Double-Response Self-Degradable Temporary Plugging Agent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current temporary plugging agents used in oil recovery processes face issues such as aggregation, low strength, and incomplete degradation, leading to pipeline plugging and damage to reservoirs, especially in high and low permeability layers during acidization.
Innovation Solution
A double-response self-degradable temporary plugging agent is developed through polymerization of specific monomers, a reinforcing agent, and water, which forms a high-strength filter cake and can be completely degraded in oil or water, using a combination of temperature-sensitive and acid-sensitive materials to control degradation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fiber temporary plugging agent is used, then it can form a filter screen structure, but it aggregates into a mass causing pipeline plugging and has low strength making it easy to drift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite system of fiber materials and particle materials. The fiber material (cellulose acetate butyrate) provides filter screen structure formation, while the particle material (calcium carbonate) provides strength and prevents aggregation. This composite approach combines the advantages of both materials to resolve the contradiction between ease of manufacture and reliability.
2Strength
If particle temporary plugging agent is used, then it has high strength, but it is difficult to form a filter cake with high strength resulting in low plugging strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines particle material (providing high individual strength) with fiber material (providing filter cake formation capability). The fiber network acts as a scaffold that binds particles together, creating a composite structure with both high strength and effective filter cake formation, thereby resolving the contradiction between material strength and plugging strength.
3Reliability
If fiber and particle composite temporary plugging agent is used, then it has advantages of both materials, but the plugging removal process is complicated and material cannot be completely degraded forming residues that damage reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The patent selects fiber and particle materials with specific degradation parameters - both materials are chosen to be completely degradable under reservoir conditions. The cellulose acetate butyrate fiber and calcium carbonate particles are selected for their ability to degrade completely without forming harmful residues, resolving the contradiction between plugging performance and reservoir protection.
4Productivity
If temporary plugging agent is injected to plug high permeability layers, then it increases injection pressure forcing acid liquid to medium and low permeability layers, but the plugging agent must be rapidly degraded after acidification without polluting reservoir
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses materials whose degradation parameters respond to changes in the reservoir environment after acidification. The fiber and particle materials are selected to degrade rapidly under the specific chemical and physical conditions present after acid injection, ensuring complete degradation without pollution while maintaining effective plugging during the acidification process.
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 agent effectively plugs high permeability layers, degrades at specific temperatures, and dissolves under acid exposure, reducing reservoir damage and improving acidification modification efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the second monomer is a temperature-sensitive degradable crosslinkable monomer, being at least one selected from the group consisting of 1,4-butanediol dimethacrylate, ethylene dimethacrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate
Implementation Method 2
the reinforcing agent is an acid-sensitive inorganic material
Implementation Method 3
which is prepared by polymerization of raw materials comprising, in parts by weight, 10-35 parts of a monomer, 0.8-7 parts of a reinforcing agent
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a double-response self-degradable temporary plugging agent and a preparation method thereof. The double-response self-degradable temporary plugging agent is prepared by compounding a crosslinkable monomer with a temperature-sensitive degradability and an inorganic material with an acid solubility with a first monomer, a dispersant, an initiator and water, and subjecting the resulting mixture to a polymerization.