Fracturing Fluid Cleanup Using Reactive Dual Emulsions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Tight reservoirs with low permeability face challenges in oil and gas production due to low production yields, necessitating reservoir stimulation through hydraulic fracturing, where efficient cleanup of fracturing fluids is crucial for improved yield.

Innovation Solution

A method and system involving the use of two emulsions, a first emulsion for fracturing and a second emulsion for cleanup, where the second emulsion reacts with the first to generate heat and gas, reducing viscosity and hydrostatic pressure to facilitate flowback of the fracturing fluid.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If hydraulic fracturing is performed to stimulate tight reservoirs, then production yields are improved, but fracturing fluid cleanup becomes difficult due to low permeability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction yieldsVSAvoidfracturing fluid cleanup

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the fracturing fluid by using a bi-degradable polymer gel that transforms from a high-viscosity gel state to a low-viscosity liquid state through chemical degradation. This parameter change enables the fluid to flow back easily through the low-permeability reservoir rock after completing its fracturing function, resolving the cleanup difficulty while maintaining high productivity during the fracturing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If viscous fracturing fluid is used to prop open fractures, then fracture propagation is improved, but fluid flowback is hindered due to high viscosity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture propagationVSAvoidfluid flowback

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies a dynamic approach where the fracturing fluid's viscosity is not static but changes over time. The bi-degradable polymer gel maintains high viscosity during the fracturing operation to effectively prop open fractures, then naturally degrades over time to reduce viscosity and enable rapid fluid flowback. This dynamic property resolution allows the same fluid to serve both functions at different time stages

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of high-viscosity fluid remaining in the reservoir (which would hinder flowback) into a benefit by using bi-degradable polymers that naturally break down. The degradation process transforms the harmful high-viscosity state into a beneficial low-viscosity state, enabling easy flowback while the degradation byproducts are environmentally friendly and do not harm the reservoir

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 reaction between the emulsions enhances fracturing fluid flowback, improving production rates by reducing hydrostatic pressure and increasing permeability, thus facilitating higher recovery volumes and cleaner reservoirs.

Implementation Method 1

Heat and a gas may be generated from a reaction of mixing of the first emulsion and the second emulsion. The first emulsion may be destabilized by the heat of the reaction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectExothermic reaction: Exothermic Reaction

Implementation Method 2

Heat and a gas may be generated from a reaction of mixing of the first emulsion and the second emulsion. The gas may reduce hydrostatic pressure to facilitate flowback of the first emulsion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas generation through chemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 3

using a mixing system, emulsifying a first emulsion. The first emulsion may include a first aqueous phase, and a first hydrocarbon phase

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEmulsification: Emulsion

Implementation Method 4

The second emulsion may include a second aqueous phase, a second hydrocarbon phase, and a second surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS12584391B2Methods and systems of clean-up for a fracturing fluid

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

Methods and systems are disclosed herein. A method may include emulsifying a first emulsion, wherein the first emulsion includes a first aqueous phase, a first hydrocarbon phase, and a first surfactant. The method may include pumping the first emulsion into the subterranean region of interest. The method may include emulsifying a second emulsion, wherein the second emulsion includes a second aqueous phase, a second hydrocarbon phase, and a second surfactant. The method may include pumping the second emulsion into the subterranean region of interest after a pre-determined time, wherein heat and a gas are generated from a reaction of mixing the first emulsion and the second emulsion, wherein the first emulsion is destabilized by the heat of the reaction, and wherein the gas reduces hydrostatic pressure to facilitate flowback of the first emulsion.