Composite Well Treatment Agents for Fluid Source Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring multiple zone subterranean formations during fluid production are inefficient, as they often rely on short-lived tracers that are cumbersome and costly, and struggle to distinguish between flowback water and naturally produced water, leading to issues with contaminant deposition and reduced productivity.
Innovation Solution
Introducing well treatment fluids with composites containing distinguishable well treatment agents, which are released into the formation to inhibit contaminant deposition and serve as tracers, allowing for the identification of fluid sources by physical or chemical analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional tracers are used for monitoring fluid flow, then the ability to identify fluid sources is improved, but the duration of action is short and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of well treatment agents by incorporating distinctive chemical signatures or isotopic compositions that allow long-term identification of fluid sources. These modified agents remain detectable in produced fluids for extended periods, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and duration of action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite well treatment agents that combine multiple functional components including traceable markers and treatment functionalities. These composite materials provide both long-lasting presence in the formation and detectable signatures for fluid source identification, simultaneously improving duration of action and measurement precision.
2Productivity
If well treatment agents are introduced to inhibit contaminant deposition, then productivity is improved, but the ability to distinguish between different fluid sources deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by introducing well treatment agents with distinctive chemical signatures into specific zones or at specific times during well treatment operations. Each agent variant has a unique local identifier that allows differentiation of fluid sources while maintaining the treatment function of preventing contaminant deposition in that specific location or time period.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the well treatment process by using different well treatment agents with distinct chemical signatures for different treatment stages or different zones within the formation. This segmentation allows each agent to perform its contaminant inhibition function while its unique signature enables traceability of produced fluids back to specific treatment events or locations.
3Measurement precision
If multiple well treatment agents are used in different zones, then the precision of zone identification is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the system by changing the identification parameter from complex physical tracers to chemical signatures inherent in the well treatment agents themselves. Each agent's unique chemical composition or isotopic ratio serves as a simple yet effective zone identifier, improving measurement precision without increasing device complexity.
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 prevents contaminant deposition, enhances productivity by distinguishing between fluid sources, and reduces operational costs through the use of long-lasting, cost-effective well treatment agents.
Implementation Method 1
The well treatment agent may be slowly released from the composite after being introduced into a targeted area and transported out of the reservoir
Implementation Method 2
The well treatment agent may be slowly released from the composite after being introduced into a targeted area
Implementation Method 3
In order to identify the source of the transport fluid, it is necessary for the well treatment agents to be distinguishable
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating a multi-zoned subterranean formation with composites having well treatment agents is disclosed. The well treatment agent treated in each zone is distinguishable. At least a portion of the well treatment agent is released from one of the composites into the well or formation. The formation of undesirable contaminants may be inhibited or prevented in the well or in the formation by the release of the well treatment agent from one or more of the composites. The well treatment agent also serves as a tracer. When fluid transported from the formation or well is collected, the source of the transported fluid may be determined by comparing a chemical or physical parameter of the well treatment agent with a working set of known taggants.