Colloidal Silica Gelation for High-Temperature Flow Path Blocking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for blocking fast flow paths in geological formations are ineffective at high temperatures and have limited gel times, leading to channeling issues in oil recovery and geothermal energy production, and are not suitable for deep wells or steam-flood operations.

Innovation Solution

A system using colloidal silica solutions that transform from a nonviscous phase to a solid gel phase within geological formations, blocking fast flow paths and altering permeability, with the gelation time adjusted by silica content, colloid size, salinity, and pH to achieve desired results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional gel-based fluid diversion techniques are used, then short-term plugging of high permeability zones is achieved, but the treatment fails at temperatures exceeding 100°C and has limited gel time control

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of pluggingVSAvoidreservoir temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the treatment composition by using colloidal silica instead of conventional gel polymers. Colloidal silica maintains its plugging effectiveness at high temperatures (exceeding 100°C) where conventional gels fail, directly resolving the temperature limitation contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a composite treatment composition containing colloidal silica particles suspended in a carrier fluid with controlled pH and ionic strength. This composite material provides both temperature stability and adjustable gelation properties, simultaneously improving reliability at high temperatures while enabling extended treatment time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If gel-based diversion techniques are used, then high permeability zones are plugged, but the gel time is limited to less than 12 hours severely limiting effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplugging effectivenessVSAvoidgel time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by using colloidal silica with controlled particle size, concentration, pH, and ionic strength. These parameter adjustments enable gelation times to be extended from the conventional less than 12 hours to several days, allowing the treatment to reach distant high permeability zones while maintaining plugging effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If treatment composition is pumped from wellbore, then fluid diversion is achieved, but the composition gels after short distance regardless of reservoir temperature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid diversionVSAvoidpumping distance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts critical parameters including pH (3-10), ionic strength (0.01-1.0 M), and colloidal silica concentration (1-40%) to control gelation kinetics. These parameter changes enable the treatment composition to remain pumpable for extended distances (hundreds of feet) even in high temperature reservoirs, allowing effective treatment of distant high permeability zones.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If conventional cementing or blocking materials are used, then fast flow paths are blocked, but the materials are ineffective at high temperatures and have limited adaptability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveblocking effectivenessVSAvoidtemperature range suitability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal treatment composition based on colloidal silica that functions across a wide temperature range (from ambient to exceeding 100°C) and in various geological formations. This multi-functional material can be adapted to different pH conditions and ionic strengths, providing both blocking effectiveness and broad adaptability to different reservoir conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Effectively blocks fast flow paths, enhancing energy production in geothermal systems, improving oil recovery, and preventing fluid loss and leakage, while being stable at high temperatures and suitable for long-term use.

Implementation Method 1

preparing a solution of colloidal silica having a nonviscous phase and a solid gel phase. The solution of colloidal silica is injected into the geological formations while the solution of colloidal silica is in the nonviscous phase. The solution of colloidal silica is directed into the fast flow paths and transforms into the solid gel phase in the fast flow paths thereby blocking flow of fluid in the fast paths.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGelation: Gel

Data Source

PatentUS9909052B2Using colloidal silica as isolator, diverter and blocking agent for subsurface geological applications

Publication Date: 2018.03.06 LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NAT SECURITY LLC

AI summary

A system for blocking fast flow paths in geological formations includes preparing a solution of colloidal silica having a nonviscous phase and a solid gel phase. The solution of colloidal silica is injected into the geological formations while the solution of colloidal silica is in the nonviscous phase. The solution of colloidal silica is directed into the fast flow paths and reaches the solid gel phase in the fast flow paths thereby blocking flow of fluid in the fast paths.