Alkyl Polyglycoside Emulsion Stability in High Salinity Wells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing emulsions and microemulsions used in oil and gas wells are often incompatible with a wide range of temperatures and salinities found in subterranean formations, leading to phase separation and reduced efficacy in hydraulic fracturing and other well treatment processes.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising an aqueous phase, a surfactant such as alkyl polyglycoside, a solvent like terpene or alkyl aliphatic carboxylic acid ester, and an alcohol like butanol or amyl alcohol, which maintains stability and compatibility over a wide range of temperatures and salinities, preventing phase separation and enhancing the unloading of aqueous treatment fluids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional emulsions or microemulsions are used in well treatment fluids, then they can help unload residual aqueous treatment from the formation, but they are incompatible with a wide range of temperatures and salinities, leading to phase separation and reduced efficacy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with temperature and salinity rangeVSAvoidphase separation and treatment efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the emulsion system. Specifically, it uses alkyl polyglycoside surfactants with controlled hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) values, combines them with specific co-surfactants (terpenes, esters, alcohols), and adjusts the ratio of aqueous to oil phases to create emulsions that remain stable across wide temperature (0-150°C) and salinity (0-300,000 ppm TDS) ranges without phase separation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite materials by combining multiple components into a synergistic emulsion system: alkyl polyglycoside surfactants (C8-16) combined with co-surfactants (terpenes like d-limonene, esters like methyl aliphatic carboxylic acid esters, and alcohols like butanol or amyl alcohol). This composite formulation creates a robust emulsion that maintains stability and prevents phase separation under varying temperature and salinity conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If emulsions are added to well treatment fluids to reduce fluid invasion, then they can unload residual aqueous treatment from the formation, but they may create formation damage by blocking pore throats

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon production recoveryVSAvoidformation damage from pore throat blocking

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating emulsions with specific local properties tailored for formation interaction. The alkyl polyglycoside-based emulsions have localized surfactant concentrations and droplet size distributions optimized to reduce interfacial tension at pore throat interfaces, enabling them to displace residual aqueous phases without creating blocking deposits. The emulsion droplets are designed to be small enough to navigate pore throats while maintaining stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of fluid invasion into a benefit by using the emulsion's aqueous phase to carry beneficial surfactants that actively prevent formation damage. The emulsion structure allows the aqueous component to penetrate and unload residual treatment fluids from pore throats, while the surfactant layer prevents unwanted adsorption and blockage, turning what could be harmful fluid invasion into a beneficial cleaning mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 described emulsions and microemulsions demonstrate improved stability and performance, maintaining low turbidity and efficacy across varying conditions, effectively reducing capillary pressure and promoting hydrocarbon production in challenging well environments.

Implementation Method 1

a surfactant comprising alkyl polyglycoside

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

effectively reducing capillary pressure and promoting hydrocarbon production

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary pressure: Capillary Pressure

Data Source

PatentUS10421707B2Methods and compositions incorporating alkyl polyglycoside surfactant for use in oil and/or gas wells

Publication Date: 2019.09.24 FLOTEK CHEMISTRY LLC

AI summary

Methods and compositions comprising an emulsion or a microemulsion for use treating an oil and/or gas well are provided. In some embodiments, the emulsion or the microemulsion comprises an aqueous phase, a solvent, a surfactant comprising alkyl polyglycoside, an alcohol, and, optionally, one or more additives.