Core-Shell Particles for Controlled Gel Release in Reservoirs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current waterflooding techniques for enhanced oil recovery face challenges such as poor sweep efficiency, leading to unrecoverable oil and unnecessary water production, which increases costs and environmental concerns due to the need for extensive surface water treatment and disposal.
Innovation Solution
The development of core-shell particles encapsulating crosslinking agents like chromium, which are designed to release a gel-forming polymer at targeted locations within a subterranean reservoir, forming crosslinked gels to control water flow and prevent unwanted reactions, thereby improving the placement and effectiveness of water control measures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If waterflooding techniques are used for enhanced oil recovery, then oil recovery is improved, but water flow control becomes poor leading to unnecessary water production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces gel particles as intermediary substances injected into the reservoir. These particles act as mediators between the waterflood system and the oil production system, selectively blocking water flow paths while allowing oil to pass through, thus resolving the contradiction between improving oil recovery and controlling water flow
Solution Approach 2:
The gel particles provide localized water flow control in specific reservoir zones rather than uniform control throughout the entire reservoir. By targeting high-water-flow areas with gel particles, the system improves overall oil recovery while minimizing unnecessary water production in water-sensitive zones
2Speed
If crosslinking agents are released immediately upon injection, then gel formation is rapid, but unwanted reactions occur near the wellbore preventing deep placement
Solution Approach 1:
The crosslinking system is segmented into two separate components: gel-forming polymer and crosslinking agent, which are delivered separately to the reservoir. The crosslinking agent is encapsulated in particles that release it only after deep placement, preventing premature reactions near the wellbore while enabling rapid gel formation at the target location
Solution Approach 2:
The gel-forming polymer is injected first into the reservoir, establishing the gelation system in advance. The crosslinking agents are then delivered separately in encapsulated form to specific locations, where they trigger gel formation only when needed deep within the reservoir, avoiding unwanted preliminary reactions near the wellbore
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 approach enables controlled and targeted release of crosslinked gels deep within the reservoir, reducing water flow and enhancing oil recovery while minimizing the need for surface water treatment facilities and environmental safety measures.
Implementation Method 1
crosslinked gels that can be effective to control water flow
Implementation Method 2
initiate formation of gels
Implementation Method 3
a degradable polymeric shell surrounding the core
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to delivery and release systems, such as core-shell particles. An exemplary composition according to the disclosure can include a degradable polymeric shell surrounding a core that includes a crosslinker, which can encompass a metal, such as chromium. The core-shell particles can be provided with a gel-forming polymer, such as a polyacrylamide, into a subterranean reservoir having conditions such that the shell of the core-shell polymer degrades, and the so-released metal is effective to at least partially crosslink the gel-forming polymer to form a gel. The so-formed gel can be effective to control water flow through the subterranean reservoir, such as in relation to a waterflood of the reservoir.