Enhanced Real-time Propellant Activation during Downhole-mixed Fracture Stimulation Process for Low-permeability

Enhanced fracture stimulation processes are generally used in the petroleum industry to increase the recovery of hydrocarbon reserves. In the in the United States in particular, more efficient and cost-effective reservoir fracturing treatments are needed to enhance the recovery of oil and natural gas in those stripper wells that are characterized by low-permeability reservoirs. Proposed is a well test project comprising the development and field-testing of a novel fracture stimulation that utilizes a chemicallyinduced in situ fracturing process that is combined with hydraulic fracturing stimulation to maximize reservoir fracture propagation. Proposed is the research and development of a down-hole blending mixture of propellants and various oxidizers that are pumped separately (and safely) down the wellbore for reaction and generation of secondary fracturing energy in the hydraulically induced reservoir fracture. With the proposed process, various propellants may be pumped down the casing for admixture with oxidizers to generate secondary fractures to augment the fractures created by hydraulic fracturing, which theoretically should result in greater fracture length extension and significantly enhanced hydrocarbon flow to the wellbore. Proposed are the admixture of propellants and oxidizers, including encapsulated or time-delay propellants and activators, concurrent with NETLRealtimeZone’s patented downhole-mixed stimulation process, whereby one stimulation component is pumped down the casing while the second stimulation fluid (energizing gases and/or proppants may be included in either fluid) is pumped down the tubing and thereby blended down-hole to form, in real-time, a composite fracturing fluid prior to entry into the reservoir fracture. Encapsulated or otherwise time-delayed chemical reactions may be used to facilitate placement of the propellants further into the reservoir formation, prior to reaction. This simple well completion system is safely and easily utilized at the well site and enables dramatic improvements in reserve recovery efficiency, safety, and cost savings. This proposed project would be field tested initially in a stripper well with a low permeability reservoir in the Permian Basin, however, success of this proposed novel fracturing technique would prove up numerous applications in other lower permeability oil and natural gas stripper reservoirs in geographic basins throughout the United States, and ultimately worldwide. The cost savings and value of enhanced reserve recoveries that could be provided by widespread industry application of this technology are potentially substantial. Deliverable work product would include a patent application related to this project, which if commercialized would be widely licensed to all interested stimulation service providers.