Glycol Ether Diluent Solids-Control Fluid for Wellbore Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wellbore operations face challenges with solids control in subterranean formations, as conventional fluids can cause formation damage, reduce production rates, and are inefficient, especially in high-clay-content and long lateral wellbore intervals, due to premature activation of resin formulations and loss of fluid communication.
Innovation Solution
A solids-control fluid comprising a glycol ether diluent, such as polyalkylene glycol monobutyl ether, combined with a polymeric furfuryl resin and a resin activator, is used to control the flow of solids, with a multi-stage fluid placement process involving pre-flush, spacer, and post-flush fluids to optimize sand consolidation and prevent premature activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional control fluids are used to control solids flow, then solids flow control is achieved, but production rates decline and formation damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the control fluid by using a water-soluble polymer with specific molecular weight (10,000 to 1,000,000 Daltons) and specific functional groups, along with controlled concentration ranges (0.1 to 10 pounds per barrel), to achieve effective solids control while maintaining production rates. This resolves the contradiction by optimizing fluid composition parameters to balance control effectiveness with formation protection.
2Strength
If resin formulations are activated early to control solids, then solids consolidation improves, but fluid communication is lost and operation becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by injecting the polymer solution before resin activation, allowing the polymer to first establish fluid communication pathways and reduce solids mobility. The resin is then activated subsequently to provide consolidation strength. This sequential approach prevents premature activation issues while achieving both fluid communication and solids control.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment process is segmented into distinct stages: (1) polymer injection for initial solids control and fluid communication, (2) resin activation for consolidation strength. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function optimally without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between early activation benefits and operational complexity.
3Productivity
If higher production rates are used to extract hydrocarbons, then extraction efficiency improves, but solids transport into wellbore increases
Solution Approach 1:
The water-soluble polymer acts as an intermediary substance between the produced fluids and solids. It modifies the fluid properties to prevent solids from attaching to or being transported by the produced fluids into the wellbore, while allowing high production rates to continue. This intermediary approach enables maintaining productivity without the harmful solids transport effect.
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 effectively maintains high unconfined consolidation strength and reduces damage to the formation, ensuring efficient control of solids flow and maintaining wellbore integrity, even in high-clay-content and long lateral wellbore intervals, by preventing premature resin activation and ensuring effective adhesion of the resin to formation minerals.
Implementation Method 1
A solids-control fluid comprising a glycol ether diluent, such as polyalkylene glycol monobutyl ether, combined with a polymeric furfuryl resin
Implementation Method 2
a multi-stage fluid placement process involving pre-flush, spacer, and post-flush fluids to optimize sand consolidation and prevent premature activation
Data Source
AI summary
A solids-control fluid for controlling flow of solids in a subterranean formation is disclosed herein. The solids-control fluid can include a diluent and a curable resin. The diluent can include a glycol ether. The curable resin can be dispersed within the diluent for controlling flow of solids in the subterranean formation.