Composite Cement Permeation Agent for Hydrate Reservoirs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current oil well cementing technologies face challenges in enhancing permeability in hydrate layers, leading to reduced mining rates and increased production costs due to low initial permeability and strength degradation from existing permeation enhancement methods, which are not effective at low temperatures and can seal formation pores.
Innovation Solution
A composite permeation enhancement agent comprising kerosene, emulsifier, modified polypropylene fiber, porous and permeable microspheres, and paraffin, which forms an oil-in-water emulsion and uses high-strength microspheres to increase pore spaces and maintain formation strength, improving permeability and supporting fractures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional permeation enhancement methods are used to increase pore spaces in cement stone, then permeability is improved, but strength of cement stone deteriorates significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates porous and permeable microspheres (such as expanded perlite, expanded vermiculite, or hollow glass beads) with controlled pore structures into the cement slurry. These microspheres create interconnected pore channels that enhance permeability while their spherical geometry and distribution maintain structural integrity. The pore size and distribution are optimized to balance fluid flow pathways with mechanical strength requirements in hydrate reservoir conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention develops a composite cement system combining cement matrix with porous microspheres and permeation enhancement agents (such as metal oxides or ceramic particles). This composite structure creates a dual-function material where the cement provides structural strength and the porous additives create flow channels. The synergistic combination allows simultaneous achievement of high strength and high permeability, resolving the traditional trade-off between these properties.
2Reliability
If existing permeation enhancement agents are used, then permeability increases, but the method is not effective at low temperatures and can seal formation pores
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects permeation enhancement agents with specific physical and chemical parameters suited for low-temperature hydrate reservoirs. The porous microspheres are chosen with thermal stability, chemical inertness, and appropriate pore throat sizes that remain open at sub-zero temperatures. The cement slurry composition (water-cement ratio, admixtures) is optimized to ensure proper setting and permeability development in cold environments without sealing formation pores.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses readily available, cost-effective porous materials (such as expanded perlite, vermiculite, or hollow glass beads) that provide immediate permeability enhancement upon injection. These materials are designed to maintain their function throughout the operational life of the well, providing sustained permeability improvement without requiring complex or expensive specialized additives that may fail in low-temperature conditions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If cement slurry is injected to strengthen formation, then formation stability increases, but mining rate decreases due to reduced permeability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates porous and permeable microspheres into the cement slurry to create a cement matrix with built-in flow channels. These porous materials maintain formation stability through mechanical support while their interconnected pore networks provide continuous pathways for natural gas flow. The pore structure is designed to prevent formation collapse under mining-induced stress changes while maintaining high permeability for sustained productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite cement formulation that combines structural cement components with permeability-enhancing additives. This composite material simultaneously provides formation strengthening and permeability maintenance, allowing the cement to fulfill dual functions: stabilizing the formation framework against mining-induced instability and preserving flow channels for continuous gas production. The optimized composition ensures both stability and productivity are achieved together.
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 significantly increases the permeability of cement stone, exceeding the average hydrate reservoir permeability by over 20% while maintaining early strength for consolidation, reducing sand production and operational costs, and is environmentally friendly.
Implementation Method 1
The function of the kerosene and the emulsifier of T80 in the composition is to add into the water to form an oil-in-water emulsion
Implementation Method 2
10.0 parts-12.0 parts of porous and permeable microspheres
Implementation Method 3
The function of the paraffin is to temporarily seal the hollows of the porous and permeable microspheres before cement slurry solidification and then dissolved by the kerosene after solidification
Data Source
AI summary
An oil well cement composite permeation enhancement agent suitable for a hydrate layer and a preparation method thereof are disclosed. In parts by weight, the composition of raw materials of the composite permeation enhancement agent is 4.6 parts-5.0 parts of kerosene, 0.23 parts-0.25 parts of emulsifier, 0.8 parts-1.1 parts of modified polypropylene fiber, 10.0 parts-12.0 parts of porous and permeable microspheres, 1.0 part-1.2 parts of paraffin, and 57.5 parts-62.5 parts of water. The composite permeation enhancement agent can effectively improve the permeability of the cement stone which reshapes the formation framework and increase the mining rate of hydrate. The oil well cement composite permeation enhancement agent has the advantages of long-term performance, low cost, and green environmental protection. The composite permeation enhancement agent of the present invention does not need secondary treatment to increase permeation, the operation is convenient and fast, and the working time of holding pressure is reduced.