Anionic Polymer Neutralization for Oil Recovery Injectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current polymers used in enhanced oil recovery techniques often suffer from poor injectivity and mobility, leading to plugging of subterranean formations and reduced oil recovery due to microgel formation, which increases injection pressure and blocks targeted oil-bearing areas.
Innovation Solution
The use of water-soluble, anionic polymers partially or totally neutralized with organic counter-ions, with molecular weights between 1 million and 20 million, which are designed to avoid microgel formation and improve biodegradability, enhancing injectivity and sweep efficiency in tertiary oil recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional polymers are used in enhanced oil recovery, then oil displacement capability is improved, but injectivity deteriorates due to microgel formation and plugging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymer by neutralizing carboxylic acid groups with organic amines to form quaternary ammonium salts. This parameter change transforms the polymer from forming microgels to forming soluble complexes, thereby improving injectivity while maintaining oil recovery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite structure by combining polymer chains with organic amine counter-ions. This composite approach forms quaternary ammonium salt complexes that prevent microgel formation while maintaining the polymer's viscosity-enhancing and oil-displacing properties
2Productivity
If polymer concentration is increased to improve oil displacement, then sweep efficiency is improved, but injection pressure increases due to plugging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameter of the polymer solution by introducing quaternary ammonium salts, which change the solution's interaction with formation pores. This allows higher polymer concentrations to be injected without proportional increases in injection pressure, thereby improving sweep efficiency
3Productivity
If synthetic polymers are used to enhance oil recovery, then oil displacement is improved, but biodegradability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by replacing traditional synthetic polymer structures with polymers containing quaternary ammonium salts derived from biodegradable organic amines. This parameter change maintains oil recovery effectiveness while introducing biodegradability as the polymer can be broken down by microorganisms in the environment
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention refers to the use of anionic water-soluble polymers being partially or totally neutralized with an organic counter-ion for oil filed application, especially tertiary oil recovery steps.