Electro-hydrofracturing using electrically conductive proppants and related methods

Abstract

The present disclosure describes electro-hydrofracturing (E-HF) using electrically conductive proppants and methods for hydraulic fracturing using electrically conductive proppants.

1 . A hydraulic fracturing composition, the composition comprising:
 a transport fluid; and   a conductive proppant dispersed in the transport fluid,   wherein an electrical conductivity of the hydraulic fracturing composition is greater than or equal to 100 S/m.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the transport fluid comprises supercritical carbon dioxide. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the transport fluid comprises liquified petroleum. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the transport fluid comprises water. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the transport fluid comprises a thickening agent. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the transport fluid comprises a thickening agent, the thickening agent comprising a polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive proppant comprises petroleum coke. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive proppant comprises conductive carbon particles. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive proppant comprises ceramic particles. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive proppant comprises ceramic particles comprising a metallic coating. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive proppant comprises an electrically conductive portion and an electrically non-conductive portion. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical conductivity of the conductive proppant is greater than or equal to 5000 S/m. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive proppant has an average diameter of greater than or equal to 1 μm and/or less than or equal to 1000 μm. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive proppant comprises alumina. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive proppant has a porosity of greater than or equal to 10% and/or less than or equal to 90%. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive proppant has an average pore diameter of greater than or equal to 50 nm and less than or equal to 1000 μm. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the conductive particles are rated to withstand greater than or equal to 30 MPa and/or less than or equal to 150 MPa. 
     
     
         18 . A system, comprising:
 a hydraulic fracturing pump configured to inject a hydraulic fracturing composition into a reservoir, wherein the hydraulic fracturing composition comprises a transport fluid and a conductive proppant, wherein an electrical conductivity of the conductive proppant is greater than or equal to 100 S/m; and   two or more electrodes configured to apply a potential across at least a portion of the reservoir.   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , further comprising a proppant reservoir containing the hydraulic fracturing composition, wherein the proppant reservoir is in fluidic communication with the hydraulic fracturing pump. 
     
     
         20 . A method for fracturing a reservoir, the method comprising:
 injecting a hydraulic fracturing composition comprising a transport fluid and a conductive proppant into the reservoir, wherein an electrical conductivity of the conductive proppant is greater than or equal to 100 S/m;   applying a potential between a first portion of the reservoir and a second portion of the reservoir; and   fracturing the reservoir between or proximate to the first portion and/or the second portion of the reservoir.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising heating the reservoir between and/or proximate to the first portion of the reservoir and/or the second portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein applying the potential across the first portion of the reservoir and the second portion of the reservoir heats at least a portion of the reservoir. 
     
     
         23 . A method for characterizing a reservoir, the method comprising:
 injecting a hydraulic fracturing composition comprising a transport fluid and a conductive proppant into the reservoir, wherein an electrical conductivity of the conductive proppant is greater than or equal to 100 S/m;   applying electromagnetic radiation to the reservoir;   sensing one or more signals related to the applied electromagnetic radiation; and   determining one or more properties of the reservoir based at least in part on the one or more signals.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein determining the property comprises measuring an electrical resistivity of the hydraulic fracturing composition or the transport fluid. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 23 , further determining an electrical resistivity of portions of the reservoir filled with the hydraulic fracturing composition and determining an electrical resistivity of at least some portions of the reservoir not filled with the hydraulic fracturing composition. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising mapping a fracture network and/or a fracture size based at least in part on the sensing and/or the determining step. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising drilling a second well at a second well position based, at least in part, upon the sensing and/or determining steps such that the second well intersects with the reservoir. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising fracturing at least a portion of the reservoir with the hydraulic fracturing composition. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 23 , further comprising injecting a cooling fluid in the reservoir. 
     
     
         30 . A system for characterizing a reservoir, the system comprising:
 a hydraulic fracturing pump configured to inject a hydraulic fracturing composition into a reservoir, wherein the hydraulic fracturing composition comprises a transport fluid and a conductive proppant, wherein an electrical conductivity of the conductive proppant is greater than or equal to 100 S/m;   two or more electrodes configured to apply a potential across at least a portion of the reservoir;   a source of electromagnetic radiation; and   a sensor configured to receive one or more signals related to the electromagnetic radiation.