Encapsulated Biocides for Delayed Release in Oilfield Wellbores
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Solution Overview
Problem
In oilfield applications, non-encapsulated biocides pose issues such as foul odors, reactivity with other wellbore components, and health and safety concerns due to their liquid form and potential interactions with friction reducers, necessitating a more controlled and safer method for biocide delivery.
Innovation Solution
Encapsulating biocides to create a solid form that can be easily applied and slowly release the active agent, reducing exposure to harmful chemicals, preventing reactive interactions, and eliminating noxious odors, while allowing for delayed release to provide prolonged microbial control in subterranean formations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If non-encapsulated liquid biocides are pumped into the wellbore, then microbial control is achieved, but health and safety concerns arise due to exposure to harmful chemicals and noxious odors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses encapsulation materials as an intermediary between the biocide active ingredient and the environment. The encapsulated biocide particles serve as a mediator that delivers the antimicrobial agent without direct exposure, eliminating noxious odors and health hazards while maintaining microbial control effectiveness in water flooding systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible encapsulation shells or thin film coatings around the biocide active ingredient. These flexible shells protect personnel from direct contact with harmful chemicals during handling and injection, while allowing controlled release of the biocide into the wellbore environment for sustained microbial control
2Reliability
If non-encapsulated biocides are placed into the wellbore, then microbial control is achieved, but reactive interactions with other wellbore components occur
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulation material acts as an intermediary barrier between the biocide and other wellbore components such as friction reducers and chemical additives. This intermediate shell prevents direct reactive interactions while allowing the biocide to fulfill its microbial control function once released into the formation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the biocide active ingredient from direct contact with other wellbore components by placing it inside an encapsulation shell. This separation removes the harmful reactivity while preserving the biocide's antimicrobial effectiveness, allowing safe coexistence with other wellbore chemicals
3Reliability
If non-encapsulated liquid biocides are used, then immediate microbial control is achieved, but the biocide must be pumped with specialized equipment by personnel on site
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the biocide from liquid to solid encapsulated particles. This parameter change eliminates the need for specialized pumping equipment and complex handling procedures, allowing the biocide to be easily mixed into water flooding systems using standard wellbore injection equipment while maintaining immediate microbial control effectiveness
4Reliability
If non-encapsulated biocides are released into the wellbore, then microbial control is achieved, but foul odors are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The encapsulation material serves as an intermediary that prevents the direct release of volatile biocide components into the air. The shell traps odorous substances inside, allowing them to be released only when the encapsulated particle contacts wellbore fluids and breaks down, thereby eliminating foul odors from the wellsite environment while maintaining microbial control function
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 encapsulated biocide method enhances safety, reduces interactions with other wellbore fluids, and provides extended microbial control, improving the efficiency and safety of oilfield operations by minimizing corrosion and biofouling.
Implementation Method 1
the biocide is released from an encapsulation material
Data Source
AI summary
A method for treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method including the introduction of a well treatment fluid containing at least an encapsulated biocide. Once the encapsulated biocide is introduced and after a predetermined period of time, a biocide is released from an encapsulation material and treats the wellbore and the subterranean formation.