Ester-Oxidative Breaking System for Fracturing Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breaking compositions for borate cross-linked fracturing fluids often break down either too quickly or too slowly, and are not effective across a wide range of temperatures and pH levels, leading to inefficient formation stimulation and potential re-healing issues.
Innovation Solution
A breaking system comprising a thermal hydrolyzable ester component and an oxidative component, where the esters hydrolyze between 100° F. and 260° F. to generate organic acids, controlling the breakdown of borate cross-linked fracturing fluids while minimizing residuals and re-healing, even at reduced temperatures or pH levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional oxidative breakers or enzymes are used to break borate cross-linked fracturing fluids, then the fluid viscosity is reduced, but the breaking occurs in time periods shorter or longer than needed to complete formation stimulation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the breaking system by using a two-component system (oxidative component and ester component) where the ester component hydrolyzes to generate organic acids that catalyze the oxidative breaking. This controlled chemical parameter change enables breaking to occur at the optimal moment during formation stimulation, neither too early nor too late, thereby resolving the timing contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The ester component is introduced in advance into the fracturing fluid formulation, but it remains dormant until it reaches bottom hole conditions where it hydrolyzes. This preliminary action allows the breaking mechanism to be prepared and activated at the precise moment needed, ensuring the breaking time aligns with formation stimulation completion.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing breakers are used, then fluid viscosity is reduced, but they are only effective in narrow ranges of temperatures which are not necessarily identical to bottom hole conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a temperature-sensitive hydrolysis mechanism where the ester component is designed to hydrolyze specifically within the bottom hole temperature range. This parameter change approach allows the breaking system to be ineffective at surface temperatures (preventing premature breaking) while becoming highly effective at bottom hole temperatures, thus expanding the operational temperature range and ensuring reliability at target conditions.
3Productivity
If conventional breakers are used to reduce fluid viscosity, then breaking occurs, but residuals are produced and re-healing occurs when temperature or pH is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the typically harmful effect of organic acid generation into a beneficial catalyst for complete breaking. The organic acids produced by ester hydrolysis catalyze the oxidative breaking reaction, ensuring complete polymer degradation rather than partial breaking that leaves residuals. This eliminates re-healing by achieving thorough breakdown of the borate cross-links, even when temperature or pH conditions change after breaking.
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 system allows for controlled viscosity reduction of borate cross-linked fracturing fluids within the desired time frame for formation stimulation, producing fewer residuals and reducing re-healing, thus enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of fracturing operations.
Implementation Method 1
the esters hydrolyze at a temperature range between about 100° F. and about 260° F. to generate organic acids in situ
Implementation Method 2
an oxidative component... adapted to reduce a viscosity of a borate viscosified fluid to a desired lower value
Data Source
AI summary
Breaking compositions are disclosed for controlled breaking of borate cross-linked fracturing fluids, and to method for making and using same, where the composition includes an oxidative component and an ester component.