Pseudoelastic Materials as Additives to Enhance Hydraulic Fracturing

Abstract

Systems and methods for enhancing hydraulic fracturing productivity for recovery of a reservoir fluid from a reservoir formation having an open fracture includes providing a shape memory filter that is pseudoelastically deformed and contained within a soluble container. The shape memory filter and soluble container are pumped into the open fracture so that the soluble container dissolves and the shape memory filter returns to an expanded filter shape. A proppant is pumped into the open fracture so that the proppant is trapped by the shape memory filter and forms a column across the open fracture.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for enhancing hydraulic fracturing productivity for recovery of a reservoir fluid from a reservoir formation having an open fracture, the method comprising:
 providing a shape memory filter that is pseudoelastically deformed and contained within a soluble container;   pumping the shape memory filter and the soluble container into the open fracture so that the soluble container dissolves and the shape memory filter returns to an expanded filter shape; and   pumping a proppant into the open fracture so that the proppant is trapped by the shape memory filter and forms a column across the open fracture.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the shape memory filter includes containing the shape memory filter in the soluble container to cause a stress-induced transformation of the shape memory filter from an austenitic alloy to a martensitic alloy. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the shape memory filter includes providing the shape memory filter that undergoes pseudoelastic transformation from a martensitic alloy to an austenitic alloy when the soluble container dissolves. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of providing the shape memory filter includes providing the shape memory filter that transforms from a martensitic alloy to an austenitic alloy when the soluble container dissolves, in a pseudoelastic response without a change in temperature of the shape memory filter. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein when the shape memory filter is contained within the soluble container the soluble container applies a confining stress on the shape memory filter, the confining stress maintaining the shape memory filter in a martensitic state. 
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein as the soluble container dissolves, a release of the confining stress allows the shape memory filter to transform to an austenitic state. 
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the shape memory filter is formed of a nickel titanium alloy. 
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the soluble container is selected from a group consisting of a dissolvable tube, an enclosed capsule, and a dissolvable tablet. 
     
     
         9 . A method for enhancing hydraulic fracturing productivity for recovery of a reservoir fluid from a reservoir formation having an open fracture, the method comprising:
 forming an austenitic alloy into a shape memory filter with an expanded filter shape;   containing the shape memory filter in a soluble container to cause a stress-induced transformation of the shape memory filter from the austenitic alloy to a martensitic alloy with a contracted shape;   pumping the shape memory filter and the soluble container into the open fracture so that the soluble container dissolves and the shape memory filter returns to the austenitic alloy with the expanded filter shape; and   pumping a proppant into the open fracture so that the proppant is trapped by the shape memory filter and forms a column across the open fracture.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising resisting high closure stresses action on the open fracture with the column. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising:
 pumping a plurality of the shape memory filters and soluble containers into the open fracture;   pumping the proppant into the open fracture so that the proppant is trapped by the plurality of the shape memory filters and forms a plurality of columns across the open fracture; and   forming channels of fluid conductivity within the open fracture with the plurality of columns.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the step of forming the austenitic alloy into the shape memory filter with the expanded filter shape includes forming the shape memory filter with a material that returns to the austenitic alloy with the expanded filter shape without a change in temperature of the shape memory filter. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the shape memory filter is formed of a nickel titanium alloy. 
     
     
         14 . A system for enhancing hydraulic fracturing productivity for recovery of a reservoir fluid from a reservoir formation having an open fracture, the system comprising:
 a shape memory filter;   a soluble container, the soluble container containing the shape memory filter when the shape memory filter is pseudoelastically deformed, the soluble container operable to dissolve after being pumped into the open fracture so that the shape memory filter returns to an expanded filter shape; and   a proppant operable to be trapped by the shape memory filter and form a column across the open fracture.   
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the shape memory filter is formed of a material operable to undergo pseudoelastic transformation from a martensitic alloy to an austenitic alloy when the soluble container dissolves. 
     
     
         16 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the shape memory filter is formed of a material operable to transform from a martensitic alloy to an austenitic alloy when the soluble container dissolves, in a pseudoelastic response without a change in temperature of the shape memory filter. 
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the soluble container is formed of a material operable to apply a confining stress on the shape memory filter, the confining stress maintaining the shape memory filter in a martensitic state. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the shape memory filter is formed of a nickel titanium alloy. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the soluble container is selected from a group consisting of a dissolvable tube, an enclosed capsule, and a dissolvable tablet.