Branched Polyhydroxyetheramine Acid Diversion for Reservoir Permeability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for increasing crude oil recovery from subterranean hydrocarbon-containing formations face challenges due to reduced permeability and water invasion, which are not effectively addressed by current acid diversion agents, particularly in terms of environmental friendliness and ease of application.
Innovation Solution
Injecting a water-soluble or dispersible branched polyhydroxyetheramine composition in conjunction with an acid solution into the well to create wormholes and divert the acid into less permeable zones, thereby increasing the rock's porosity and oil mobility, using a clear, low-viscosity acid diversion agent that does not damage the wellbore or formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If acid solution is injected to dissolve particles and improve permeability, then oil mobility increases, but acid follows path of least resistance and does not contact less permeable zones adequately
Solution Approach 1:
A diversion agent is introduced as an intermediary substance that modifies the flow behavior of the acid solution. The diversion agent causes the acid to divert from high-permeability zones to low-permeability zones, ensuring more uniform distribution of acid across the formation and improving contact with less permeable areas that would otherwise be bypassed by the acid following the path of least resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The diversion agent creates local variations in fluid flow properties within the formation. By modifying the rheological characteristics of the acid solution locally through the diversion agent, the system achieves non-uniform flow distribution that targets specific low-permeability zones, allowing the acid to effectively treat areas that would normally be inaccessible.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional acid diversion agents are used, then acid diversion is achieved, but environmental harm and equipment damage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The diversion agent is designed to be biodegradable and environmentally benign, replacing conventional diversion agents that cause environmental harm. The agent performs its function of diverting acid to low-permeability zones and then degrades naturally, eliminating long-term environmental damage and equipment corrosion issues associated with traditional chemicals.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts potentially harmful substances into beneficial ones by using environmentally friendly, biodegradable materials as diversion agents. These substances effectively divert acid to target zones while their inherent biodegradability and low toxicity transform them from potential environmental hazards into safe, temporary flow modifiers that leave no lasting harmful effects.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex acid diversion agents are used, then acid diversion into low permeability zones is achieved, but application complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The diversion agent allows for simple parameter adjustments in the acid solution formulation to achieve effective diversion. By modifying basic properties such as concentration, viscosity, or chemical composition parameters of the acid-diversion agent mixture, the system can effectively target different low-permeability zones without requiring complex application procedures or specialized equipment.
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 method effectively increases the permeability of the rock formation, allowing the acid to contact a larger area, leading to enhanced crude oil production and improved well productivity by diverting the acid into areas of lower permeability, while being environmentally friendly and non-damaging to equipment.
Implementation Method 1
injecting an acid and a water-soluble alkylene oxide branched polyhydroxyetheramine composition into a well to divert the acid into regions of the formation that are less permeable to the acid
Implementation Method 2
an acidic fluid can be injected into the well where some of the particles and some of the rock in the formation are partially soluble in this acidic fluid. Thus, this well stimulation method can cause these particles and rock to partially dissolve, and make the rock of the formation more porous
Implementation Method 3
The method improves permeability in the wellbore area by creating large flow channels called wormholes
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for acid diversion in a hydrocarbon-containing subterranean formation are disclosed. The methods include injecting an acid diversion agent comprising a water-soluble or dispersible branched polyhydroxyetheramine and injecting an acidic solution into a well which is in contact with the hydrocarbon-containing subterranean formation. Preferably, the acid solution is diverted toward a zone of the formation that has a lower permeability to fluid than an adjacent zone. This process improves the permeability of the hydrocarbon-containing subterranean formation to hydrocarbons, while decreasing the permeability of the formation to water or brine.