Charged Composite Materials for Clay Swelling Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wellbore formations composed of clay-based minerals often suffer from swelling when exposed to aqueous wellbore fluids, leading to damage during construction and production operations, as conventional clay stabilization compounds may not provide adequate protection.

Innovation Solution

The development of charged composite materials, comprising an inorganic component with magnesium and silicon, covalently bonded with primary or secondary amines, which are used in wellbore fluids to prevent clay-based materials from swelling by forming a strong film around the clay particles, thereby inhibiting hydration and swelling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional clay stabilization compounds are used, then some protection against swelling is provided, but adequate protection is not achieved and clay-based materials still swell when exposed to aqueous wellbore fluids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclay stabilization effectivenessVSAvoidclay swelling

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining inorganic components (magnesium silicate, brucite, or attapulgite) with organic components (amines with primary, secondary, or tertiary amino groups) to create a charged composite material. This composite structure provides superior clay stabilization effectiveness compared to conventional single-material inhibitors, as the inorganic component forms a protective film while the organic component provides electrostatic repulsion through charged amino groups, thereby preventing adequate protection achieved by conventional compounds alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure and charge characteristics of the stabilization compound. The organic component contains amino groups that can be protonated to form positively charged species, changing the electrostatic parameters of the inhibitor. This charged characteristic enhances the compound's ability to interact with negatively charged clay surfaces, improving stabilization effectiveness beyond conventional neutral or less-charged compounds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If aqueous wellbore fluids are used, then wellbore construction and production procedures can be performed, but the water hydrates and swells the clay-based minerals causing formation damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewellbore construction capabilityVSAvoidclay swelling and formation damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The charged composite material acts as an intermediary between the aqueous wellbore fluid and the clay-based formation materials. The inorganic component (magnesium silicate, brucite, or attapulgite) forms a protective film on the clay surface, while the organic component with charged amino groups provides electrostatic repulsion. This intermediary compound prevents direct interaction between water and clay minerals, allowing wellbore construction procedures to proceed without clay swelling and formation damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Stability of the object's composition

If clay-based materials are exposed to water, then hydration occurs leading to swelling, but this swelling damages the wellbore formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveclay mineral stabilityVSAvoidswelling-induced formation damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The charged composite material applies preliminary anti-action by pre-treating the clay-based formation materials before water exposure. The inorganic component forms a protective film on the clay surface, and the organic component with charged amino groups establishes electrostatic repulsion forces. This preliminary treatment prevents hydration-induced swelling from occurring, thereby protecting the wellbore formation from swelling-induced damage before the harmful effect can manifest.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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 charged composite materials effectively reduce or eliminate clay swelling, offering improved protection compared to conventional inhibitors, with enhanced crystallinity providing better stability and reduced environmental hazards.

Implementation Method 1

The organic component may be covalently bonded to the inorganic composite component

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCovalent bonding: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

the charged composite materials may be utilized to at least partially prevent clay-based materials from swelling during wellbore construction and production enhancement operations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS11242478B2Charged composite materials, methods of synthesizing, and methods of use

Publication Date: 2022.02.08 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to methods of producing charged composite materials. The method may include synthesizing a composite material and charging the composite material to produce a charged composite material. The composite material may include an inorganic composite component and an organic component. The organic component may include one or more primary or secondary amines. The organic component may be covalently bonded to the inorganic composite component. The charged composite material may be positively charged.