Deactivated Permeability Modifiers for Subterranean Water Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In subterranean formation operations, the high mobility of water can lead to undesirable production of water with hydrocarbons, fluid loss, and formation damage due to the limitations of existing permeability modifiers in terms of pressure increases and flow impedance, necessitating selective deactivation and activation methods to enhance injectivity and control permeability.
Innovation Solution
The method involves introducing a first treatment fluid with a deactivated permeability modifier formed by micellar formation or complexation of a deactivating surfactant and a permeability modifier, followed by adsorption onto the formation surface, and subsequent activation using a cyclodextrin compound to reduce aqueous permeability, and subsequent deactivation to restore original permeability, allowing for controlled fluid flow and reduced water production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If permeability modifiers are introduced to decrease water production and fluid loss, then water control effectiveness is improved, but pressure increases and injectivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The permeability modifier is designed to dynamically change its state between deactivated (non-viscosified, low pressure) and activated (viscosified, high pressure) forms. During injection, the modifier remains deactivated to maintain high injectivity. Upon contact with formation water, it activates to provide water control, thus resolving the contradiction between injectivity and water control effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The physical and chemical parameters of the permeability modifier are changed through reversible phase transition. The modifier's viscosity and molecular structure parameters are altered by external triggers (temperature, pH, chemical agents) to switch between inactive and active states, enabling both high injectivity during treatment and effective water control during production
2Reliability
If permeability modifiers are used to block water-bearing sections, then water production is reduced, but flow impedance increases and treatment depth is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The permeability modifier is injected in a deactivated state throughout the entire formation depth before activation occurs. This preliminary action allows the treatment fluid to reach deep water-bearing sections without premature blockage, and only after complete distribution does the modifier activate to provide blockage where needed
3Reliability
If permeability modifiers permanently impair water permeability, then water control is effective, but formation damage occurs and remedial measures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The permeability modifier is designed to be temporary and removable rather than permanent. After serving its water control function, the modifier can be deactivated or removed through chemical treatment or environmental conditions, allowing the formation to recover its original permeability and eliminating the need for remedial measures
Data Source
AI summary
Methods including deactivation and activation of permeability modifiers for use in subterranean formation operations. A first treatment fluid may be introduced into a subterranean formation having a first treatment zone having a first aqueous permeability value, the first treatment fluid comprising a first aqueous base fluid and a deactivated permeability modifier. The deactivated permeability modifier may be adsorbed onto a surface of the first treatment zone. A second treatment may thereafter be introduced into the subterranean formation, the second treatment fluid comprising a second aqueous base fluid and a cyclodextrin compound. The second treatment fluid may contact the deactivated permeability modifier to activate the permeability modifier by complexing the deactivating surfactant with the cyclodextrin compound, thereby forming an activated permeability modifier adsorbed onto the surface of the first treatment zone and reducing the aqueous permeability of the first treatment zone.