Chemical Emulsion for Near-Wellbore Formation Damage Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrocarbon production declines due to formation damage at near-wellbore caused by solid precipitation, emulsion blockage, and other deposits, which existing treatments often fail to address sustainably and cost-effectively, especially considering varying formation conditions.
Innovation Solution
A chemical emulsion composition comprising an aqueous phase, a non-aqueous phase, a surfactant, and a compound with specific chemical structure, along with co-surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, chelating agents, and biocides, designed to inhibit or remove blockages and deposits, and re-fluidize the near-wellbore formation, suitable for a wide range of conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If physical interventions such as mechanically scrapping off deposits or re-fracturing rocks are used to restore hydrocarbon production, then near-wellbore blockage is removed, but the treatment cannot be repeated at the same location and is not sustainable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical scrapping and re-fracturing methods with a chemical treatment system. The chemical composition penetrates through the formation damage zone and dissolves or disperses the blockages chemically, eliminating the need for repeated mechanical interventions and enabling sustainable production restoration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the formation damage zone by introducing a chemical composition with specific properties (surfactants, solvents, dispersants) that alter the state of blockages, transforming them from solid/viscous obstructions into removable or dispersed materials that can be flushed out, enabling repeated treatments without mechanical damage.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If chemical treatment solution is used to remove blockages and revive hydrocarbon production, then sustainability and repeatability are improved, but effectiveness against varying formation conditions and diverse deposits must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a chemical composition with multiple functional components that can address various types of formation damage simultaneously. The composition includes surfactants for emulsion breakdown, solvents for asphaltene and wax dissolution, dispersants for particulate removal, and biocides for biological contamination, making it universally effective against diverse deposits and formation conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite chemical formulation combining multiple active ingredients and additives in specific proportions. This composite structure allows the treatment solution to interact with different types of blockages (asphaltene, wax, scale, emulsion, particulates) through multiple mechanisms simultaneously, enhancing adaptability to varying formation conditions while maintaining sustainability.
3Productivity
If existing chemical treatments are used to address formation damage, then some blockage removal is achieved, but cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a chemical composition that can be injected as a disposable treatment solution, eliminating the need for expensive and complex mechanical equipment. The formulation uses cost-effective, readily available chemical components that can be mixed and injected without sophisticated manufacturing infrastructure, improving cost-effectiveness while maintaining treatment efficacy.
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 emulsion composition effectively reduces oil-water interfacial tension, penetrates formation pores, and removes obstructions, restoring hydrocarbon flow and production while being cost-effective and environmentally friendly, with improved buffering capacity against ions and pH variations.
Implementation Method 1
The emulsion composition effectively reduces oil-water interfacial tension
Implementation Method 2
penetrates formation pores
Data Source
AI summary
An emulsion composition of treating near-wellbore obstruction comprising an aqueous phase in 0.5 to 40% by weight of total composition; an non-aqueous phase in 15 to 90% by weight of total composition; a surfactant un 2 to 60% by weight of total composition; and a compound having a Chemical structure I in 1 to 30% by weight of total compositionR1—CONH—[R2—NH—R3]n—HNOC—R4 (Chemical structure I)in which R1, R2, R3 and R4 are linear, branched or aromatic carbon-containing substituents having 2 to 26 carbon atoms and n is an integer ranges from 1 to 100, wherein each of the substituents comprises an alkyl group, a carbonyl group, a carboxylic group, an amine group, or an amide group.