Composite Diverting Particles for Subterranean Fluid Flow Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for diverting well treatment fluids away from high permeability zones in subterranean formations are ineffective at high and low temperatures, leading to fluid loss and reduced hydrocarbon recovery.
Innovation Solution
The use of diverting particles comprising a mixture of Compounds I and II, which are suspended in a fluid and designed to temporarily increase resistance to fluid flow in high permeability zones by degrading in aqueous or hydrocarbon environments, thereby diverting fluids to low permeability zones throughout a temperature range of 80° F. to 450° F.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional diverting agents are used in high temperature zones, then fluid diversion is achieved at low temperatures, but the agents fail to maintain effectiveness at high temperatures (above 200°F)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite diverting particles comprising a hydrophobic core material coated with a hydrophilic polymer layer. This composite structure enables the particles to maintain structural integrity at high temperatures while the hydrophilic coating provides temperature-responsive behavior. The core-shell composite design allows the particle to function effectively across the temperature range from 60°F to 450°F, resolving the contradiction between maintaining diversion reliability and operating temperature.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes particles whose physical and chemical parameters change in response to temperature variations. The hydrophilic polymer coating undergoes conformational changes and solubility transitions at different temperatures, allowing the particles to maintain their diverting function from low temperatures (60°F) through high temperatures (450°F). This parameter change mechanism ensures reliable fluid diversion across the entire temperature spectrum.
2Loss of substance
If particles are used to block high permeability zones, then fluid loss is reduced, but the particles may migrate and destabilize the geological formation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous diverting particles with controlled pore structures that allow selective fluid flow while trapping formation destabilizing agents. The porous structure enables the particles to act as filters, permitting beneficial fluids to pass through while blocking harmful migrating particles. This reduces fluid loss through high permeability zones while preventing formation destabilization by filtering out potentially harmful substances.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophilic polymer coating on the diverting particles acts as an intermediary layer between the hydrophobic core and the aqueous formation fluids. This intermediate coating modifies particle-fluid interactions, preventing direct contact between the core material and formation fluids that could cause destabilization, while still maintaining the particle's ability to block fluid flow paths effectively.
3Productivity
If diverting particles are suspended in fluid and injected into high permeability zones, then fluids are diverted to low permeability zones, but the particles must remain stable throughout the temperature range of 60°F to 450°F
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes particles whose physical and chemical parameters change in response to temperature variations. The hydrophilic polymer coating undergoes conformational changes and solubility transitions at different temperatures, allowing the particles to maintain their diverting function from low temperatures (60°F) through high temperatures (450°F). This parameter change mechanism ensures reliable fluid diversion across the entire temperature spectrum.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite diverting particles comprising a hydrophobic core material coated with a hydrophilic polymer layer. This composite structure enables the particles to maintain structural integrity at high temperatures while the hydrophilic coating provides temperature-responsive behavior. The core-shell composite design allows the particle to function effectively across the temperature range from 60°F to 450°F, resolving the contradiction between maintaining diversion reliability and operating temperature.
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
This method effectively diverts well treatment fluids away from high permeability zones, reducing fluid loss and enhancing hydrocarbon recovery by maintaining temporary resistance to fluid flow across a wide temperature range.
Implementation Method 1
The diverting particles essentially comprising a mixture of Compounds I and II will dissolve in either aqueous or hydrocarbon environments at different rates
Implementation Method 2
The diverting particles essentially comprising a mixture of Compounds I and II will dissolve in either aqueous or hydrocarbon environments
Implementation Method 3
The treatment fluid may be any fluid known in the art suitable for transporting particles into the reservoir and/or subterranean formation
Implementation Method 4
The solid particles' 'bridging' of flow-conductive pores creates what is known as a 'filter cake' on the face of the formation
Implementation Method 5
diverting particles...temporarily increase resistance to fluid flow in the high permeability zones
Data Source
AI summary
The flow of a fluid may be diverted from a high permeability zone to a low permeability zone of a subterranean formation or well sections may be temporarily isolated by use of particles comprising a mixture of (i) at least one bi-phenyl compound of Compound I, (ii) one mellitic derivative of Compound II, (iii) one chelating agent of Compound III, (iv) one polymer of Compound IV, and (v) an internal breaker for the diverting agents and other additives like gels, foams, acids, brines and various other treatment chemicals.