Aliphatic Azo Breakers for Low-Temperature Viscosity Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current breaker technologies for viscosified treatment fluids in oil and gas production, particularly those using synthetic polymers, are ineffective at low temperatures and sensitive to natural brines containing salts and organic residues, leading to inefficient viscosity reduction and potential equipment corrosion.

Innovation Solution

The use of aliphatic azo compounds as breakers in viscosified treatment fluids, which interact with the polymers to significantly reduce viscosity, especially in fluids from natural sources with high salt concentrations and organic residues, while being tolerant to chloride and dissolved organics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional breaker technologies are used, then viscosity reduction is achieved, but effectiveness is poor at low temperatures and in high salt concentrations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreaker effectivenessVSAvoidtemperature and salt tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the breaker system by using aliphatic azo compounds instead of conventional breakers. This chemical substitution enables the breaker to function effectively at low temperatures (below 90°C) and in high salt concentrations (up to 200,000 ppm chloride), resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability to extreme conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs a composite breaker system consisting of aliphatic azo compounds combined with specific catalysts (transition metal salts or enzymes). This composite approach enhances the breaker's effectiveness across varying temperature and salinity conditions, allowing reliable viscosity reduction in environments where conventional single-component breakers fail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If oxidative breakers are used, then viscosity reduction is achieved, but equipment corrosion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviscosity reduction efficiencyVSAvoidequipment corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical mechanism from strong oxidation to controlled decomposition catalyzed by aliphatic azo compounds. This parameter change maintains high viscosity reduction efficiency while eliminating the corrosive effects associated with conventional oxidative breakers, protecting downhole equipment from damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the previously harmful oxidative mechanism into a beneficial controlled decomposition process. The aliphatic azo compounds provide the necessary chemical activity for viscosity reduction without the harmful corrosive byproducts, effectively turning a harmful chemical pathway into a safe and efficient one.

Inventive Principle:

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

3Temperature

If natural based polymers are used, then fluid viscosity is achieved, but stability decreases at elevated temperatures and acidic conditions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidpolymer stability

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses composite polymer systems combining natural based polymers with synthetic stabilizing agents or crosslinkers. This composite structure allows the polymer to maintain its viscosity-enhancing properties while gaining resistance to thermal degradation and acidic conditions through the stabilizing components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The invention modifies the polymer's chemical parameters through controlled crosslinking or grafting with temperature-resistant groups. These parameter changes enable the polymer to withstand elevated temperatures and acidic environments without losing its viscosifying capability, resolving the contradiction between temperature stability and composition stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Aliphatic azo compounds effectively degrade polymers, reducing viscosity by up to 90% within 2 hours at temperatures below 90°C, even in challenging conditions, without affecting the fluid's pH and minimizing equipment corrosion, thus enhancing the efficiency and reliability of oil and gas production processes.

Implementation Method 1

a breaker system containing an aliphatic azo-compound as breaker, mixing the viscosified treatment fluid and the breaker composition and allowing the viscosified treatment fluid and the breaker composition to interact whereby the viscosity of the viscosified treatment is reduced

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDecomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentUS10934479B2Method for reducing the viscosity of viscosified fluids for applications in natural gas and oil fields

Publication Date: 2021.03.02 TOUGAS HOLDING GMBH

AI summary

A method to reduce the viscosity of viscosified treatment fluids is disclosed herein. The method includes a water soluble polymer, a breaker system containing at least one aliphatic azo-compound, mixing the viscosified treatment fluid and the breaker composition and allowing the viscosified treatment fluid and the breaker composition to interact whereby the viscosity of the viscosified treatment is reduced. The application of the process in the production of oil and gas and to the treatment fluids is also discussed.