Encapsulated Halogen Delivery for Kerogen Degradation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Unconventional source rock formations with kerogen require more energy to fracture due to its polymer-like structure, affecting hydraulic conductivity and hydrocarbon recovery, and existing methods for delivering halogens like bromine are unsafe and prone to premature reaction with wellbore materials.

Innovation Solution

Encapsulating polyhalogen salts or bromate/chlorate salts in polymers within enteric coatings, which decompose in situ at high temperatures or with water to generate halogens, reducing the risk of premature reaction and enhancing kerogen degradation for improved hydraulic conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If halogens are delivered directly to the subterranean formation, then kerogen degradation is achieved, but equipment damage occurs and premature reaction with wellbore materials happens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekerogen degradation effectivenessVSAvoidequipment damage and premature reaction

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses encapsulated polyhalogen salts as an intermediary substance that can be safely transported through the wellbore and only releases active halogens when they reach the target formation. The encapsulation acts as a protective mediator that prevents premature reaction with wellbore materials while enabling controlled delivery of the reactive halogen to degrade kerogen in the subterranean formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If polyhalogen salts are used instead of direct halogen delivery, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases due to encapsulation requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesafety during transportVSAvoidencapsulation structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical state of the halogen from its highly reactive elemental form to a stable polyhalogen salt form that can be encapsulated. This parameter change from reactive halogen (X2) to stable salt (e.g., I3−, Br3−, ICl2−) enables safe transport while maintaining the capability to generate the active halogen in situ through decomposition or reaction with reducing agents in the formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If kerogen is present in the formation, then hydrocarbon source material is available, but fracturing energy requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekerogen contentVSAvoidfracturing energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary chemical action by delivering polyhalogen salts that decompose or react in situ to generate halogens which pre-treat and degrade the kerogen before hydraulic fracturing occurs. This preliminary degradation of the polymer-like kerogen structure reduces its contribution to tensile strength, thereby reducing the fracturing energy needed to propagate fractures in the formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This method safely generates halogens in situ, reducing the risk of equipment damage and improving hydrocarbon recovery by degrading kerogen, thus enhancing the effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing operations.

Implementation Method 1

Encapsulating polyhalogen salts or bromate/chlorate salts in polymers within enteric coatings, which decompose in situ at high temperatures or with water to generate halogens

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDecomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

generating halogens, reducing the risk of premature reaction and enhancing kerogen degradation for improved hydraulic conductivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical degradation:

Data Source

PatentUS11473001B2Delivery of halogens to a subterranean formation

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

Compositions and methods for treating kerogen in a subterranean formation by generating bromine and other halogens in situ in a subterranean formation. In some implementations, the generation of the bromine or halogen is delayed. This can occur, for example, by the decomposition of precursors, a chemical reaction, the encapsulation of precursors or reactants, or a combination of these approaches.