Associative Polymer Fluid with Clay Nanoparticles for High-Temperature Proppant Suspension

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fracturing fluids with associative polymers are limited by low thermal stability, making them unsuitable for use in wells above 200° F, as they lose gelling capability and fail to effectively suspend proppants at elevated temperatures.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating clay nanoparticles into fracturing fluids with associative polymers to enhance thermal stability, allowing the polymers to maintain viscosity and suspend proppants effectively at higher temperatures by interacting with the polymer network and improving surface interactions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If associative polymers are used in fracturing fluids, then proppant suspension capability is improved, but thermal stability deteriorates at temperatures above 200° F

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproppant suspension capabilityVSAvoidthermal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines associative polymers with clay nanoparticles to create a composite fracturing fluid system. The clay nanoparticles serve as a thermal stabilizer that works synergistically with the associative polymer, allowing the fluid to maintain proppant suspension capability at high temperatures where the polymer alone would fail. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by integrating two materials with complementary properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Strength

If associative polymers are used to suspend proppants, then viscosity is improved for proppant transport, but thermal degradation occurs above 200° F

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid viscosityVSAvoidthermal stability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clay nanoparticles act as an intermediary substance that stabilizes the associative polymer at high temperatures. The nanoparticles interact with the polymer chains, preventing thermal degradation and maintaining the polymer's viscoelastic properties. This intermediary protection allows the fluid to maintain adequate viscosity for proppant transport even in high-temperature wells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If fracturing fluid temperature increases, then hydrocarbon recovery potential improves, but proppant settling increases due to polymer degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon recoveryVSAvoidfluid composition stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

By formulating a composite system with associative polymers and clay nanoparticles, the patent enables the fracturing fluid to operate effectively at elevated temperatures required for high hydrocarbon recovery. The clay component prevents polymer degradation, maintaining fluid composition stability and preventing proppant settling even when the fluid is pumped at high temperatures to maximize hydrocarbon extraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 combination of associative polymers and clay nanoparticles extends the thermal stability of fracturing fluids, enabling effective proppant suspension and fracture creation or extension in wells above 200° F, improving hydrocarbon recovery by maintaining fluid viscosity and preventing proppant settling.

Implementation Method 1

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal stability enhancement through nanoparticle-polymer interaction:

Implementation Method 2

Associative polymers may exhibit some gelling capability or viscoelasticity which may help suspend the proppant in solution and allow the transport of proppant into the vertical fractures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProppant suspension through viscous forces: Suspension

Implementation Method 3

Associative polymers may exhibit some gelling capability or viscoelasticity which may help suspend the proppant in solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Implementation Method 4

The high pressure may cause the formation to fracture and may allow the fracturing fluid to enter the fractures created in the formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFracture creation through high-pressure fluid injection: Fracture Mechanics

Implementation Method 5

The vertical component is governed by factors that include the particle settling velocity of the proppant and is a function of proppant diameter and density as well as fluid viscosity and density

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectParticle settling velocity reduction through increased fluid viscosity: Stokes Drift

Data Source

PatentUS11608724B2Associative polymer fluid with clay nanoparticles for proppant suspension

Publication Date: 2023.03.21 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Provided herein are methods systems and compositions of a fracturing fluid comprising an associative polymer and clay nanoparticles. A method may comprise: providing a fracturing fluid comprising: a carrier fluid; an associative polymer; and clay nanoparticles; and injecting the fracturing fluid into a subterranean formation at or above a fracture gradient.