Fracturing Fluid Polymer Composition for High Solid Water
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for fracturing fluids that effectively function in high total solid waters, which are commonly encountered in oil and gas production, and existing formulations are costly and inefficient in reducing gelling interactions between oppositely charged polymers.
Innovation Solution
A polymer composition comprising a mixture of hydratable cationic and anionic polymers, optimized with specific ion concentrations in a water composition to reduce gelling interactions, forming a fracturing fluid with similar drag reduction and hydration viscosity to traditional fracturing fluids at a lower cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional fracturing fluid formulations are used, then effective drag reduction is achieved, but cost increases and gelling interactions occur between oppositely charged polymers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the ionic environment parameters by adding specific concentrations of monovalent and/or polyvalent ions to the water composition. This parameter change screens the electrostatic interactions between cationic and anionic polymers, preventing gelling while maintaining drag reduction performance. The ion concentration is optimized to achieve the desired effect without causing precipitation or excessive viscosity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces ions as an intermediary substance that mediates the interaction between oppositely charged polymers. These ions act as counterions that shield the charged groups on polymer chains, preventing direct electrostatic attraction and gel formation. The ions serve as a protective intermediary that allows both cationic and anionic polymers to coexist in solution without harmful interactions.
2Ease of manufacture
If cationic and anionic polymers are mixed to reduce drag, then cost decreases, but gelling interactions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical environment by adjusting ion concentration parameters to enable the use of lower-cost cationic and anionic polymer blends. The optimized ion composition allows these cost-effective polymers to be used together without forming gels, thus achieving both cost reduction and operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful gelling interaction between oppositely charged polymers into a beneficial low-cost formulation strategy. By using ions to control and moderate the polymer-polymer interactions, the harmful gelation is transformed into a controllable parameter that enables economical fluid design while maintaining performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If high total solid waters are used, then availability increases, but polymer performance deteriorates due to gelling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the ionic strength and composition parameters of the water system to accommodate high total solid conditions. By optimizing the concentration and type of ions present, the patent creates an ionic environment that suppresses polymer gelling even in the presence of high dissolved solids, thereby maintaining polymer performance in previously unsuitable water sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses ions as intermediary agents that mediate between the high total solid water environment and the polymer molecules. These ionic intermediaries shield the polymer charges from each other and from the effects of dissolved solids, preventing gelling and maintaining fluid performance in high-availability but previously problematic water sources.
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 solution provides a cost-effective fracturing fluid with improved performance in high total solid waters, reducing gelling interactions and maintaining drag reduction and hydration viscosity, thus enhancing oil and gas production efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a water composition having an effective amount of ions sufficient to reduce gelling interactions between the oppositely charged polymers
Data Source
AI summary
Polymer compositions and fracturing fluids derived therefrom including a mixture of cationic hydratable polymers and anionic hydratable polymers, where the polymer composition and a hydrating water composition properties are optimized to afford a similar drag reduction and hydration viscosity compared to fracturing fluids in the absence of hydratable anionic polymers at a lower cost and methods for making and using same.