Biopolymer Composite Additive for Water-Sensitive Formation Stabilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Aqueous-based treatment fluids can adversely affect water-sensitive subterranean formations, such as shale, leading to issues like swelling and sloughing, and there is a need for effective additives to mitigate these effects while maintaining desirable fluid properties like rheology and low fluid loss.

Innovation Solution

An aqueous-based treatment fluid comprising a biopolymer matrix and a polymer with nitrogen-containing functional groups is introduced, which forms a synergistic effect to enhance shale retention and reduce fluid loss, acting as a stabilizer and rheology modifier.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If aqueous-based treatment fluids are used, then the treatment fluid can be introduced into the wellbore, but the water-sensitive subterranean formation is adversely affected leading to swelling and sloughing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintroduction of treatment fluidVSAvoidswelling and sloughing of formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A biopolymer composite additive acts as an intermediary between the aqueous treatment fluid and the water-sensitive formation. The additive includes a biopolymer matrix (such as xanthan gum or guar gum) combined with specific polymers (polyethyleneimine, polyacrylamide, or polyallylamine) that chemically react with water-reactive components in the formation, preventing direct harmful interaction between the aqueous fluid and the formation, thereby eliminating swelling and sloughing while allowing the treatment fluid to be introduced

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite material system consisting of biopolymer matrix combined with nitrogen-containing polymers. This composite additive provides synergistic effects where the biopolymer matrix provides rheological modification and the nitrogen-containing polymers provide chemical stabilization by reacting with water-reactive minerals, thus protecting the formation while maintaining fluid functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If shale stabilizers and fluid loss additives are added, then adverse effects on water-sensitive formation are prevented, but the fluid properties and rheology must be maintained

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadverse effects on formationVSAvoidfluid composition complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple functions into a single additive package. The biopolymer composite simultaneously provides shale stabilization through chemical reaction with water-reactive components, fluid loss control through gel structure formation, and rheology modification. This consolidation reduces the number of separate additives needed while maintaining all necessary functions, simplifying the overall fluid composition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If biopolymer composite additive is used, then shale retention is enhanced and fluid loss is reduced, but the additive composition must be optimized

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshale retention and fluid loss controlVSAvoidadditive composition optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention specifies particular parameter ranges for optimal performance: biopolymer content of 5-50% of total additive weight, nitrogen-containing polymer content of 50-95%, and molecular weights within specific ranges. These parameter definitions provide clear guidance for formulation while ensuring reliable shale retention (>90%) and fluid loss control, reducing the complexity of optimization by establishing definitive performance windows

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 treatment fluid achieves high shale retention values (>90%) and low fluid loss, effectively stabilizing water-sensitive formations and maintaining desired rheological properties, with the nitrogen-containing polymers chemically reacting with water-reactive components to prevent adverse effects.

Implementation Method 1

the nitrogen-containing polymers chemically reacting with water-reactive components to prevent adverse effects

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

which forms a synergistic effect to enhance shale retention and reduce fluid loss

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSynergistic effect:

Implementation Method 3

An aqueous-based treatment fluid comprising a biopolymer matrix and a polymer with nitrogen-containing functional groups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectComposite material formation: Composite Materials

Implementation Method 4

acting as a stabilizer and rheology modifier

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRheology modification:

Data Source

PatentUS10544348B2Biopolymer composite for water-based treatment fluids

Publication Date: 2020.01.28 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

An aqueous-based treatment fluid comprising: a base fluid, wherein the base fluid comprises water; and an additive, wherein the additive comprises a biopolymer matrix and a compound comprising a functional group containing nitrogen, A method of using the aqueous-based treatment fluid comprising: introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore, wherein the wellbore penetrates a subterranean formation.