Friction-Reducer Compositions for Lateral Wellbore Pressure Drop

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Solution Overview

Problem

Enhanced oil recovery methods face challenges in improving fluid distribution along the lateral segment and into the toe of a wellbore, leading to decreased hydrocarbon recovery due to poor fluid distribution and pressure drop issues in unconventional subterranean formations.

Innovation Solution

The use of aqueous fluids containing friction reducers, such as synthetic polymers like polyacrylamides and polyvinyl alcohol, injected into the wellbore to reduce pressure drop and enhance fluid distribution, accompanied by monitoring with fiber optic equipment and well treatment agents to optimize fluid flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If aqueous fluid is injected into the unconventional subterranean formation, then fluid distribution along the lateral segment and into the toe of the wellbore is improved, but pressure drop along the lateral segment increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid distributionVSAvoidpressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the rheological parameters of the aqueous fluid by adding friction reducers (polymers) to modify viscosity and flow characteristics. This allows the fluid to maintain low pressure drop while achieving improved distribution along the lateral segment and into the toe of the wellbore.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The friction reducer acts as an intermediary substance between the aqueous fluid and the wellbore walls, reducing the frictional resistance and enabling smoother flow. This intermediary allows the fluid to penetrate deeper into the formation with less pressure loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stress or pressure

If friction reducer is added to aqueous fluid, then pressure drop is reduced, but fluid viscosity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepressure dropVSAvoidfluid viscosity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stress or pressureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent carefully controls the concentration of friction reducers (polymers) in the aqueous fluid to optimize the balance between pressure drop reduction and viscosity management. By adjusting polymer concentration, the fluid achieves sufficient drag reduction while maintaining acceptable viscosity for effective flow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach achieves a drag reduction percentage of 50% to 95%, improving fluid distribution and reducing pressure drop along the lateral segment of the wellbore, thereby enhancing hydrocarbon recovery.

Implementation Method 1

injection of the aqueous fluid can decrease pressure drop along the lateral segment of the wellbore. The decrease in pressure drop along the lateral segment of the wellbore can be measured as a drag reduction percentage (DR %) calculated using the equation below: wherein dPwater is the calculated value for pressure drop along the lateral segment of the wellbore for water, and dPFR is the pressure drop along the later segment of the wellbore for the aqueous fluid.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction reduction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20250334038A1Compositions containing friction reducers and methods of using thereof in oil and gas operations

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 CHEVRON USA INC

AI summary

Described are compositions and methods for use in oil and gas operations. The methods can decrease pressure drop along a lateral segment of a wellbore in an unconventional subterranean formation.