Degradable Diverting Agents for Subterranean Well Treatments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional diverting agents in subterranean treatments face challenges such as instability at high temperatures, limited applicability across different well completion scenarios, and the need for costly and time-consuming removal processes, especially when nondegradable materials are used.

Innovation Solution

The use of degradable diverting agents comprising fatty alcohols, fatty esters, proteinous materials, or fatty acid salts, which remain stable across a wide temperature range and degrade predictably, eliminating the need for post-treatment removal by forming a partial seal or bridge within the subterranean formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of stationary object

If nondegradable diverting agents are used, then the diverting agent provides long-lasting diversion effect, but the agent requires removal operations after treatment which delays and complicates the well treatment process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediversion effect durationVSAvoidpost-treatment removal time

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs degradable diverting agents that are designed to be temporary and self-decomposing. These agents perform their diversion function during the treatment process and then naturally degrade, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming removal operations. The degradable nature of the agent transforms it from a permanent implant to a disposable tool that automatically disappears after use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention facilitates the automatic discarding of the diverting agent after it has served its purpose. By selecting materials with appropriate degradation characteristics, the agent is designed to be discarded naturally through degradation rather than requiring manual recovery or removal operations, thereby simplifying the overall treatment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

2Ease of operation

If viscosified fluids are used as diverting agents, then the implementation is easy, but the fluids become unstable at high temperatures associated with deeper wells

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediverting agent implementation easeVSAvoidfluid stability at high temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the diverting agent by selecting materials with high temperature stability. The degradable agents are formulated to maintain their structural integrity and diversion effectiveness across a wide temperature range, including the high temperatures found in deep well formations, thereby resolving the instability issue of traditional viscosified fluids.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes composite material design to create diverting agents that combine the ease of application of fluid-based agents with the thermal stability of solid materials. The degradable agents are formulated as composite structures that maintain their properties at elevated temperatures while still providing effective diversion and subsequently degrading as intended.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If ball sealers with solid stable cores are used, then the diverting agent provides reliable diversion, but the agent cannot be used in open hole or slotted liner completions and requires removal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediversion reliabilityVSAvoidwell completion scenario applicability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability to the diverting agent system. The degradable agents can be formulated in various configurations and delivery methods that adapt to different well completion scenarios including open hole and slotted liner completions, in addition to cased perforated wells. This dynamic versatility allows the same basic agent type to serve multiple applications without requiring different removal procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 degradable agents effectively divert treatment fluids, control fluid loss, and enhance reservoir productivity without leaving undesirable residues, simplifying the well treatment process and reducing operational complexity and costs.

Implementation Method 1

forming a partial seal or bridge within the subterranean formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSealing:

Implementation Method 2

degrade predictably, eliminating the need for post-treatment removal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDegradation:

Data Source

PatentUS8109335B2Degradable diverting agents and associated methods

Publication Date: 2012.02.07 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Methods and compositions that include a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising at least a plurality of degradable diverting agents that comprise at least one degradable material selected from the group consisting of a fatty alcohol, a fatty acid salt, a fatty ester, a proteinous material, and a combination thereof; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation during a subterranean operation via a well bore.