Hydrocarbon-Based Fracturing Fluid Slurry Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydraulic fracturing fluids face challenges such as precipitation and phase separation of solid additives during transportation and storage, especially at high temperatures, which complicates re-blending and affects efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A reduced-polymer-loading, high-temperature fracturing fluid composition that includes a polymer slurry with a hydrocarbon-based solvent, a polymer powder, and additives like polar surfactants, hydrocarbon-soluble polymers, or organophilic clay, which is stable at temperatures between 80°F to 150°F and hydrates quickly with an aqueous carrier fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If dry polymer powders are used in hydrocarbon-based slurry, then viscosity can be achieved, but precipitation and phase separation occur during storage and transportation especially at high temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a hydrophilic-hydrophobic balanced polymer as an intermediary substance that mediates between the hydrocarbon-based solvent and the aqueous carrier fluid. This polymer has both hydrophobic segments that interact with the hydrocarbon solvent and hydrophilic segments that interact with water, preventing phase separation and precipitation while maintaining system stability during storage and transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymer by selecting specific polymers with balanced hydrophilic-hydrophobic properties. This parameter change allows the polymer to remain soluble in hydrocarbon-based solvents at high temperatures while still being able to hydrate with aqueous carrier fluids, thus resolving the stability-reliability contradiction.
2Stability of the object's composition
If oil-based slurries are used to replace dry powder, then stability improves, but precipitation of solid additives occurs during transportation and prolonged storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-mixing the polymer powder with the hydrocarbon-based solvent and hydrophilic-hydrophobic balanced polymer in a controlled environment before transportation. This preliminary mixing ensures uniform distribution of components and prevents precipitation during storage, eliminating the need for time-consuming re-blending operations later.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite slurry system combining hydrocarbon-based solvent, polymer powder, and hydrophilic-hydrophobic balanced polymer. This composite material structure maintains stability during storage while preventing precipitation, thus avoiding time loss associated with re-blending operations.
3Stability of the object's composition
If water-based suspensions are used to avoid precipitation, then stability improves, but much larger volumes are needed to deliver the same effective amount of proppant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the base fluid from water-based to hydrocarbon-based with hydrophilic-hydrophobic balanced polymer. This parameter change allows the system to maintain stability without requiring excessive volumes, as the hydrocarbon-based slurry with balanced polymer achieves both stability and appropriate viscosity with much lower fluid volumes compared to traditional water-based suspensions.
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 stable fracturing fluid that prevents phase separation, allows for easy rehydration, and reduces transport costs, while maintaining effective viscosity and permeability in high-temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The polymer slurry includes a hydrocarbon-based solvent having a polymer powder and at least one of a polar surfactant, a hydrocarbon-soluble polymer, or an organophilic clay
Implementation Method 2
The polymer slurry includes a hydrocarbon-based solvent having a polymer powder and at least one of a polar surfactant, a hydrocarbon-soluble polymer, or an organophilic clay
Implementation Method 3
The polymer slurry includes a hydrocarbon-based solvent having a polymer powder and at least one of a polar surfactant, a hydrocarbon-soluble polymer, or an organophilic clay
Implementation Method 4
The polymer slurry includes a hydrocarbon-based solvent having a polymer powder and at least one of a polar surfactant, a hydrocarbon-soluble polymer, or an organophilic clay
Implementation Method 5
hydrates quickly with an aqueous carrier fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Hydratable polymer slurries comprising: a hydrocarbon-based solvent, a hydratable polymer powder comprising a polyacrylamide, a partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide, or both, a polar surfactant comprising C9-C11 alcohols reacted with ethylene oxide to produce ethoxylates, a hydrocarbon-soluble polymer comprising a linear diblock copolymer based on styrene and ethylene/propylene, and, an organophilic clay comprising clay treated with an amine, wherein the hydratable polymer slurry is prepared at a temperature from 22° C. to 60° C. by mixing. And fracturing fluids made from the hydratable polymer slurry.