Degradable Cationic Friction Reducers for Clay Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current friction reducers used in subterranean treatments, such as hydraulic fracturing, are incompatible with certain formation rocks like sandstone and can alter wettability, leading to undesirable changes and energy losses due to friction, while also failing to effectively stabilize water-sensitive clays and prevent scale, paraffin, and asphaltene issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of degradable cationic and anionic friction reducers, specifically polymers with releasable choline groups or poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (polyDADMAC) groups, which initially reduce friction and later degrade to form choline chloride or polyDADMAC, or AMPS/polyacrylic acid, respectively, to stabilize clays, inhibit scale and paraffin, and prevent asphaltene formation, minimizing energy losses and maintaining rock wettability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If cationic friction reducers are used to reduce pipe friction and allow high pumping rates, then energy losses are reduced and pumping efficiency is improved, but the friction reducers are incompatible with sandstone formation rocks and alter wettability from water wet to oil wet
Solution Approach 1:
The friction reduction function and clay stabilization function are separated into two distinct chemical components: a cationic friction reducer and a clay stabilizer. This allows each component to perform its specialized function without the harmful side effects of the other, resolving the contradiction between friction reduction and formation rock compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
A clay stabilizer acts as an intermediary substance that protects the sandstone formation from the harmful effects of cationic friction reducers. The stabilizer creates a protective environment that maintains water-wet wettability while allowing the friction reducer to perform its energy-saving function in the fluid phase.
2Loss of energy
If conventional friction reducers are used, then pipe friction is reduced, but they fail to stabilize water-sensitive clays and prevent scale, paraffin, and asphaltene issues
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple protective functions (clay stabilization, scale inhibition, paraffin prevention, asphaltene inhibition) are merged into a single integrated treatment system. The clay stabilizer provides a foundation that prevents formation damage, while the friction reducer provides energy efficiency, creating a comprehensive solution that addresses all reliability concerns simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment system achieves multi-functionality by combining substances that can simultaneously or sequentially perform multiple roles: friction reduction, clay stabilization, scale inhibition, and paraffin/asphaltene prevention. This universal approach ensures reliable formation protection while maintaining pumping efficiency.
3Productivity
If friction reducers are used to maintain high pumping rates, then treatment productivity is improved, but additional horsepower is required to overcome frictional energy losses
Solution Approach 1:
The cationic friction reducer, which normally would be harmful to sandstone formations, is converted into a beneficial agent by using it in combination with a clay stabilizer. The stabilizer neutralizes the harmful effects on formation rocks, allowing the friction reducer to fully express its benefit in reducing pumping pressure and horsepower requirements while maintaining high pumping rates.
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
These friction reducers effectively reduce friction and stabilize clays, improving fluid recovery rates by minimizing energy losses and preventing formation damage from scale and paraffin deposits, while maintaining compatibility with various rock types.
Implementation Method 1
allowing the cationic friction reducing polymer to degrade after about 0.5 to 1 hour and release a degradation byproduct of the cationic friction reducing polymer
Implementation Method 2
contacting at least a portion of the swellable clays in the subterranean formation with at least a portion of the degradation byproduct to at least partially inhibit swelling of the swellable clays
Implementation Method 3
friction reducing polymers are typically included in aqueous treatment fluids. These friction reducing polymers may be synthetic polymers, natural polymers, or viscoelastic surfactants and are thought to reduce the friction between the aqueous treatment fluid in turbulent flow and the tubular goods and/or the formation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of treating a subterranean formation are described. The methods include introducing a treatment fluid that includes a friction reducing polymer (e.g., a cationic friction reducing polymer) into the subterranean formation. The cationic friction reducing polymer is allowed to degrade and release choline chloride or polyDADMAC, which can each act as a clay stabilizer.