Composite Silane Consolidant for Hydrothermal Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing consolidants for geological formations are not hydrolytically and hydrothermally stable, leading to reduced porosity and instability under high pressure and temperature conditions, making them unsuitable for long-term use in oil extraction and sand consolidation, especially in corrosive environments.
Innovation Solution
A process using a consolidant comprising hydrolyzates or precondensates of organosilanes, hydrolyzable silanes, and metal compounds, cured under elevated pressure and temperature, which maintains stability and porosity, and can alter wetting behavior with oleophobic and hydrophobic components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If organic polymeric binders are used for consolidation, then porosity can be maintained, but the binders are not stable under high pressure and temperature conditions and lose their binding stability over time
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite binders comprising both organic polymer components and inorganic binder components (such as silanes, metal oxides, or metal hydroxides). This composite approach combines the advantages of organic polymers (flexibility, porosity maintenance) with the advantages of inorganic binders (thermal stability, hydrolytic stability, long-term durability), thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining porosity and achieving long-term stability under high pressure and temperature conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical composition parameters of the binder system by introducing inorganic components with specific properties (hydrolytic stability, thermal stability) to enhance the durability and lifetime of the binder under aggressive borehole conditions while maintaining the required porosity for oil flow.
2Stability of the object's composition
If purely inorganic binders are used for consolidation, then porosity is maintained and binding stability is achieved, but the bound system becomes brittle and not resistant toward mechanical stresses
Solution Approach 1:
The composite binder system combines inorganic binder components (which provide binding stability and porosity maintenance) with organic polymer components (which provide flexibility and mechanical resistance to stresses). This composite approach resolves the contradiction between achieving stable binding and maintaining mechanical strength under shear stresses and high pressure conditions.
3Ease of manufacture
If consolidants are used under elevated pressure and temperature, then curing can be achieved, but many consolidants are not stable under these hydrothermal conditions and cannot be cured
Solution Approach 1:
The composite binder system is specifically designed to be stable under hydrothermal conditions. The inorganic components (silanes, metal oxides, metal hydroxides) provide hydrolytic and thermal stability, enabling the binder to withstand elevated pressure and temperature during curing and long-term operation. The organic polymer component is selected to be compatible and stable under these conditions, allowing successful curing while maintaining reliability.
4Volume of stationary object
If organic polymers are used with reduced binder use to maintain porosity, then porosity is improved, but the polymers swell or go into solution in the presence of organic solvents at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The composite binder system uses inorganic binder components that do not swell or dissolve in organic solvents or crude oil, thereby maintaining porosity and structural integrity in the organic environment of high-temperature oil reservoirs. The organic polymer component is selected and formulated to be resistant to swelling and dissolution, providing long-term stability while maintaining the required porosity for oil flow.
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 provides long-term hydrolytic and hydrothermal stability, maintains porosity, and allows for flexible binding stability, enabling effective consolidation and wetting behavior modification under corrosive conditions, suitable for oil extraction and sand consolidation.
Implementation Method 1
a consolidant comprising a hydrolyzate or precondensate of (a) at least one organosilane... (b) optionally at least one hydrolyzable silane... (c) at least one metal compound
Implementation Method 2
a consolidant comprising a hydrolyzate or precondensate of... organosilanes... hydrolyzable silanes... and metal compounds
Implementation Method 3
the consolidant, in the case that it is used to change the wetting behavior of the formation, also comprises an oleophobic and hydrophobic component
Data Source
AI summary
A process for a consolidation which is hydrolytically stable under hydrothermal conditions and/or for changing the wetting behavior of a porous and/or particulate geological formation. The process comprises introducing into the geological formation a consolidant and curing the introduced consolidant under elevated pressure and elevated temperature. The consolidant comprises a hydrolyzate and/or a precondensate based on silanes and metal compounds.