A Novel Self-Diverting Fracturing Technology Based on Inverse Phase Transformation

Abstract

A self-diverting fracturing technology is proposed in the study as a way of effectively creating a stimulated reservoir volume. The technology, which is based on the use of a novel self-diverting fracturing fluid, can create and extend fractures to design shapes, is strong enough to effectively plug fractures and can then be effectively removed from fractures and form a branched network of highly permeable fractures. It can also greatly enlarge the stimulated reservoir volume, possesses excellent injecting and plugging capacity, effective diversion and complete self-plugging ability, produces little reservoir damage, and is simple and practical. Gelling and gel-breaking macrophenomena, temporary plugging, diversion, and fluid loss are described in detail. All the test results demonstrate that the present self-diverting fluid fracturing technology possesses many advantages.