Diluted Cationic Friction Reducers for Subterranean Formations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing friction reducers for subterranean formations require high polymer loadings, leading to formation damage, increased operational costs, and inefficiencies in polymer dispersion and friction reduction.
Innovation Solution
A water-in-oil emulsion with a continuous oil phase and dispersed aqueous phase containing a water-soluble polymer with 1-60% cationic monomers, at a lower polymer loading (5-25% of the emulsion), which is inverted to form a friction-reducing treatment solution with reduced viscosity and enhanced dispersion efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high polymer loadings are used in friction reducers, then friction reduction performance is improved, but formation damage increases and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymer by incorporating cationic monomers (1-60 weight percent) into the polymer structure. This modification allows the polymer to achieve effective friction reduction at lower loadings (5-25 weight percent of the emulsion) while reducing formation damage, resolving the contradiction between performance and harmful effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite water-in-oil emulsion system combining polymer, surfactant, and oil phase components. This composite structure enables the polymer to function effectively at reduced concentrations (5-25% of emulsion) while the emulsion matrix protects against formation damage, simultaneously achieving friction reduction and minimizing harmful effects
2Reliability
If high polymer loadings are used in friction reducers, then friction reduction performance is improved, but operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the polymer's chemical composition by adding cationic monomers, which enhances the polymer's friction reduction efficiency. This allows achieving the same performance level with lower polymer quantities (5-25 weight percent of emulsion versus traditional higher loadings), thus reducing operational costs while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies surfactant molecules locally at the interface between polymer and oil phase, creating regions of enhanced polymer effectiveness. This localized action amplifies the friction reduction capability per unit of polymer, allowing reduced overall polymer loading while maintaining performance
3Reliability
If conventional polymer emulsions are used, then friction reduction is achieved, but polymer dispersion and friction reduction efficiency are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces surfactant as an intermediary substance that mediates between the polymer and oil phase. The surfactant improves polymer dispersion and distribution throughout the emulsion, enhancing friction reduction efficiency and allowing effective performance at lower polymer loadings
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite emulsion system where polymer, surfactant, and oil phase work synergistically. This composite structure dramatically improves polymer dispersion efficiency and friction reduction effectiveness, enabling the system to outperform conventional emulsions at lower polymer concentrations
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
The solution provides similar or equivalent performance to higher polymer loadings with reduced formation damage, lower operational costs, and improved polymer dispersion, resulting in effective friction reduction in subterranean treatments.
Implementation Method 1
inverting the water-in-oil emulsion by adding it to water to form a friction reducing treatment solution
Implementation Method 2
the aqueous phase as a dispersed phase of distinct particles in the oil phase that includes water, a water soluble polymer, and at least one surfactant
Data Source
AI summary
A water-in-oil emulsion having an oil phase (O) and an aqueous phase (A) at an O/A ratio of from about 1 :8 to about 10: 1; wherein the water-in-oil emulsion includes the oil phase as a continuous phase that includes an inert hydrophobic liquid, and the aqueous phase as a dispersed phase of distinct particles in the oil phase that includes water, a water soluble polymer, and at least one surfactant; wherein the water soluble polymer includes from about 1 to about 60 weight percent of one or more cationic monomers, wherein the amount is by total weight of the water soluble polymer; wherein the water soluble polymer is present in an amount from about 5 to about 40 weight percent of the water-in-oil emulsion; and wherein an aqueous solution prepared by inverting the water- in-oil emulsion by adding it to water has at least comparable viscosity build to an aqueous solution made from a water-in-oil emulsion of the same composition containing 15 weight percent more water soluble polymer. Also provided is a method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation that includes the steps of: (a) providing a water-in- oil emulsion according to the present disclosure; (b) inverting the water-in-oil emulsion by adding it to water at from about 0.1 to about 5 gallons of water-in-oil emulsion per thousand gallons of water to form a friction reducing treatment solution containing from about 0.0005 weight percent to about 0.12 weight percent water soluble polymer based on the weight of the treatment solution; and (c) introducing the treatment solution into the portion of the subterranean formation.