Aqueous Epoxy Microemulsion for Wellbore Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aqueous-based epoxy resin emulsions used in hydrocarbon producing wells are thermodynamically unstable, leading to coalescence of emulsion droplets, which reduces their ability to penetrate tight formations and poses safety concerns due to reduced flash points from organic solvents.
Innovation Solution
A microemulsified resin additive is introduced, comprising a continuous aqueous phase and a discontinuous resin phase with micelles of 200 nanometers or less, stabilized by surfactants, which enhances penetration and stability, and can be foamable for deeper formation access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If aqueous-based epoxy resin emulsions are used, then flash point is increased and safety is improved, but emulsion droplets coalesce over time reducing penetration ability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the thermodynamically unstable emulsion into a stable microemulsion by changing the droplet size parameter to nanometer scale (200 nm or less) and adjusting the surfactant concentration parameters. This parameter transformation resolves the contradiction by achieving both high flash point and long-term stability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses surfactants as intermediary substances to stabilize the microemulsion droplets at nanometer scale. The surfactant acts as a mediator between the aqueous phase and resin phase, preventing coalescence while maintaining the safety benefits of aqueous-based formulation.
2Ease of operation
If organic solvents are used to decrease viscosity, then ease of handling and pumping is improved, but flash point is reduced raising safety concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces organic solvent-based systems with aqueous-based microemulsion, changing the continuous phase composition parameter. This substitution maintains workability while eliminating the safety hazard of low flash point, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and safety.
3Length of moving object
If emulsion droplet size is reduced to improve penetration, then ability to penetrate tight formations is improved, but stability decreases leading to coalescence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the droplet size parameter from micrometer scale to nanometer scale (200 nm or less), which fundamentally alters the thermodynamic behavior. At this nanoscale, the system achieves both small size for penetration and enhanced stability, resolving the contradiction between droplet size reduction and stability maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from conventional emulsion to microemulsion by moving to a different dimensional regime (nanometer scale). This dimensional transition creates a new state matter with fundamentally different stability characteristics, allowing simultaneous achievement of small size and stability.
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples a method of well treatment may comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising a microemulsified resin additive, wherein the microemulsified resin additive comprises a continuous phase and a discontinuous phase, wherein the continuous phase comprises an aqueous liquid, wherein the discontinuous phase is in form of micelles of about 200 nm or less in diameter and comprises a resin; introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore; and allowing the treatment fluid to set in the subterranean formation.