Fatty Acid Salt Precipitation for Reservoir Conformance Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery, such as the use of polymers, gels, and foams, are limited in sweep efficiency and hydrocarbon recovery capabilities due to non-uniform conformance in subterranean reservoirs.
Innovation Solution
Introduce a fatty acid salt comprising a fatty acid and a metal cation, such as a transition metal or lanthanide metal, to a subterranean reservoir to form a precipitant with oleaginous hydrocarbons, reducing permeability and enhancing conformance for improved hydrocarbon mobilization and recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods (polymers, gels, foams) are used for conformance control, then hydrocarbon mobilization is achieved, but sweep efficiency is limited due to non-uniform conformance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters by using fatty acid salts with specific chain lengths and metal cations to form precipitants with different solubility characteristics, enabling uniform conformance control and improved sweep efficiency compared to conventional polymers and gels
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite precipitants by combining fatty acid salts with specific metal cations (such as calcium, barium, or strontium) to form insoluble compounds that provide uniform conformance control, representing a new class of materials beyond conventional single-component systems
2Manufacturing precision
If fatty acid salt is introduced to form precipitant, then sweep efficiency and conformance are improved, but additional chemical components and processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the conformance control function and precipitant formation into a single chemical system by combining fatty acid salts with metal cations, eliminating the need for separate polymers, gels, or foams and simplifying the overall chemical component structure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention discards complex conventional conformance control materials (polymers, gels, foams) and recovers simplified functionality through fatty acid salt precipitants that achieve the same conformance control purpose with fewer components and easier handling
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 formation of a precipitant increases sweep efficiency and conformance in subterranean reservoirs, leading to enhanced hydrocarbon recovery by promoting uniform fluid flow and mobilization.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the fatty acid salt with the oleaginous hydrocarbons, wherein the fatty acid salt and the oleaginous hydrocarbons form a precipitant
Data Source
AI summary
Fatty acid salts may be used in subterranean reservoirs for conformance control. For example, methods may include: introducing a fatty acid salt including a fatty acid and a metal cation including a transition metal or a lanthanide metal to a subterranean reservoir, wherein the subterranean reservoir includes oleaginous hydrocarbons; contacting the fatty acid salt with the oleaginous hydrocarbons, wherein the fatty acid salt and the oleaginous hydrocarbons form a precipitant; and recovering oleaginous hydrocarbons from the subterranean reservoir.