TPDF)is widely used to promote the uniform and complex distribution of multi-clustered hydraulic fractures(HFs)in a horizontal well of the unconventional formations.However,the migration behavior of temporary plugging agent(TPA),as a function of the concentration and particle size of TPA and cluster-perforation numbers,etc.,determining the effectiveness of this technique,remains unclear.Therefore,this study conducted innovatively a series of TPDF simulation experiments on transparent polymethyl methacrylate(PMMA)specimens(cubic block of 30 cm×30 cm×30 cm)to explore visually the migration behavior of TPA in multi-clustered HFs in a horizontal well.A laboratory hydraulic sandblasting perforation completion technique was implemented to simulate the multi-cluster perforations.All the distributions of wellbore,perforations,HFs,and TPA can be seen clearly inside the PMMA specimen post the experiment.The results show that there are four characteristic plugging positions for the TPA:mouth of HF,middle of HF,tip of HF,and the intersection of HFs.Small particle size TPA tends to migrate to the fracture tip for plugging,while large particle size TPA tends to plug at the fracture mouth.The migration of the TPA is influenced obviously by the morphology of the fracture wall.A smooth fracture wall is conducive to the migration of the TPA to the far end of HFs,but not conducive to generating the plugging zone and HF diversion.In contrast,a"leaf vein"fracture of rough wall is conducive to generating the plugging layer and the diversion of HFs,but not conducive to the migration of the TPA to the far end of HFs.The migration ability of TPA in a"shell"pattern is intermediate between the two above cases.Increasing TPA concentration can encourage TPA to migrate more quickly to the characteristic plugging position,and thereby to promote the creation of effective plugging and subsequently the multi-stage diversion of the HFs.Nevertheless,excessive concentration may cause the TPA to settle prematurely,affecting the propagation of the HFs to the far end.Increasing the number of clusters to a certain extent can encourage TPA to migrate into the HFs and form plugging,and promote the diversion.An evaluation system for the migration ability of granular TPA has been established,and it was calculated that when there is no plugging expectation target,the comprehensive migration ability of small particle size TPA is stronger than that of large particle size TPA.This research provides theoretical foundation for the optimization of temporary plugging parameters.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (U21A20105)Science and Technology Innovation Fund of PetroChina (2020D-5007-0208)。
文摘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.
