Alkanolamine Borate Crosslinkers for Polysaccharide Fracturing Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic fracturing fluids using inorganic borate crosslinkers are pressure and shear sensitive, leading to viscosity decreases and poor proppant distribution, and have low water solubility, which complicates hydraulic fracturing operations.
Innovation Solution
The use of pre-reacted, hydrolytically stable, and highly water-soluble organic alkanolamine borates as crosslinkers in fracturing fluids, such as those containing polysaccharides, which are formed by specific reactions between boric acid and alkanolamines, providing improved stability and solubility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inorganic borate crosslinkers are used in fracturing fluids, then crosslinking function is achieved, but pressure and shear sensitivity increases leading to viscosity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the crosslinker from inorganic borate to organic alkanolamine borate. This parameter change fundamentally alters the crosslinking mechanism to be less sensitive to pressure and shear conditions, thereby maintaining viscosity stability while achieving the required crosslinking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite crosslinking system by combining alkanolamine and borate components. This composite approach produces a crosslinker with integrated properties that provide both effective crosslinking and reduced sensitivity to operational conditions, resolving the contradiction between crosslinking function and viscosity stability.
2Reliability
If inorganic borate crosslinkers are used in fracturing fluids, then crosslinking is achieved, but water solubility remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing organic alkanolamine groups into the borate crosslinker structure. This parameter modification dramatically improves water solubility while retaining the crosslinking capability, as the organic components enhance compatibility with aqueous fracturing fluid systems.
3Reliability
If inorganic borate crosslinkers are used, then crosslinking function is provided, but temperature sensitivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the thermal stability parameters by replacing inorganic borate with organic alkanolamine borate. This chemical parameter change results in a crosslinker that maintains its crosslinking function across a broader temperature range, reducing temperature sensitivity and improving overall temperature stability in the fracturing fluid system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The alkanolamine borates reduce pressure and shear sensitivity, maintaining viscosity stability at elevated temperatures and pressures, enabling more efficient hydraulic fracturing with improved proppant distribution and compatibility with higher TDS or seawater.
Implementation Method 1
Organic alkanolamine borates are used as crosslinkers for fracturing fluids, for example polysaccharide-containing fracturing fluids
Implementation Method 2
pre-reacted, substantially hydrolytically stable, and highly water soluble, discrete single compounds (organic alkanolamine borate compounds)
Data Source
AI summary
A method for formulating a hydraulic fracturing fluid composition with increased viscosity and resistance to degradation at increased temperature and pressure. The method includes preparing an alkanolamine borate formulation compatible for mixing with a hydraulic fracturing fluid comprising polysaccharides; preparing the hydraulic fracturing fluid comprising polysaccharides; and mixing the alkanolamine borate formulation with the hydraulic fracturing fluid, such that the alkanolamine borate formulation causes crosslinking of the hydraulic fracturing fluid.