Epoxy Resin Wellbore Plugging Composition for High-Pressure Zonal Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plugging compositions, such as cements, fail to provide effective zonal isolation and reliably plug and abandon wells when pressures exceed 5,000 psi, posing environmental concerns and regulatory challenges as the number of abandoned wells increases.
Innovation Solution
A sealing composition comprising an epoxy resin system with at least two epoxy resins and a curing agent, which can withstand pressures from 7,000 to 15,000 psi, offering enhanced resistance to corrosive fluids and providing effective zonal isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional plugging compositions (cements) are used, then the plugging operation is simple and cost-effective, but the plug cannot withstand pressures exceeding 5,000 psi, leading to failure in providing effective zonal isolation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the plugging material from conventional cement to an epoxy resin system. This parameter change enables the plug to withstand pressures from 7,000 to 15,000 psi while maintaining reliability of zonal isolation, directly resolving the pressure resistance limitation of conventional cements
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite epoxy resin system comprising multiple epoxy resins and curing agents. This composite material approach creates a plug with enhanced mechanical properties and pressure resistance capabilities, achieving reliable zonal isolation in high-pressure conditions where conventional single-material cements fail
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional cements are used for plugging, then the material is readily available and easy to handle, but it provides insufficient resistance to corrosive fluids, compromising long-term integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the plugging material by using epoxy resin-based chemistry instead of cement chemistry. This fundamental parameter change provides superior chemical inertness and resistance to corrosive fluids, ensuring long-term plug integrity in environments where conventional cements would degrade
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 epoxy resin system ensures the integrity of plugs, preventing fluid migration and allowing for reliable wellbore plugging and abandonment, even in high-pressure conditions, thus addressing the limitations of conventional cements.
Implementation Method 1
curing the sealing composition to form a plug
Data Source
AI summary
Sealing composition for plugging and abandoning a wellbore and methods of plugging and abandoning a wellbore are disclosed. Embodiments of a method for plugging and abandoning a wellbore may include introducing a sealing composition into a wellbore and curing the sealing composition to form a plug. The sealing composition may include from 1 weight percent to 20 weight percent of a curing agent, based on the total weight of the composition, and from 20 weight percent to 97 weight percent of an epoxy resin system, based on the total weight of the composition. The epoxy resin system may include an epoxy resin having the formula (OC2H3)—CH2—O—R1—O—CH2—(C2H3O), where R1 is a linear or branched hydrocarbyl having from 4 to 24 carbon atoms; and a reactive diluent having the formula R—O—CH2—(C2H3O), where R is a hydrocarbyl having from 12 to 14 carbon atoms.