• It can improve the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV) and the fracture complexity by creating multiple fracture networks in different orientations and planes.
• It can reduce the water consumption and the environmental impact by using less fracturing fluid and avoiding excessive fluid loss or leakage.
• It can optimize the fracture conductivity and permeability by controlling the particle size, shape, density, and degradation rate of the temporary plugging agent.
• It can adapt to various reservoir conditions and fracturing designs by adjusting the composition, concentration, injection rate, and sequence of the temporary plugging agent.

Intelligent fracturing temporary plugging agent works by following four main steps:

• Injection: The temporary plugging agent is mixed with the fracturing fluid and injected into the wellbore at a certain pressure and rate.
• Plugging: The temporary plugging agent forms a plugging structure in the initial fractures by bridging, jamming, or filtering mechanisms. The plugging structure has a higher strength and resistance than the surrounding rock matrix, which blocks the fluid flow and increases the wellbore pressure or net pressure.
• Diverting: The increased pressure forces the fracturing fluid to divert to other positions where the stress state is lower or where there are existing natural fractures. The diverting process creates new fractures or activates natural fractures in different directions and planes, enhancing the SRV and fracture complexity.
• Degradation: The temporary plugging agent is degraded or broken by various mechanisms, such as temperature, pH, enzymes, or oxidizers, depending on its composition and design. The degradation process removes the plugging structure and restores the fracture conductivity and permeability, allowing the gas to flow back from the stimulated reservoir.

Intelligent fracturing temporary plugging agent is a novel and promising technology that can improve the performance and sustainability of hydraulic fracturing in gas shales. It can create large and complex fracture networks by using a composite material that can form and remove a temporary plugging structure in the initial fractures. It can also adapt to various reservoir conditions and fracturing designs by adjusting its composition, concentration, injection rate, and sequence. Intelligent fracturing temporary plugging agent is a valuable tool for enhancing gas recovery from unconventional resources.