Boric Acid Slurry for Subterranean Crosslinker Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for delivering crosslinkers to subterranean formations require large volumes and high costs due to limited solubility and logistical challenges, and existing viscosifiers often require bulk transportation and are not stable under formation conditions.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous crosslinker slurry compositions containing boric acid and a pH adjusting agent are used to create a treatment fluid with a boron concentration of 1.7% or greater by weight, combined with a viscosifier and aqueous medium, allowing for a more concentrated and stable delivery system that reduces transportation needs and enhances crosslinking properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional crosslinker delivery methods are used, then crosslinking function is achieved, but large volumes and high transportation costs are required due to limited solubility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of the crosslinker solution from conventional low concentrations to a highly concentrated aqueous slurry with boron at 1.7% or greater by weight. This parameter change reduces the volume of solution required for effective crosslinking, thereby reducing transportation costs and logistical complexity while maintaining the crosslinking function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If existing viscosifiers are used, then viscosity is achieved, but bulk transportation is required and stability under formation conditions is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the concentration and composition parameters of the aqueous crosslinker slurry, achieving a highly concentrated formulation (1.7% or greater boron by weight) that is stable under subterranean formation conditions. This eliminates the need for bulk transportation of dilute solutions and ensures compositional stability during transport and application.
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 solution provides a cost-effective, stable, and efficient method for treating subterranean formations by minimizing the volume of solution required, maintaining viscosity under varying temperature and pressure conditions, and allowing for lower material usage at the wellsite, thereby optimizing fracturing fluid performance.
Implementation Method 1
The crosslinkers are selected for their ability to encourage crosslinking of the viscosifier depending upon the formation conditions and viscosifier properties
Implementation Method 2
combining the composition with a mixture comprising a viscosifier and aqueous medium to form a treatment fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A method and composition for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore including preparing an aqueous composition containing a source of boron, whereby boron is present in the slurry in an amount of about 1.7% or greater, by weight, based upon a total weight of the composition, combining the composition with a mixture comprising a viscosifier and aqueous medium to form a treatment fluid, wherein the composition is added to the mixture in an amount of about 0.5% or less, by volume, based upon a total volume of the treatment fluid, and contacting the formation with the treatment fluid to treat the formation. The source of boron may be boric acid.