Energy-Efficient Fracturing Based on Stress-Coupled Perforation

TL;DR

This paper introduces a stress-coupled perforation technology that optimizes hydraulic fracturing by reducing energy consumption and emissions, using a mathematical model and real-time simulation to improve efficiency.

Contribution

It develops a novel stress-coupled perforation method with a mathematical model and optimization framework to enhance hydraulic fracturing efficiency and reduce energy use.

Findings

Energy consumption reduced by 37% with the new technology

Successfully applied in Jiyang Depression reservoir stimulation

Improved energy utilization and lowered carbon emissions

Abstract

Hydraulic fracturing is one of the key technologies for reservoir stimulation in low-permeability/unconventional oil and gas fields. In response to the high energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions caused by extreme flow-limiting perforation in hydraulic fracturing, stress-coupled perforation technology has been proposed to promote low-energy consumption and high efficiency in artificial fracturing. Based on the stress distribution in perforation hole and fracture propagation mechanism, a mathematical model for fracture propagation was established based on linear elastic fracture mechanics theory. Taking into account rock mechanical parameters, tensile effects at the crack tip, stress on both sides of the main crack and fracturing parameters, the real-time stress distribution and fracturing energy consumption were calculated using Monte Carlo random method and Newton's iterative method. With the unit fracture area energy consumption, total fracture area, and fracture uniformity as objective functions, the number and diameter of perforation holes were fully coupled and optimized. The developed simulator balances the calculation efficiency and accuracy of multiple fracture propagation. The study shows that under the condition of the same reservoir fracture volume, stress-coupled perforation technology will reduce energy consumption by 37%. This technology has been successfully applied to the reservoir stimulation of Fan Ye 1 well horizontal well in Jiyang Depression, improving the energy utilization efficiency of hydraulic fracturing and reducing carbon emissions.