The goal of this project is to develop a closed-loop fracture diagnostic and modeling workflow based on novel Smart MicroChip Sensor technology to better characterize propped fracture geometry in real time and develop and field test fine size and wirelessly powered smart MicroChip Proppants. Predominant aims are to offer precision diagnostics of hydraulic fractures with a novel high-resolution imaging technology based on smart microchip proppants and improve the accuracy and predictability of state-of-the-art integrated analytical, numerical and machine learning modeling techniques.

University of Kansas Center for Research - Lawrence, KS 66045

This joint multidisciplinary effort offers precision diagnostics of hydraulic fractures with novel high-resolution imaging technology based on smart microchip proppants while improving the accuracy and predictability of state of the art integrated analytical, numerical and machine learning modeling techniques. The technology will be designed to address critical gaps in understanding of unconventional shale reservoir behavior and optimal well completion strategies in order to enable more cost-efficient unconventional resource recovery. In this study, the project team envisions a closed-loop fracture diagnostic and modeling architecture for enhancing fracture design and optimizing well spacing. The innovative element of this battery-less sensor technology includes real-time, cost-efficient, high resolution and “direct” fracture mapping with varying microchip sizes that match different proppants sizes (as small as 100 mesh size). If successful, it could enable better interpretation of other indirect diagnostic tools that are being used today for the hydraulic fracture characterization. This study supports DOE objectives by providing advanced technology to operators to maximize the efficacy of recovery from unconventional resources while minimizing the environmental footprints by optimizing the well spacing and improving completion design.

This project offers an innovative and breakthrough technology for improved subsurface characterization, visualization, and diagnostics of unconventional reservoirs (fossil resources). The technology addresses critical gaps in understanding of unconventional shale reservoir behavior and optimal well completion strategies in order to enable more cost-efficient unconventional resource recovery. 

Build and calibrate novel Smart MicroChip Sensor:

• Demonstrated successful Coherent Radiation from a Swarm of Chips operating in GHz range.  A new technique for enhancing range and signal to noise ratio was developed.  This new technique synchronizes a swarm of sensor nodes at the RF domain and produces coherent radiation from the sensor nodes to increase the amplitude of the reflected signal.
• Designed a 40MHz wirelessly powered tag to increase the depth of penetration

Successful laboratory testing of the Smart MicroChip proppants functionality and transport including the following:

• Successful energy harvesting of Smart Microchips and communication with the downhole tool in lab environment verification
• Smart Microchips functionality verification
• Coherent power combining verification
• Smart proppants transport and imaging capability tested
• MicroChips functionality verification at the high temperature of 250 ℃ (482 ℉)
   

Laboratory testing is almost completed.  Once the laboratory testing is completed, a field trial will be conducted.   The developed smart Microchips are expected to interface with existing indirect hydraulic fracturing diagnostics to improve understanding of hydraulic fracture geometry.

$2,490,639

$1,000,000

NETL – David Cercone (david.cercone@netl.doe.gov, 412-386-6571)
University of Kansas Center for Research – Amirmasoud Dahaghi (masoud@ku.edu, 785-864-6728)