Biodegradable Particle Barrier for Fluid Zone Interface Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for treating contaminating compounds in wellbores, such as asphaltene buildup, often result in solvent leaching away from the treatment area, reducing the effectiveness of the treatment and hindering hydrocarbon flow.

Innovation Solution

A temporary fluid barrier is created using biodegradable particles with specific dimensions and elasticity, coated with materials like silica, which can traverse high conductivity zones to form a barrier at the interface with lower conductivity areas, preventing solvent loss and allowing for effective contaminant removal without permanently obstructing hydrocarbon flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If a barrier layer is deployed to prevent treatment chemicals from leaching away from the wellbore, then solvent retention is improved, but the ability of hydrocarbons to flow into the wellbore is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolvent lossVSAvoidhydrocarbon flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier layer is designed to be temporary and biodegradable, transitioning from a blocking state during treatment to a degradable state that restores flow. The particles change from intact barrier-forming structures to degradable components over time, allowing the system to adapt from treatment mode to production mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier layer uses biodegradable particles that serve their purpose temporarily during solvent injection and then naturally degrade without requiring removal or intervention. This disposable approach eliminates the need for permanent barriers that would continuously impede hydrocarbon flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If chemical treatments are deployed into geologic formations with sufficient fluid conductivity, then contaminant removal effectiveness is improved, but the treatment chemical leaches away from the wellbore

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetreatment effectivenessVSAvoidsolvent leaching

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The biodegradable particles act as an intermediary barrier between the solvent and the geologic formation. They temporarily control solvent distribution, allowing effective contaminant treatment while preventing excessive leaching into the formation, then degrade to allow normal formation flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Loss of substance

If a permanent barrier is deployed to prevent solvent loss, then solvent retention is improved, but hydrocarbon flow is permanently obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolvent lossVSAvoidhydrocarbon flow

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The barrier transitions from a functional blocking state during treatment to a degrading state that restores permeability. The biodegradable particles naturally break down over time, converting the system from a blocked configuration to an open flow configuration without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The barrier layer's key parameter changes from intact particle structures that block flow to degraded states with increased permeability. The biodegradation process fundamentally alters the physical and chemical parameters of the barrier material, transforming it from an obstruction to a non-obstructive residue.

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

The biodegradable particles effectively inhibit solvent loss, allowing for complete contaminant removal and restoration of hydrocarbon flow by forming a temporary barrier that degrades over time, maintaining integrity and shape during exposure to solvents and temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

the particles may traverse the high conductivity zone and form a temporary barrier at the boundary with a lower conductivity area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical barrier formation: Physical Containment

Implementation Method 2

The biodegradable particles may have at least a first dimension greater than about 5 μm and a second dimension that is 2× or greater than the first dimension

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 3

biodegradable particles designed to traverse the high conductivity area and create a barrier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBiodegradation: Decomposition (biological)

Data Source

PatentUS11739248B2Temporary blockage of fluid boundary between higher and lower fluid conductivity formations

Publication Date: 2023.08.29 DPIP LLC

AI summary

Disclosed herein are compositions, processes, and systems for deploying and creating a temporary fluid barrier at an interface between a high fluid conductivity zone and a lower fluid conductivity zone. The disclosed compositions include mixtures of solvents and biodegradable non-spherical particles, wherein the particles include a coating that may slow or inhibit degradation, for example by hydrolysis, of the particle. The disclosed particles are designed to possess sufficient flexibility to traverse the high conductivity zone.