Patent · US Active

Optimizing proppant placement for fracturing operations

US11401793B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
1References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 29, 2018
Grant dateAug 2, 2022
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 29, 2038

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
  • CPC primaryE21B2200/20
  • WIPO fieldCivil engineering
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

System and methods of optimizing proppant placement for stimulation treatments are provided. Properties of a reservoir formation and a treatment fluid to be injected into the formation are determined for a multistage stimulation treatment to be performed along a wellbore drilled within the formation. A proppant transport model uses the properties to determine a proppant profile for a fractured area of the formation for each treatment stage along the wellbore. A proppant pack conductivity for each stage is determined based on a proppant conductivity model and the proppant profile for that stage. A rate of hydrocarbon production expected from the wellbore is estimated based on a well production model and the proppant pack conductivity. A distribution of proppant to be injected into the formation during the treatment is determined, based on the production rate and one or more constraints. The stimulation treatment is performed based on the determined proppant distribution.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.