Friction Reducer Composition Nanocellulose High Salinity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional friction reducers used in slickwater fracturing are sensitive to high salt concentrations, leading to reduced friction reduction performance and viscosity in saline fluids, limiting the use of seawater or produced water for hydraulic fracturing, and potentially damaging the formation with polymer residues.

Innovation Solution

A friction reducing composition comprising a synthetic water-soluble polymer blended with nanocellulose, such as microfibrillated cellulose, which maintains effective friction reduction and viscosity in high salinity conditions, including fluids with total dissolved solids over 50,000 mg/L, reducing the need for freshwater and minimizing formation damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional friction reducers are used in high salinity conditions, then friction reduction performance is improved, but viscosity decreases and polymer residues damage the formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction reduction performanceVSAvoidformation damage from polymer residues

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines synthetic water-soluble polymer with nanocellulose to create a composite friction reducer system. This composite approach allows the polymer to provide friction reduction while the nanocellulose enhances stability in high salinity conditions, reducing polymer residue accumulation and formation damage while maintaining effective friction reduction performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the friction reducer by incorporating nanocellulose at specific concentrations (0.1-5 wt%). This parameter change enables the system to maintain optimal viscosity and friction reduction performance in high TDS environments without causing formation damage from excessive polymer residues

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If synthetic water-soluble polymer is used alone, then friction reduction is achieved, but salt tolerance is limited and performance decreases in high TDS fluids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction reduction performanceVSAvoidsalt tolerance

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite system combining synthetic water-soluble polymer with nanocellulose. The nanocellulose component provides enhanced salt tolerance and stability in high TDS conditions, allowing the polymer to maintain its friction reduction performance across a wider range of salinity conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The nanocellulose acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the polymer and the high salinity environment. It stabilizes the polymer structure in high TDS fluids, preventing performance degradation while maintaining friction reduction effectiveness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Force

If friction reducer concentration is increased to maintain viscosity in high salt conditions, then viscosity is maintained, but polymer residues increase and damage formation

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveviscosityVSAvoidformation damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The composite of polymer and nanocellulose allows maintenance of optimal viscosity at lower overall concentrations. The nanocellulose enhances the system's salt tolerance, preventing viscosity collapse in high TDS conditions without requiring excessive polymer that would lead to formation damage from residue accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 composition achieves high friction reduction rates (>65%) and viscosity maintenance in high salt environments, enabling efficient hydraulic fracturing with saline fluids while reducing freshwater competition and minimizing formation damage.

Implementation Method 1

A friction reducer is a chemical additive that alters fluid rheological properties to reduce friction created within the fluid, and between the fluid and walls of the pipeline as it flows through the pipeline

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRheological modification:

Implementation Method 2

the friction reducer helps reduce the friction pressure caused by high injection rate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS11401458B2Friction reducer compositions

Publication Date: 2022.08.02 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

Methods and systems for reducing friction in fracturing fluids are disclosed. An exemplary friction reducing composition includes a synthetic water-soluble polymer and a nanocellulose. This friction reducing composition is added to aqueous saline fluid for hydraulic fracturing treatment of hydrocarbon wells.