Pipeline isolation plugging robot (PIPR) is an important tool in pipeline maintenance operation. During the plugging process, the violent vibration will occur by the flow field, which can cause serious damage to the p...Pipeline isolation plugging robot (PIPR) is an important tool in pipeline maintenance operation. During the plugging process, the violent vibration will occur by the flow field, which can cause serious damage to the pipeline and PIPR. In this paper, we propose a dynamic regulating strategy to reduce the plugging-induced vibration by regulating the spoiler angle and plugging velocity. Firstly, the dynamic plugging simulation and experiment are performed to study the flow field changes during dynamic plugging. And the pressure difference is proposed to evaluate the degree of flow field vibration. Secondly, the mathematical models of pressure difference with plugging states and spoiler angles are established based on the extreme learning machine (ELM) optimized by improved sparrow search algorithm (ISSA). Finally, a modified Q-learning algorithm based on simulated annealing is applied to determine the optimal strategy for the spoiler angle and plugging velocity in real time. The results show that the proposed method can reduce the plugging-induced vibration by 19.9% and 32.7% on average, compared with single-regulating methods. This study can effectively ensure the stability of the plugging process.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
A coupled CFD-DEM method is used to simulate the formation process of fracture plugging zone.A photo-elastic system characterizing mesoscale force chain network developed by our own is used to model the pressure evolu...A coupled CFD-DEM method is used to simulate the formation process of fracture plugging zone.A photo-elastic system characterizing mesoscale force chain network developed by our own is used to model the pressure evolution in fracture plugging zone to reveal the evolution mechanism of the structure of fracture plugging zone.A theoretical basis is provided for improving the lost circulation control effect in fractured reservoirs and novel methods are proposed for selecting loss control materials and designing loss control formula.CFD-DEM simulation results show that bridging probability is the key factor determining the formation of fracture plugging zone and fracture plugging efficiency.Critical and absolute bridging concentrations are proposed as the key indexes for loss control formula design.With the increase of absolute bridging concentration,the governing factor of bridging is changed from material grain size to the combination of material grain size and friction force.Results of photo-elastic experiments show that mesoscale force chain network is the intrinsic factor affecting the evolution of pressure exerting on the fracture plugging zone and determines the macroscopic strength of fracture plugging zone.Performance parameters of loss control material affect the force chain network structure and the ratio of stronger force chain,and further impact the stability and strength of fracture plugging zone.Based on the study results,the loss control formula is optimized and new-type loss control material is designed.Laboratory experiments results show that the fracture plugging efficiency and strength is effectively improved.展开更多
Thermo-responsive nanocomposites have recently emerged as potential nanoplugging agents for shale stabilization in high-temperature water-based drilling fluids(WBDFs). However, their inhibitory properties have not bee...Thermo-responsive nanocomposites have recently emerged as potential nanoplugging agents for shale stabilization in high-temperature water-based drilling fluids(WBDFs). However, their inhibitory properties have not been very effective in high-temperature drilling operations. Thermo-responsive Janus nanocomposites are expected to strongly interact with clay particles from the inward hemisphere of nanomaterials, which drive the establishment of a tighter hydrophobic membrane over the shale surface at the outward hemisphere under geothermal conditions for shale stabilization. This work combines the synergistic benefits of thermo-responsive and zwitterionic nanomaterials to synchronously enhance the chemical inhibitions and plugging performances in shale under harsh conditions. A novel thermoresponsive Janus nanosilica(TRJS) exhibiting zwitterionic character was synthesized, characterized,and assessed as shale stabilizer for WBDFs at high temperatures. Compared to pristine nanosilica(Si NP)and symmetrical thermo-responsive nanosilica(TRS), TRJS exhibited anti-polyelectrolyte behaviour, in which electrolyte ions screened the electrostatic attraction between the charged particles, potentially stabilizing nanomaterial in hostile shaly environments(i.e., up to saturated brine or API brine). Macroscopically, TRJS exhibited higher chemical inhibition than Si NP and TRS in brine, prompting a better capability to control pressure penetration. TRJS adsorbed onto the clay surface via chemisorption and hydrogen bonding, and the interactions became substantial in brine, according to the results of electrophoretic mobility, surface wettability, and X-ray diffraction. Thus, contributing to the firm trapping of TRJS into the nanopore structure of the shale, triggering the formation of a tight hydrophobic membrane over the shale surface from the outward hemisphere. The addition of TRJS into WBDF had no deleterious effect on fluid properties after hot-treatment at 190℃, implying that TRJS could find potential use as a shale stabilizer in WBDFs in hostile environments.展开更多
Lost circulation, a recurring peril during drilling operations, entails substantial loss of drilling fluid and dire consequences upon its infiltration into the formation. As drilling depth escalates, the formation tem...Lost circulation, a recurring peril during drilling operations, entails substantial loss of drilling fluid and dire consequences upon its infiltration into the formation. As drilling depth escalates, the formation temperature and pressure intensify, imposing exacting demands on plug materials. In this study, a kind of controllable curing resin with dense cross-network structure was prepared by the method of solution stepwise ring-opening polymerization. The resin plugging material investigated in this study is a continuous phase material that offers effortless injection, robust filling capabilities, exceptional retention, and underground curing or crosslinking with high strength. Its versatility is not constrained by fracture-cavity lose channels, making it suitable for fulfilling the essential needs of various fracture-cavity combinations when plugging fracture-cavity carbonate rocks. Notably, the curing duration can be fine-tuned within the span of 3-7 h, catering to the plugging of drilling fluid losing of diverse fracture dimensions. Experimental scrutiny encompassed the rheological properties and curing behavior of the resin plugging system, unraveling the intricacies of the curing process and establishing a cogent kinetic model. The experimental results show that the urea-formaldehyde resin plugging material has a tight chain or network structure. When the concentration of the urea-formaldehyde resin plugging system solution remains below 30%, the viscosity clocks in at a meager 10 mPa·s. Optimum curing transpires at 60℃, showcasing impressive resilience to saline conditions. Remarkably, when immersed in a composite saltwater environment containing 50000 mg/L NaCl and 100000 mg/L CaCl_(2), the urea-formaldehyde resin consolidates into an even more compact network structure, culminating in an outstanding compressive strength of 41.5 MPa. Through resolving the correlation between conversion and the apparent activation energy of the non-isothermal DSC curing reaction parameters, the study attests to the fulfillment of the kinetic equation for the urea-formaldehyde resin plugging system. This discerning analysis illuminates the nuanced shifts in the microscopic reaction mechanism of the urea-formaldehyde resin plugging system. Furthermore, the pressure bearing plugging capacity of the resin plugging system for fractures of different sizes is also studied. It is found that the resin plugging system can effectively resident in parallel and wedge-shaped fractures of different sizes, and form high-strength consolidation under certain temperature conditions. The maximum plugging pressure of resin plugging system for parallel fractures with outlet size 3 mm can reach 9.92 MPa, and the maximum plugging pressure for wedge-shaped fractures with outlet size 5 mm can reach 9.90 MPa. Consequently, the exploration and application of urea-formaldehyde resin plugging material precipitate a paradigm shift, proffering novel concepts and methodologies in resolving the practical quandaries afflicting drilling fluid plugging.展开更多
Multistage fracturing of horizontal wells is a critical technology for unconventional oil and gas reservoir stimulation. Ball-throwing temporary plugging fracturing is a new method for realizing uniform fracturing alo...Multistage fracturing of horizontal wells is a critical technology for unconventional oil and gas reservoir stimulation. Ball-throwing temporary plugging fracturing is a new method for realizing uniform fracturing along horizontal wells and plays an important role in increasing oil and gas production. However,the transportation and sealing law of temporary plugging balls(TPBs) in the perforation section of horizontal wells is still unclear. Using COMSOL computational fluid dynamics and a particle tracking module, we simulate the transportation process of TPBs in a horizontal wellbore and analyse the effects of the ball density, ball diameter, ball number, fracturing fluid injection rate, and viscosity on the plugging efficiency of TPB transportation. This study reveals that when the density of TPBs is close to that of the fracturing fluid and a moderate diameter of the TPB is used, the plugging efficiency can be substantially enhanced. The plugging efficiency is greater when the TPB number is close to twice the number of perforations and is lower when the number of TPBs is three times the number of perforations.Adjusting the fracturing fluid injection rate from low to high can control the position of the TPBs,improving plugging efficiency. As the viscosity of the fracturing fluid increases, the plugging efficiency of the perforations decreases near the borehole heel and increases near the borehole toe. In contrast, the plugging efficiency of the central perforation is almost unaffected by the fracturing fluid viscosity. This study can serve as a valuable reference for establishing the parameters for temporary plugging and fracturing.展开更多
Inadequate strength and stability of active crude oil emulsions stabilized by conventional surfactants always lead to a limited plugging rate of plugging agents.Thus,to address this issue,the synthesis of amphiphilic ...Inadequate strength and stability of active crude oil emulsions stabilized by conventional surfactants always lead to a limited plugging rate of plugging agents.Thus,to address this issue,the synthesis of amphiphilic Janus nanosheets was effectively carried out for enhancing the system performances and subsequently characterized.Based on the outcomes of orthogonal tests,an assessment was conducted on the nanosheet and surfactant formulations to optimize the enhancement of emulsion properties.The experimental demonstration of the complex system has revealed its remarkable emulsifying capability,ability to decrease interfacial tension and improve rheological behavior at high temperature(80℃)and high salinity(35,000 ppm)conditions.Involving probable mechanism of the system performance enhancement is elucidated by considering the synergistic effect between surfactants and nanosheets.Furthermore,variables including water-to-oil ratio,salinity,temperature and stirring intensity during operation,which affect the properties of prepared emulsions,were investigated in detail.The efficacy and stability of the complex system in obstructing medium and high permeability cores were demonstrated.Notably,the core with a high permeability of 913.58 mD exhibited a plugging rate of 98.55%.This study establishes the foundations of medium and high permeability reservoirs plugging with novel active crude oil plugging agents in severe environments.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
As formation mechanisms of plugging zone and criteria for fracture plugging remain unclear,plugging experiments and methods testing granular material mechanical properties are used to study the formation process of th...As formation mechanisms of plugging zone and criteria for fracture plugging remain unclear,plugging experiments and methods testing granular material mechanical properties are used to study the formation process of the plugging zone in fractured formations,analyze composition and ratios of different sizes of particles in the plugging zone,and reveal the essence and driving energy of the formation and damage of the plugging zone.New criteria for selecting lost circulation materials are proposed.The research results show that the formation of the plugging zone has undergone a process from inertial flow,elastic flow,to quasi-static flow.The plugging zone is composed of fracture mouth plugging particles,bridging particles and filling particles,and the proportion of the three types of particles is an important basis for designing drilling fluid loss control formula.The essence of the construction of the plugging zone is non-equilibrium Jamming phase transition.The response of the plugging zone particle system to pressure is driven by entropy force;the greater the entropy,the more stable the plugging zone.Lost circulation control formula optimized according to the new criteria has better plugging effect than the formula made according to conventional plugging rules and effectively improves the pressure-bearing capacity of the plugging zone.The research results provide a theoretical and technical basis for the lost circulation control of fractured formations.展开更多
Plugging agent treatment and acid stimulation have completely different mechanisms for improving injection profiles. In this paper, a hybrid procedure is introduced to reduce the damage of the plugging agent to low a...Plugging agent treatment and acid stimulation have completely different mechanisms for improving injection profiles. In this paper, a hybrid procedure is introduced to reduce the damage of the plugging agent to low and medium permeability zones and the penetration radius of acid into high permeability zones. The procedure is: First inject plugging agent to block high permeability zones, and then inject acid to remove plugging agent damage from the low and medium permeability zones and stimulate them. To perform this procedure successfully, three kinds of plugging agents, namely strong strength plugging agent for the wells with fractures or high permeability streaks, weak gel for those with thick layer in which serious heterogeneity exists, temporary plugging agent for those in which the absorption ability of high permeability zones needs maintaining, were screened out for use in different reservoirs. Several acid systems were evaluated to be compatible with the three kinds of plugging agents. The objectives of this paper are:(1)To show the screen results about the compatible plugging agent and acid; 2 To show how to optimize the operation process;(3)To tell some experience gained ( ) from the oilfield applications of this technique. From Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2002, 46 operations using this procedure were carried out in Weicheng and Mazhai Oilfields of SINOPEC. Results show that the average benefit/cost ratio is over 3.5. Experience acquired from these applications was summarized in the paper.展开更多
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 a...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.展开更多
Emulsifier-free poly(methyl methacrylate-styrene) [P(MMA-St)] nanospheres with an average particle size of 100 nm were synthesized in an isopropyl alcoholwater medium by a solvothermal method. Then, through radica...Emulsifier-free poly(methyl methacrylate-styrene) [P(MMA-St)] nanospheres with an average particle size of 100 nm were synthesized in an isopropyl alcoholwater medium by a solvothermal method. Then, through radical graft copolymerization of thermo-sensitive mono- mer N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and hydrophilic monomer acrylic acid (AA) onto the surface of P(MMA- St) nanospheres at 80 ℃, a series of thermo-sensitive polymer nanospheres, named SD-SEAL with different lower critical solution temperatures (LCST), were prepared by adjusting the mole ratio of NIPAm to AA. The products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, particle size distribution, and specific surface area analysis. The temperature-sensitive behavior was studied by light transmittance tests, while the sealing performance was investigated by pressure transmission tests with Lungmachi Formation shales. The experimental results showed that the synthesized nanoparticles are sensitive to temperature and had apparent LCST values which increased with an increase in hydrophilic monomer AA. When the temperature was higher than its LCST value, SD- SEAL played a dual role of physical plugging and chemical inhibition, slowed down pressure transmission, and reduced shale permeability remarkably. The plugged layer of shale was changed to being hydrophobic, which greatly improved the shale stability展开更多
The influence of surface-modified silica(SiO_2) nanoparticles on the stability and pore plugging properties of foams in porous media was investigated in this study. The pore plugging ability of foams was estimated fro...The influence of surface-modified silica(SiO_2) nanoparticles on the stability and pore plugging properties of foams in porous media was investigated in this study. The pore plugging ability of foams was estimated from the pressure drop induced during foam propagation in porous media. The results clearly showed that the modified Si02 nanoparticlestabilized foam exhibited high stability, and the differential pressure increased in porous media by as much as three times.The addition of SiO_2 nanoparticles to the foaming dispersions further mitigated the adverse effect of oil toward the foam pore plugging ability. Consequently, the oil recovery increased in the presence of nanoparticles by approximately 15%during the enhanced oil recovery experiment. The study suggested that the addition of surface-modified silica nanoparticles to the surfactant solution could considerably improve the conventional foam stability and pore plugging performance in porous media.展开更多
Gas-solid fluidized bed separation is a highly efficient and clean technique for coal separation,and can effectively remove ash and sulfur contained gangue minerals from coal.However,the fine coal plugging distributor...Gas-solid fluidized bed separation is a highly efficient and clean technique for coal separation,and can effectively remove ash and sulfur contained gangue minerals from coal.However,the fine coal plugging distributor often leads to uneven fluidization and affects the separation effect.In this paper,different plugging ways were designed to study their effects on the fluidization characteristics and particle mixing.It was found that when the plugging phenomenon occurs,the minimum fluidization velocity of the fluidized bed gradually decreases as the plugging area enlarges.The difference between the top and the bottom of the bed minimum fluidization velocity increases accordingly,and a“stagnation phenomenon”occurs in the bed.The standard deviation of pressure fluctuations at the top of the bed is smaller than that at the bottom of the bed,which is the opposite of normal conditions.As the area of the plugging increases,the dead zone on the side wall of the fluidized bed significantly increases.The size of the dead zone is rapid reducing at the initial stage.It was noticed that the stratification of the low-density products is particularly affected by plugging,whereas the stratification of high-density products is not obviously influenced by certain conditions.展开更多
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 fracturin...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.展开更多
Self-healing hydrogels have attracted tremendous attention in the field of oil and gas drilling and production engineering because of their excellent self-healing performance after physical damage.In this study,a seri...Self-healing hydrogels have attracted tremendous attention in the field of oil and gas drilling and production engineering because of their excellent self-healing performance after physical damage.In this study,a series of double network self-healing(DN_(SA))hydrogels based on hydrophobic association and ionic bond were prepared for plugging pores and fractures in formations in oil and gas drilling and production engineering.The mechanical,rheological,and self-healing properties of the DN_(SA)hydrogels were investigated.Results revealed that the DN_(SA)hydrogels exhibited excellent mechanical properties with a tensile stress of 0.67 MPa and toughness of 7069 kJ/cm^(3) owing to the synergistic effect of the double network.In addition,the DN_(SA)hydrogels exhibited excellent compression resistance,notch insensitivity,and self-healing properties.The DN_(SA)-2 hydrogel was granulated and made into gel particles with different particle sizes and used as a plugging agent.The self-healing mechanism of DN_(SA)-2 hydrogel particles in fractures was explored,and it’s plugging effect on fractures of different widths and porous media of different permeabilities were investigated.Experimental results revealed that the plugging capacity of the DN_(SA)-2 hydrogel particles for a fracture with width of 5 mm and a porous medium with a permeability of 30μm^(2) was 3.45 and 4.21 MPa,respectively,which is significantly higher than those of commonly used plugging agents in the oilfield.The DN_(SA)hydrogels with excellent mechanical and self-healing properties prepared in this study will provide a new approach for applying hydrogels in oil and gas drilling and production engineering.展开更多
Lost circulation of drilling fluid is one of the most common engineering problems in the drilling process of fractured formations.In this study,an oil-absorbing polymer gel synthesized using compound monomers with rig...Lost circulation of drilling fluid is one of the most common engineering problems in the drilling process of fractured formations.In this study,an oil-absorbing polymer gel synthesized using compound monomers with rigid and flexible chains was applied to control the oil-based drilling fluid loss while drilling.The microstructure,oil-absorbing performance,and plugging performance the gel was investigated.A large number of dense pores on the surface of the gel were observed,which allowed the oil molecules to enter the internal space of the gel.The initial oil absorption capacity of the gel was fast,and it increased with the increase in the temperature and decrease in the particle size,reaching 20.93 g/g at140℃.At a high temperature of 140℃,the bearing pressure capacity of the gel formula containing particles of different particle sizes reached 7.6 MPa for a fracture of a width of 3 mm,showing that the oil-absorbing gel have excellent plugging performance at high temperature.Plugging mechanism of the gel was investigated through visualized fracture plugging experiments.Results show that the dynamic migratio n,particle-swelling,particle-bridging,particle-aggregation,deformation-filling,and compaction-plugging contribute to the whole lost circulation control process,reflecting that the plugging performance can be effectively enhanced by improving the aggregation and filling degrees of the gel with different particle sizes.展开更多
By reviewing the mechanisms of drilling fluid lost circulation and its control in fractured formations, the applicability and working mechanisms of different kinds of lost circulation materials in plugging fractured f...By reviewing the mechanisms of drilling fluid lost circulation and its control in fractured formations, the applicability and working mechanisms of different kinds of lost circulation materials in plugging fractured formations have been summarized. Meanwhile, based on the types of lost circulation materials, the advantages, disadvantages, and application effects of corresponding plugging technologies have been analyzed to sort out the key problems existing in the current lost circulation control technologies. On this basis, the development direction of plugging technology for severe loss have been pointed out. It is suggested that that the lost circulation control technology should combine different disciplines such as geology, engineering and materials to realize integration, intelligence and systematization in the future. Five research aspects should be focused on:(1) the study on mechanisms of drilling fluid lost circulation and its control to provide basis for scientific selection of lost circulation material formulas, control methods and processes;(2) the research and development of self-adaptive lost circulation materials to improve the matching relationship between lost control materials and fracture scales;(3) the research and development of lost circulation materials with strong retention and strong filling in three-dimensional fracture space, to enhance the retention and filling capacities of materials in fractures and improve the lost circulation control effect;(4) the research and development of lost circulation materials with high temperature tolerance, to ensure the long-term plugging effect of deep high-temperature formations;(5) the study on digital and intelligent lost circulation control technology, to promote the development of lost circulation control technology to digital and intelligent direction.展开更多
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 ...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.展开更多
Intra-stage multi-cluster temporary plugging and diverting fracturing(ITPF)is one of the fastest-growing techniques to obtain uniform reservoir stimulation in shale gas reservoirs.However,propagation geometries of mul...Intra-stage multi-cluster temporary plugging and diverting fracturing(ITPF)is one of the fastest-growing techniques to obtain uniform reservoir stimulation in shale gas reservoirs.However,propagation geometries of multiple fractures during ITPF are not clear due that the existing numerical models cannot capture the effects of perforation plugging.In this paper,a new three-dimensional FEM based on CZM was developed to investigate multiple planar fracture propagation considering perforation plugging during ITPF.Meanwhile,the fluid pipe element and its subroutine were first developed to realize the flux partitioning before or after perforation plugging.The results showed that the perforation plugging changed the original distribution of the number of perforations in each fracture,thus changing the flux partitioning after perforation plugging,which could eliminate the effect of stress interference between multiple fractures and promote a uniform fluid distribution.The standard deviation of fluid distribution in the perforation plugging case was only 8.48%of that in the non-diversion case.Furthermore,critical plugging parameters have been investigated quantitatively.Specifically,injecting more diverters will create a higher fluid pressure rise in the wellbore,which will increase the risk of wellbore integrity.Comprehensively considering pressure rise and fluid distribution,the number of diverters should be 50%of the total number of perforations(N_(pt)),whose standard deviation of fluid distribution of multiple fractures was lower than those in the cases of injecting 10%N_(pt),30%N_(pt)and 70%N_(pt).The diverters should be injected at an appropriate timing,i.e.40%or 50%of the total fracturing time(tft),whose standard deviation of the fluid distribution was only about 20%of standard deviations in the cases of injecting at20%tftor 70%tft.A single injection with all diverters can maintain high bottom-hole pressure for a longer period and promote a more uniform fluid distribution.The standard deviation of the fluid distribution in the case of a single injection was 43.62%-55.41%of the other cases with multiple injection times.This study provides a meaningful perspective and some optimal plugging parameters on the field design during IPTF.展开更多
基金This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.51575528)the Science Foundation of China University of Petroleum,Beijing(No.2462022QEDX011).
文摘Pipeline isolation plugging robot (PIPR) is an important tool in pipeline maintenance operation. During the plugging process, the violent vibration will occur by the flow field, which can cause serious damage to the pipeline and PIPR. In this paper, we propose a dynamic regulating strategy to reduce the plugging-induced vibration by regulating the spoiler angle and plugging velocity. Firstly, the dynamic plugging simulation and experiment are performed to study the flow field changes during dynamic plugging. And the pressure difference is proposed to evaluate the degree of flow field vibration. Secondly, the mathematical models of pressure difference with plugging states and spoiler angles are established based on the extreme learning machine (ELM) optimized by improved sparrow search algorithm (ISSA). Finally, a modified Q-learning algorithm based on simulated annealing is applied to determine the optimal strategy for the spoiler angle and plugging velocity in real time. The results show that the proposed method can reduce the plugging-induced vibration by 19.9% and 32.7% on average, compared with single-regulating methods. This study can effectively ensure the stability of the plugging process.
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(51604236)Open Fund of the State Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation(PLN201913)+1 种基金Science and Technology Planning Project of the Sichuan Province,China(2018JY0436)Sichuan Youth Science and Technology Innovation Research Team Project for Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoir Protection(2016TD0016)。
文摘A coupled CFD-DEM method is used to simulate the formation process of fracture plugging zone.A photo-elastic system characterizing mesoscale force chain network developed by our own is used to model the pressure evolution in fracture plugging zone to reveal the evolution mechanism of the structure of fracture plugging zone.A theoretical basis is provided for improving the lost circulation control effect in fractured reservoirs and novel methods are proposed for selecting loss control materials and designing loss control formula.CFD-DEM simulation results show that bridging probability is the key factor determining the formation of fracture plugging zone and fracture plugging efficiency.Critical and absolute bridging concentrations are proposed as the key indexes for loss control formula design.With the increase of absolute bridging concentration,the governing factor of bridging is changed from material grain size to the combination of material grain size and friction force.Results of photo-elastic experiments show that mesoscale force chain network is the intrinsic factor affecting the evolution of pressure exerting on the fracture plugging zone and determines the macroscopic strength of fracture plugging zone.Performance parameters of loss control material affect the force chain network structure and the ratio of stronger force chain,and further impact the stability and strength of fracture plugging zone.Based on the study results,the loss control formula is optimized and new-type loss control material is designed.Laboratory experiments results show that the fracture plugging efficiency and strength is effectively improved.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.52150410427)the Key Support Program for Foreign Experts of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China(No.wgxz2022057)funding for post-doctoral work by the Department of Human Resources and Social Security of Hubei Province。
文摘Thermo-responsive nanocomposites have recently emerged as potential nanoplugging agents for shale stabilization in high-temperature water-based drilling fluids(WBDFs). However, their inhibitory properties have not been very effective in high-temperature drilling operations. Thermo-responsive Janus nanocomposites are expected to strongly interact with clay particles from the inward hemisphere of nanomaterials, which drive the establishment of a tighter hydrophobic membrane over the shale surface at the outward hemisphere under geothermal conditions for shale stabilization. This work combines the synergistic benefits of thermo-responsive and zwitterionic nanomaterials to synchronously enhance the chemical inhibitions and plugging performances in shale under harsh conditions. A novel thermoresponsive Janus nanosilica(TRJS) exhibiting zwitterionic character was synthesized, characterized,and assessed as shale stabilizer for WBDFs at high temperatures. Compared to pristine nanosilica(Si NP)and symmetrical thermo-responsive nanosilica(TRS), TRJS exhibited anti-polyelectrolyte behaviour, in which electrolyte ions screened the electrostatic attraction between the charged particles, potentially stabilizing nanomaterial in hostile shaly environments(i.e., up to saturated brine or API brine). Macroscopically, TRJS exhibited higher chemical inhibition than Si NP and TRS in brine, prompting a better capability to control pressure penetration. TRJS adsorbed onto the clay surface via chemisorption and hydrogen bonding, and the interactions became substantial in brine, according to the results of electrophoretic mobility, surface wettability, and X-ray diffraction. Thus, contributing to the firm trapping of TRJS into the nanopore structure of the shale, triggering the formation of a tight hydrophobic membrane over the shale surface from the outward hemisphere. The addition of TRJS into WBDF had no deleterious effect on fluid properties after hot-treatment at 190℃, implying that TRJS could find potential use as a shale stabilizer in WBDFs in hostile environments.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant 52374023, 52288101)Taishan Scholar Young Expert (Grant tsqn202306117)。
文摘Lost circulation, a recurring peril during drilling operations, entails substantial loss of drilling fluid and dire consequences upon its infiltration into the formation. As drilling depth escalates, the formation temperature and pressure intensify, imposing exacting demands on plug materials. In this study, a kind of controllable curing resin with dense cross-network structure was prepared by the method of solution stepwise ring-opening polymerization. The resin plugging material investigated in this study is a continuous phase material that offers effortless injection, robust filling capabilities, exceptional retention, and underground curing or crosslinking with high strength. Its versatility is not constrained by fracture-cavity lose channels, making it suitable for fulfilling the essential needs of various fracture-cavity combinations when plugging fracture-cavity carbonate rocks. Notably, the curing duration can be fine-tuned within the span of 3-7 h, catering to the plugging of drilling fluid losing of diverse fracture dimensions. Experimental scrutiny encompassed the rheological properties and curing behavior of the resin plugging system, unraveling the intricacies of the curing process and establishing a cogent kinetic model. The experimental results show that the urea-formaldehyde resin plugging material has a tight chain or network structure. When the concentration of the urea-formaldehyde resin plugging system solution remains below 30%, the viscosity clocks in at a meager 10 mPa·s. Optimum curing transpires at 60℃, showcasing impressive resilience to saline conditions. Remarkably, when immersed in a composite saltwater environment containing 50000 mg/L NaCl and 100000 mg/L CaCl_(2), the urea-formaldehyde resin consolidates into an even more compact network structure, culminating in an outstanding compressive strength of 41.5 MPa. Through resolving the correlation between conversion and the apparent activation energy of the non-isothermal DSC curing reaction parameters, the study attests to the fulfillment of the kinetic equation for the urea-formaldehyde resin plugging system. This discerning analysis illuminates the nuanced shifts in the microscopic reaction mechanism of the urea-formaldehyde resin plugging system. Furthermore, the pressure bearing plugging capacity of the resin plugging system for fractures of different sizes is also studied. It is found that the resin plugging system can effectively resident in parallel and wedge-shaped fractures of different sizes, and form high-strength consolidation under certain temperature conditions. The maximum plugging pressure of resin plugging system for parallel fractures with outlet size 3 mm can reach 9.92 MPa, and the maximum plugging pressure for wedge-shaped fractures with outlet size 5 mm can reach 9.90 MPa. Consequently, the exploration and application of urea-formaldehyde resin plugging material precipitate a paradigm shift, proffering novel concepts and methodologies in resolving the practical quandaries afflicting drilling fluid plugging.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52074250)。
文摘Multistage fracturing of horizontal wells is a critical technology for unconventional oil and gas reservoir stimulation. Ball-throwing temporary plugging fracturing is a new method for realizing uniform fracturing along horizontal wells and plays an important role in increasing oil and gas production. However,the transportation and sealing law of temporary plugging balls(TPBs) in the perforation section of horizontal wells is still unclear. Using COMSOL computational fluid dynamics and a particle tracking module, we simulate the transportation process of TPBs in a horizontal wellbore and analyse the effects of the ball density, ball diameter, ball number, fracturing fluid injection rate, and viscosity on the plugging efficiency of TPB transportation. This study reveals that when the density of TPBs is close to that of the fracturing fluid and a moderate diameter of the TPB is used, the plugging efficiency can be substantially enhanced. The plugging efficiency is greater when the TPB number is close to twice the number of perforations and is lower when the number of TPBs is three times the number of perforations.Adjusting the fracturing fluid injection rate from low to high can control the position of the TPBs,improving plugging efficiency. As the viscosity of the fracturing fluid increases, the plugging efficiency of the perforations decreases near the borehole heel and increases near the borehole toe. In contrast, the plugging efficiency of the central perforation is almost unaffected by the fracturing fluid viscosity. This study can serve as a valuable reference for establishing the parameters for temporary plugging and fracturing.
基金financially supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(52374053)Beijing Natural Science Foundation(2204092)Beijing Municipal Excellent Talent Training Funds Youth Advanced Individual Project(2018000020124G163)。
文摘Inadequate strength and stability of active crude oil emulsions stabilized by conventional surfactants always lead to a limited plugging rate of plugging agents.Thus,to address this issue,the synthesis of amphiphilic Janus nanosheets was effectively carried out for enhancing the system performances and subsequently characterized.Based on the outcomes of orthogonal tests,an assessment was conducted on the nanosheet and surfactant formulations to optimize the enhancement of emulsion properties.The experimental demonstration of the complex system has revealed its remarkable emulsifying capability,ability to decrease interfacial tension and improve rheological behavior at high temperature(80℃)and high salinity(35,000 ppm)conditions.Involving probable mechanism of the system performance enhancement is elucidated by considering the synergistic effect between surfactants and nanosheets.Furthermore,variables including water-to-oil ratio,salinity,temperature and stirring intensity during operation,which affect the properties of prepared emulsions,were investigated in detail.The efficacy and stability of the complex system in obstructing medium and high permeability cores were demonstrated.Notably,the core with a high permeability of 913.58 mD exhibited a plugging rate of 98.55%.This study establishes the foundations of medium and high permeability reservoirs plugging with novel active crude oil plugging agents in severe environments.
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.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(51991361,52074327)Major Engineering Technology Field Test Project of CNPC(2020F-45)。
文摘As formation mechanisms of plugging zone and criteria for fracture plugging remain unclear,plugging experiments and methods testing granular material mechanical properties are used to study the formation process of the plugging zone in fractured formations,analyze composition and ratios of different sizes of particles in the plugging zone,and reveal the essence and driving energy of the formation and damage of the plugging zone.New criteria for selecting lost circulation materials are proposed.The research results show that the formation of the plugging zone has undergone a process from inertial flow,elastic flow,to quasi-static flow.The plugging zone is composed of fracture mouth plugging particles,bridging particles and filling particles,and the proportion of the three types of particles is an important basis for designing drilling fluid loss control formula.The essence of the construction of the plugging zone is non-equilibrium Jamming phase transition.The response of the plugging zone particle system to pressure is driven by entropy force;the greater the entropy,the more stable the plugging zone.Lost circulation control formula optimized according to the new criteria has better plugging effect than the formula made according to conventional plugging rules and effectively improves the pressure-bearing capacity of the plugging zone.The research results provide a theoretical and technical basis for the lost circulation control of fractured formations.
文摘Plugging agent treatment and acid stimulation have completely different mechanisms for improving injection profiles. In this paper, a hybrid procedure is introduced to reduce the damage of the plugging agent to low and medium permeability zones and the penetration radius of acid into high permeability zones. The procedure is: First inject plugging agent to block high permeability zones, and then inject acid to remove plugging agent damage from the low and medium permeability zones and stimulate them. To perform this procedure successfully, three kinds of plugging agents, namely strong strength plugging agent for the wells with fractures or high permeability streaks, weak gel for those with thick layer in which serious heterogeneity exists, temporary plugging agent for those in which the absorption ability of high permeability zones needs maintaining, were screened out for use in different reservoirs. Several acid systems were evaluated to be compatible with the three kinds of plugging agents. The objectives of this paper are:(1)To show the screen results about the compatible plugging agent and acid; 2 To show how to optimize the operation process;(3)To tell some experience gained ( ) from the oilfield applications of this technique. From Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2002, 46 operations using this procedure were carried out in Weicheng and Mazhai Oilfields of SINOPEC. Results show that the average benefit/cost ratio is over 3.5. Experience acquired from these applications was summarized in the paper.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(52192622,52204005,U20A20265)Sichuan Outstanding Young Scientific and Technological Talents Project(2022JDJQ0007).
文摘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.
基金financial support from the National Science Foundation of China (Nos. 51374233, 51474235)the Postdoctoral Innovative Project Foundation of Shandong Province (No. 201602027)+2 种基金the Qingdao Postdoctoral Applied Research Project (No. 2015242)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 15CX06021A)the Graduate Student Innovation Project from China University of Petroleum (East China) (No. YCX2015011)
文摘Emulsifier-free poly(methyl methacrylate-styrene) [P(MMA-St)] nanospheres with an average particle size of 100 nm were synthesized in an isopropyl alcoholwater medium by a solvothermal method. Then, through radical graft copolymerization of thermo-sensitive mono- mer N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and hydrophilic monomer acrylic acid (AA) onto the surface of P(MMA- St) nanospheres at 80 ℃, a series of thermo-sensitive polymer nanospheres, named SD-SEAL with different lower critical solution temperatures (LCST), were prepared by adjusting the mole ratio of NIPAm to AA. The products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, particle size distribution, and specific surface area analysis. The temperature-sensitive behavior was studied by light transmittance tests, while the sealing performance was investigated by pressure transmission tests with Lungmachi Formation shales. The experimental results showed that the synthesized nanoparticles are sensitive to temperature and had apparent LCST values which increased with an increase in hydrophilic monomer AA. When the temperature was higher than its LCST value, SD- SEAL played a dual role of physical plugging and chemical inhibition, slowed down pressure transmission, and reduced shale permeability remarkably. The plugged layer of shale was changed to being hydrophobic, which greatly improved the shale stability
基金Ministry of Higher Education (Vot No. Q.J130000.2542.08H61)Universiti Teknologi (UTM) Malaysia for supporting this research
文摘The influence of surface-modified silica(SiO_2) nanoparticles on the stability and pore plugging properties of foams in porous media was investigated in this study. The pore plugging ability of foams was estimated from the pressure drop induced during foam propagation in porous media. The results clearly showed that the modified Si02 nanoparticlestabilized foam exhibited high stability, and the differential pressure increased in porous media by as much as three times.The addition of SiO_2 nanoparticles to the foaming dispersions further mitigated the adverse effect of oil toward the foam pore plugging ability. Consequently, the oil recovery increased in the presence of nanoparticles by approximately 15%during the enhanced oil recovery experiment. The study suggested that the addition of surface-modified silica nanoparticles to the surfactant solution could considerably improve the conventional foam stability and pore plugging performance in porous media.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China-Xinjiang Joint Foundation(No.U1903132)National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.51904298).
文摘Gas-solid fluidized bed separation is a highly efficient and clean technique for coal separation,and can effectively remove ash and sulfur contained gangue minerals from coal.However,the fine coal plugging distributor often leads to uneven fluidization and affects the separation effect.In this paper,different plugging ways were designed to study their effects on the fluidization characteristics and particle mixing.It was found that when the plugging phenomenon occurs,the minimum fluidization velocity of the fluidized bed gradually decreases as the plugging area enlarges.The difference between the top and the bottom of the bed minimum fluidization velocity increases accordingly,and a“stagnation phenomenon”occurs in the bed.The standard deviation of pressure fluctuations at the top of the bed is smaller than that at the bottom of the bed,which is the opposite of normal conditions.As the area of the plugging increases,the dead zone on the side wall of the fluidized bed significantly increases.The size of the dead zone is rapid reducing at the initial stage.It was noticed that the stratification of the low-density products is particularly affected by plugging,whereas the stratification of high-density products is not obviously influenced by certain conditions.
基金This work was supported by the Research Foundation of China University of Petroleum-Beijing at Karamay(No.XQZX20200010)the Natural Science Foundation of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(No.2019D01B57)+3 种基金the University Scientific Research Project of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(No.XJEDU2019Y067)the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Innovation Environment Construction Project(No.2019Q025)the Sichuan Province Regional Innovation Cooperation Project(No.2020YFQ0036)the CNPC Strategic Cooperation Science and Technology Project(ZLZX2020-01-04-04)。
文摘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.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.52074327 and 51991361)。
文摘Self-healing hydrogels have attracted tremendous attention in the field of oil and gas drilling and production engineering because of their excellent self-healing performance after physical damage.In this study,a series of double network self-healing(DN_(SA))hydrogels based on hydrophobic association and ionic bond were prepared for plugging pores and fractures in formations in oil and gas drilling and production engineering.The mechanical,rheological,and self-healing properties of the DN_(SA)hydrogels were investigated.Results revealed that the DN_(SA)hydrogels exhibited excellent mechanical properties with a tensile stress of 0.67 MPa and toughness of 7069 kJ/cm^(3) owing to the synergistic effect of the double network.In addition,the DN_(SA)hydrogels exhibited excellent compression resistance,notch insensitivity,and self-healing properties.The DN_(SA)-2 hydrogel was granulated and made into gel particles with different particle sizes and used as a plugging agent.The self-healing mechanism of DN_(SA)-2 hydrogel particles in fractures was explored,and it’s plugging effect on fractures of different widths and porous media of different permeabilities were investigated.Experimental results revealed that the plugging capacity of the DN_(SA)-2 hydrogel particles for a fracture with width of 5 mm and a porous medium with a permeability of 30μm^(2) was 3.45 and 4.21 MPa,respectively,which is significantly higher than those of commonly used plugging agents in the oilfield.The DN_(SA)hydrogels with excellent mechanical and self-healing properties prepared in this study will provide a new approach for applying hydrogels in oil and gas drilling and production engineering.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant 52074327,51991361)the Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province,China(ZR2020QE107)
文摘Lost circulation of drilling fluid is one of the most common engineering problems in the drilling process of fractured formations.In this study,an oil-absorbing polymer gel synthesized using compound monomers with rigid and flexible chains was applied to control the oil-based drilling fluid loss while drilling.The microstructure,oil-absorbing performance,and plugging performance the gel was investigated.A large number of dense pores on the surface of the gel were observed,which allowed the oil molecules to enter the internal space of the gel.The initial oil absorption capacity of the gel was fast,and it increased with the increase in the temperature and decrease in the particle size,reaching 20.93 g/g at140℃.At a high temperature of 140℃,the bearing pressure capacity of the gel formula containing particles of different particle sizes reached 7.6 MPa for a fracture of a width of 3 mm,showing that the oil-absorbing gel have excellent plugging performance at high temperature.Plugging mechanism of the gel was investigated through visualized fracture plugging experiments.Results show that the dynamic migratio n,particle-swelling,particle-bridging,particle-aggregation,deformation-filling,and compaction-plugging contribute to the whole lost circulation control process,reflecting that the plugging performance can be effectively enhanced by improving the aggregation and filling degrees of the gel with different particle sizes.
基金Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China(51991361,52074327,U1762212)Major Engineering Technology Field Tes Project of CNPC(2020F-45)。
文摘By reviewing the mechanisms of drilling fluid lost circulation and its control in fractured formations, the applicability and working mechanisms of different kinds of lost circulation materials in plugging fractured formations have been summarized. Meanwhile, based on the types of lost circulation materials, the advantages, disadvantages, and application effects of corresponding plugging technologies have been analyzed to sort out the key problems existing in the current lost circulation control technologies. On this basis, the development direction of plugging technology for severe loss have been pointed out. It is suggested that that the lost circulation control technology should combine different disciplines such as geology, engineering and materials to realize integration, intelligence and systematization in the future. Five research aspects should be focused on:(1) the study on mechanisms of drilling fluid lost circulation and its control to provide basis for scientific selection of lost circulation material formulas, control methods and processes;(2) the research and development of self-adaptive lost circulation materials to improve the matching relationship between lost control materials and fracture scales;(3) the research and development of lost circulation materials with strong retention and strong filling in three-dimensional fracture space, to enhance the retention and filling capacities of materials in fractures and improve the lost circulation control effect;(4) the research and development of lost circulation materials with high temperature tolerance, to ensure the long-term plugging effect of deep high-temperature formations;(5) the study on digital and intelligent lost circulation control technology, to promote the development of lost circulation control technology to digital and intelligent direction.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41772286,42077247)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central UniversitiesOpen Research Fund of State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering,Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics,Chinese Academy of Sciences(Z020009)。
文摘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.
基金financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.52174045,No.52104011)Natural Science Foundation of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region(2022D01B77)。
文摘Intra-stage multi-cluster temporary plugging and diverting fracturing(ITPF)is one of the fastest-growing techniques to obtain uniform reservoir stimulation in shale gas reservoirs.However,propagation geometries of multiple fractures during ITPF are not clear due that the existing numerical models cannot capture the effects of perforation plugging.In this paper,a new three-dimensional FEM based on CZM was developed to investigate multiple planar fracture propagation considering perforation plugging during ITPF.Meanwhile,the fluid pipe element and its subroutine were first developed to realize the flux partitioning before or after perforation plugging.The results showed that the perforation plugging changed the original distribution of the number of perforations in each fracture,thus changing the flux partitioning after perforation plugging,which could eliminate the effect of stress interference between multiple fractures and promote a uniform fluid distribution.The standard deviation of fluid distribution in the perforation plugging case was only 8.48%of that in the non-diversion case.Furthermore,critical plugging parameters have been investigated quantitatively.Specifically,injecting more diverters will create a higher fluid pressure rise in the wellbore,which will increase the risk of wellbore integrity.Comprehensively considering pressure rise and fluid distribution,the number of diverters should be 50%of the total number of perforations(N_(pt)),whose standard deviation of fluid distribution of multiple fractures was lower than those in the cases of injecting 10%N_(pt),30%N_(pt)and 70%N_(pt).The diverters should be injected at an appropriate timing,i.e.40%or 50%of the total fracturing time(tft),whose standard deviation of the fluid distribution was only about 20%of standard deviations in the cases of injecting at20%tftor 70%tft.A single injection with all diverters can maintain high bottom-hole pressure for a longer period and promote a more uniform fluid distribution.The standard deviation of the fluid distribution in the case of a single injection was 43.62%-55.41%of the other cases with multiple injection times.This study provides a meaningful perspective and some optimal plugging parameters on the field design during IPTF.