Colloidal Silica Coated Proppant for Fracture Conductivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current oil recovery methods face challenges in maintaining permeability and conductivity within proppant packs due to paraffin and scale deposition, leading to reduced hydrocarbon production and increased need for artificial lift in oil wells.

Innovation Solution

The use of colloidal silica nanoparticles in treatment fluids to deposit onto proppant surfaces, reducing paraffin and scale nucleation and enhancing fluid conductivity, thereby improving hydrocarbon recovery and reducing the need for artificial lift.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If proppant is added to maintain fracture conductivity, then permeability is improved, but paraffin and scale deposition occurs leading to reduced conductivity over time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture conductivityVSAvoidparaffin and scale deposition

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Colloidal silica nanoparticles are introduced as an intermediary substance that deposits onto proppant surfaces to form a protective coating. This coating acts as a mediator between the proppant and the harmful deposition processes, preventing paraffin and scale from adhering to the proppant while maintaining fracture conductivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The surface properties of proppant are modified by coating with colloidal silica, changing the surface energy and chemical composition parameters. This parameter change makes the proppant surface less prone to paraffin and scale adhesion, thereby maintaining conductivity over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If treatment fluids are used to prevent deposition, then conductivity is maintained, but fluid viscosity and pressure demands increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconductivity maintenanceVSAvoidpressure demands

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The colloidal silica coating is applied to proppant surfaces before the proppant is placed in the fracture. This preliminary protective action prevents deposition issues before they occur, eliminating the need for continuous high-pressure treatment fluids to maintain conductivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The colloidal silica-coated proppant provides self-protection against paraffin and scale deposition. The coating creates a surface that inherently resists adhesion of harmful substances, allowing the proppant to maintain conductivity without requiring additional energy-intensive intervention fluids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 deposition of colloidal silica nanoparticles on proppant surfaces mitigates paraffin and scale formation, maintaining permeability and conductivity, leading to increased hydrocarbon production and reduced operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

The deposition of colloidal silica nanoparticles on proppant surfaces mitigates paraffin and scale formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS11332659B2Enhanced oil recovery using treatment fluids comprising colloidal silica with a proppant

Publication Date: 2022.05.17 NISSAN CHEMICAL AMERICA CORP

AI summary

Provided herein are methods of increasing production from a hydrocarbon containing formation by adding a proppant to the formation, wherein a treatment fluid comprising a colloidal silica nanoparticle is added to the formation before, during or after the time the proppant is added to the formation.