Fluoroalkyl Polymers and Nanoparticles for Low-Retention EOR Flooding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing polymer flooding methods in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) face challenges with high polymer retention in reservoir rock, which affects the efficiency and economic viability of oil recovery.

Innovation Solution

The use of polymers and nanoparticles with fluoroalkyl groups, such as partially-hydrolyzed copolymers of fluoroalkyl acrylate and acrylamide, or surface-treated silica nanoparticles with zwitterionic and fluoroalkyl groups, to reduce retention and enhance sweep efficiency in polymer and nanoflooding processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional polymers are used in polymer flooding, then viscosity enhancement and mobility reduction are achieved, but polymer retention in reservoir rock increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobility reductionVSAvoidpolymer retention

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical structure of polymers by introducing fluoroalkyl groups and zwitterionic groups to change their interaction properties with reservoir rock, thereby reducing retention while maintaining mobility reduction capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite polymer structures combining hydrophilic zwitterionic groups with hydrophobic fluoroalkyl groups to create materials that simultaneously achieve low retention and effective mobility control in heterogeneous reservoirs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If polymer concentration is increased to improve sweep efficiency, then mobility ratio decreases, but polymer retention and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesweep efficiencyVSAvoidpolymer retention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymer to optimize the balance between sweep efficiency and retention, allowing effective flooding at lower polymer concentrations through enhanced mobility control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If conventional waterflooding is used, then injection is simple, but sweep efficiency is low in heterogeneous reservoirs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinjection simplicityVSAvoidsweep efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the fluid parameters by adding polymers with specific chemical groups to change the mobility characteristics of the flood water, improving sweep efficiency while maintaining operational simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite polymer molecules with dual functionality (zwitterionic and fluoroalkyl groups) to achieve both mobility control and compatibility with heterogeneous reservoir conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS12421444B2Polymers and nanoparticles for flooding

Publication Date: 2025.09.23 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

A method and compounds for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) including flooding of a mixture of water and one or more of the compounds in a geological formation. The compounds have a fluoroalkyl group.