Encapsulated Halogen Salts for Kerogen Fracturing

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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 can damage wellbore equipment.

Innovation Solution

Encapsulating polyhalogen salts or bromate/chlorate salts in polymers, which decompose in situ at high temperatures or with water to generate halogens, reducing the need for premature halogen introduction and minimizing equipment damage, using methods like hydraulic fracturing with carbon dioxide-based fluids or aqueous solutions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If halogens are introduced directly into the formation, then kerogen treatment effectiveness is improved, but equipment damage and safety hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekerogen treatment effectivenessVSAvoidequipment damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by encapsulating halogen compounds (bromine, chlorine, iodine) within polymer matrices or microcapsules before injection. This pre-encapsulation prevents direct contact between halogens and wellbore equipment during injection and transport, while allowing controlled release at the target formation to achieve effective kerogen treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses polymer matrices and encapsulation materials as intermediaries between the halogen compounds and the external environment. These intermediaries protect equipment from halogen corrosion during injection and transport, while ultimately releasing the halogens in situ to treat kerogen, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements of equipment protection and treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If halogens are introduced directly into the formation, then kerogen treatment effectiveness is improved, but safety hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvekerogen treatment effectivenessVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-encapsulating halogen compounds within polymer matrices or microcapsules before injection. This pre-encapsulation ensures that halogens remain contained during handling, injection, and transport operations, eliminating safety hazards associated with free halogen exposure while maintaining treatment effectiveness through controlled in situ release.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses polymer encapsulation materials as intermediaries that protect both personnel and equipment from halogen exposure during injection and transport operations. These intermediaries maintain safety by preventing direct contact with halogens while ultimately releasing them in situ to achieve effective kerogen treatment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If more energy is applied to fracture kerogen, then fracture propagation is improved, but the polymer-like structure resistance increases energy requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture propagationVSAvoidfracturing energy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by introducing halogen compounds that chemically alter the kerogen's polymer-like structure. The halogens modify the molecular characteristics of kerogen, reducing its viscosity and polymer-like entanglement, which decreases the energy required for fracture propagation while improving fracture development in the formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 approach safely generates halogens in situ, reducing the energy required to fracture kerogen, enhancing hydraulic conductivity and hydrocarbon recovery while preventing halogen reactions with wellbore materials, thus improving the efficiency and safety of the process.

Implementation Method 1

Encapsulating polyhalogen salts or bromate/chlorate salts in polymers, 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 need for premature halogen introduction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS11473009B2Delivery 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.