Amphiphilic Macromolecule for High-Temperature Oil Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional polymer flooding technologies face challenges in high temperature and high salinity reservoir conditions, where viscosifying capacity and thermal stability of polyacrylamide polymers are reduced, and the polymer-based composite systems suffer from emulsification stability issues and synergistic effect weakening, limiting oil recovery and complicating oil/water separation.
Innovation Solution
An amphiphilic macromolecule with specific structural units, including (meth)acrylamide and highly sterically hindered units, is developed to enhance molecular weight, charge characteristics, and surface activity, improving viscosifying capacity and stability under harsh conditions, and facilitating effective oil displacement and viscosity reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If polyacrylamide polymer is used for conventional flooding, then the polymer system can be implemented for oil recovery, but under high temperature and high salinity reservoir conditions, the viscosifying capacity and thermal stability reduce rapidly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite system comprising polyacrylamide polymer, surfactant, and alkali metal hydroxide in specific proportions (polymer 5-20 g/L, surfactant 0.1-5 g/L, alkali 0.1-5 g/L). This composite formulation enhances thermal stability and viscosifying capacity under high temperature and salinity conditions compared to conventional single polymer systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes concentration parameters of polymer, surfactant, and alkali to achieve maximum stability under harsh conditions. By adjusting these parameters within specific ranges, the system maintains effective viscosity and emulsification capability at elevated temperatures and salinity levels.
2Stability of the object's composition
If polymer-based binary-component composite system (polymer/surfactant) or triple-component system (polymer/surfactant/alkali) is used, then the emulsification stability of crude oil produced fluid is enhanced, but the difficulty in oil/water separation and sewage treatment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully controls the concentration parameters of polymer, surfactant, and alkali within specific ranges to achieve optimal emulsification stability while managing separation challenges. The balanced formulation allows for controlled breakdown of emulsions during separation processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different functional zones within the fluid system - the polymer-surfactant-alkali composite provides emulsification stability in the reservoir, while allowing for controlled separation at production facilities through parameter adjustment and localized treatment.
3Reliability
If polymer-based composite system is used, then the synergistic effect between components is enhanced, but the synergistic effect weakens under reservoir conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a composite system where polyacrylamide polymer, surfactant, and alkali metal hydroxide work synergistically. The alkali enhances surfactant effectiveness and polymer stability, creating a robust system that maintains synergistic effects under high temperature reservoir conditions where conventional systems fail.
4Strength
If chemical viscosity reducer is used for heavy oil recovery, then the viscosity of heavy oil is reduced remarkably and flow resistance decreases, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the polymer-surfactant-alkali composite system to modify heavy oil viscosity through controlled chemical interactions. By adjusting concentrations and injection parameters, significant viscosity reduction is achieved while maintaining relatively simple injection and production processes.
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 amphiphilic macromolecule maintains viscosifying capacity and stability at high temperatures and salinity, effectively reducing heavy oil viscosity, enhancing oil recovery, and improving emulsification, thus optimizing oil displacement and reducing energy consumption and pollution.
Implementation Method 1
Chemical viscosity reducer can disperse and emulsify the heavy oil effectively, reduces the viscosity of the heavy oil remarkably
Implementation Method 2
Chemical viscosity reducer can disperse and emulsify the heavy oil effectively
Implementation Method 3
maintains viscosifying capacity and stability at high temperatures and salinity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The present invention provides an amphiphilic macromolecule and the use thereof. The amphiphilic macromolecules have structural units to adjust molecular weight and molecular weight distribution and charging property effects, high stereo-hindrance structural units, and amphiphilic structural units, are suitable for fields such as oil field well drilling, well cementation fracturing, oil gathering and transfer, sewage treatment, sludge treatment and papermaking, etc., and can be used as an oil-displacing agent for enhanced oil production, a heavy oil viscosity reducer, a fracturing fluid, a clay stabilizing agent, a sewage treatment agent, a papermaking retention and drainage aid or a reinforcing agent, etc.