Fluid Mobility Modifiers Reduce Emulsion Tendency in Fracturing Fluids
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fracturing fluids used in subterranean formations often form emulsions due to immiscibility, leading to phase trapping and impaired hydrocarbon production, as existing non-emulsifiers are not universally effective across different fracturing fluid formulations.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a fluid mobility modifier comprising a polymeric gelling agent and a surfactant blend, including non-ionic and cationic surfactants, and a solvent-surfactant blend that forms oil-in-water microemulsions, reduces the emulsion tendency of treatment fluids by altering their surface tension, thereby improving fluid mobility and production in subterranean formations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If non-emulsifiers are used to treat emulsion tendency in fracturing fluids, then emulsion formation is reduced in certain formulations, but the solution is not universally effective across different fracturing fluid types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a single emulsion treatment composition that works across multiple fracturing fluid formulations. The composition uses a specific combination of surfactants (anionic, nonionic, and/or cationic) with HLB values ranging from 3 to 20 that can effectively treat emulsion tendencies in various base fluids including water-based, oil-based, and synthetic-based fracturing fluids, eliminating the need for formulation-specific treatments
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully selecting surfactants with specific HLB (hydrophile-lipophile balance) values between 3 and 20. This parameter specification allows the treatment composition to adapt to different emulsion tendencies in various fracturing fluid formulations. The surfactant blend can be adjusted within this HLB range to match the specific emulsion characteristics of different fluid systems
2Strength
If fracturing fluids are viscosified using gelling agents and chemicals, then fluid viscosity is increased for effective fracturing, but the chemicals may damage the subterranean formation by blocking pore throats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of emulsion formation into a beneficial outcome by using the same emulsion-treating surfactants to improve fluid mobility after fracturing. The surfactants that reduce emulsion tendencies also reduce capillary end effects and phase trapping, transforming what was previously a formation-damaging mechanism into a productivity-enhancing mechanism
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces surfactants as intermediary substances that mediate between the fracturing fluid and the formation. These surfactants reduce surface tension and interfacial forces, allowing the viscous fracturing fluid to perform its function while minimizing harmful interactions with the formation pore structure
3Productivity
If fracturing fluids are pumped at high pressure to form fractures, then fracture conductivity is improved, but fluid invasion and phase trapping occur due to capillary end effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful capillary end effects into a beneficial outcome by using surfactants to reduce interfacial tension. The same surfactant mechanism that causes capillary trapping under high pressure is reversed by adding surfactants that lower the interfacial tension, thereby reducing the capillary pressure and allowing trapped phases to mobilize and flow freely
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the interfacial tension parameter through surfactant addition. By reducing the interfacial tension between immiscible fluids in the fracturing fluid, the capillary pressure that causes phase trapping is reduced, allowing maintained productivity while preventing fluid invasion
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 these fluid mobility modifiers effectively reduces emulsion tendencies in treatment fluids, enhancing the productivity of subterranean formations by preventing phase trapping and improving fluid flow, and can be applied in various subterranean and non-subterranean operations across industries.
Implementation Method 1
A fluid mobility modifier may be introduced into a treatment fluid so as to cause the treatment fluid to adopt a second surface tension that is less than a first surface tension of the treatment fluid
Implementation Method 2
a solvent-surfactant blend that forms oil-in-water microemulsions
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments including methods comprising providing a treatment fluid comprising a first aqueous base fluid and a polymeric gelling agent, wherein the treatment fluid comprises a first surface tension; introducing a fluid mobility modifier into the treatment fluid, wherein the fluid mobility modifier comprises: a first surfactant selected from the group consisting of a non-ionic surfactant; a cationic surfactant; and any combination thereof, and a solvent-surfactant blend comprising a second aqueous base fluid, a second surfactant, a solvent, and a co-solvent, wherein the ratio of the first surfactant to the solvent-surfactant blend is in the range of between about 1:5 to about 5:1, wherein the fluid mobility modifier causes the treatment fluid to adopt a second surface tension that is less than the first surface tension; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.