Enzyme Deactivator for Subterranean Fluid Viscosity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bacterial or fungal cells present in well treatment fluids can degrade biomaterials used for viscosity, leading to reduced fluid viscosity and ineffective well treatment in subterranean formations.
Innovation Solution
A treatment fluid is prepared by combining an aqueous fluid, a biomaterial, and an enzyme deactivator, such as oxygen-containing arenes, to inhibit enzyme activity and maintain viscosity, which is then introduced into the subterranean formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bacterial or fungal cells are present in the treatment fluid, then the fluid can naturally occur, but the biomaterial viscosity is degraded by enzymes produced by these cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful enzymatic degradation into a beneficial controlled process by using the same enzymes that degrade biomaterials to break down crosslinked polymers after the treatment is complete. The enzyme deactivator is used temporarily during treatment to maintain viscosity, then removed or degraded to allow enzyme-mediated breakdown of the crosslinked structure for fluid recovery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical environment by adjusting pH and using enzyme deactivators to control enzyme activity. The enzyme deactivator temporarily inhibits enzyme function during the treatment phase to maintain viscosity, then conditions are changed to allow enzyme activity for breakdown. This parameter change approach allows the same system to serve opposing functions at different times.
2Reliability
If enzyme deactivator is added to inhibit enzyme activity, then viscosity is maintained, but the treatment fluid complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an enzyme deactivator as an intermediary substance that temporarily mediates between the enzyme and biomaterial. This deactivator can be a small molecule or ion that reversibly binds to the enzyme, inhibiting its activity during treatment. The intermediary approach allows control of enzyme activity without permanently modifying the enzyme or requiring complex removal systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The enzyme deactivator is used as a temporary, consumable additive that performs its function during treatment and then is removed or degraded. Rather than requiring permanent complex systems to control enzyme activity, the patent uses a simple, short-lived deactivator that can be easily added and removed, reducing overall system complexity despite the temporary addition.
3Productivity
If high viscosity is maintained during treatment, then proppant carrying capability is improved, but fluid recovery becomes difficult after treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the fluid viscosity dynamic rather than static. During injection and treatment, the fluid maintains high viscosity to effectively carry proppant. After treatment, enzyme activity is activated (by removing or degrading the enzyme deactivator) to break down the crosslinked polymer structure, dramatically reducing viscosity to enable easy fluid recovery. This dynamic viscosity change allows the fluid to adapt its properties to different operational phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action by alternating between two states: a high-viscosity state during treatment for proppant transport, and a low-viscosity state after treatment for fluid recovery. The transition between these states is controlled by the periodic addition or removal of enzyme deactivator, creating a cyclic pattern of viscosity change that optimizes performance for each operational phase.
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 use of deactivators effectively prevents viscosity reduction, maintaining the desired viscosity of the treatment fluid and enhancing the effectiveness of well treatment operations by controlling enzyme degradation of biomaterials.
Implementation Method 1
The bacterial or fungal cells may produce enzymes that degrade the biomaterial present in the treatment fluid for providing viscosity
Implementation Method 2
The deactivator is an oxygen-containing arene capable of inhibiting the enzyme from degrading the biomaterial
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating a subterranean formation including combining an aqueous fluid, a biomaterial, an enzyme, and a deactivator to form a treatment fluid; and introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation. A method is also disclosed for treating a subterranean formation by preparing a treatment fluid containing an aqueous fluid that contains bacterial and/or fungal cells that produce an enzyme that degrades the biomaterial, a biomaterial, and a deactivator; controlling degradation of the biomaterial by adding an effective amount of the deactivator to the aqueous fluid prior to the preparation of the treatment fluid; and introducing the treatment fluid into the subterranean formation. In the methods, the enzyme degrades the biomaterial and the deactivator is an oxygen-containing arene capable of inhibiting the enzyme from degrading the biomaterial.