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Electric Fracturing Techniques Overview

This document summarizes research on using electricity for fracturing rock formations. It discusses two techniques: 1) Pulsed Arc Electrohydraulic Discharges (PAED) which uses high pressure waves generated by electrical discharges between electrodes to create microcracks; and 2) Plasma Stimulation & Fracturing which uses plasma to fracture rock. PAED can fracture rock without fracturing fluids but only increases permeability within a few meters of the wellbore. Both techniques may have environmental advantages over hydraulic fracturing but also limitations in penetrating deep into formations.

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119 views2 pages

Electric Fracturing Techniques Overview

This document summarizes research on using electricity for fracturing rock formations. It discusses two techniques: 1) Pulsed Arc Electrohydraulic Discharges (PAED) which uses high pressure waves generated by electrical discharges between electrodes to create microcracks; and 2) Plasma Stimulation & Fracturing which uses plasma to fracture rock. PAED can fracture rock without fracturing fluids but only increases permeability within a few meters of the wellbore. Both techniques may have environmental advantages over hydraulic fracturing but also limitations in penetrating deep into formations.

Uploaded by

noman
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Research papers:

Martin, J., T. Reess, et al. (2012b). PATENT: Electrical Reservoir Fracturing.


WO/2012/123458
Martin, J., T. Reess, et al. (2012a). PATENT: Electrical and Static fracturing of a
reservoir. WO/2012/123458

Electric fracturing
Overview
In electric fracturing, electricity is used to induce mechanical loads into the rock. If high
enough, this loading will fracture the rock.
Laboratory studies to evaluate the use of electricity for fracturing various grades of Colorado
oil shale were started in 1964, the rationale being that it was necessary to develop
techniques to increase the permeability of the oil shale formation in order to carry out an insitu retorting6 process. (MELTON and CROSS 1968)
A technique that could be especially applied for shale gas stimulation is being developed and
tested at the University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour (Chen 2012; Martin, Reess et al. 2012a;
Martin, Reess et al. 2012b). This makes use of pulsed arc electrohydraulic discharges, and it
is described in Section [Link]! Reference source not found.
Another experimental technique has been identified, called Plasma Stimulation & Fracturing
(Awal 2013). This is described in Section 4.2.2.

4.2.1 Pulsed Arc Electrohydraulic Discharges (PAED)


Description of the technique
The method proposed by the researchers at the University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour is
based on generating a pressure wave by an electrical discharge between two electrodes
placed in a wellbore filled with water. The amplitude of this wave of pressure can reach up to
200 MPa (2000 times the atmospheric pressure) while its duration is around one hundredth
of microsecond. This pressure wave is transmitted to the rock by the fluid inside the
wellbore, and will create micro-cracks of decreasing density, according to the distance from
the well (Chen 2012; Martin, Reess et al. 2012a; Martin, Reess et al. 2012b).
Rationale
This technique would allow fracturing of the rock without any use of fracturing fluids (and
hence no chemical additives).
(Kalaydjian and Goff 2012) report that in 2011 Total commissioned research on this
technique, and concluded that the technology is not a currently viable alternative to
hydraulic fracturing. One major problem seems to be that rock permeability is increased only
up to several meters from the wellbore, but no further. The authors also conclude that the
technique would require management of electrical installations on the surface and that the
environmental consequences of this remain to be studied.
Potential advantages and disadvantages
Potential advantages
- Potential environmental advantages:
a. Water usage much reduced or completely eliminated.
b. Few or no chemical additives are required.
Potential disadvantages
- Limited capability of increase rock permeability away from the wellbore.
- Proppant not carried into the fracture.
- Can only replace hydraulic fracturing only for small to medium treatments, i.e. the fracture
penetration is somewhat limited.
REFERENCE:

[Link]
%20overview%20of%20hydraulic%20fracturing%20and%20other%20stimulation
%20technologies%20(2).pdf
[Link]
Geomaterials_Subjected_to_Dynamic_Loads

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