Water-Soluble Graphene Oxide Fracturing Fluid

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current hydraulic fracturing fluids face challenges in reducing friction and viscosity at high temperatures, leading to increased treatment pressures and potential formation damage, particularly due to the limitations of slickwater and guar-based fluids.

Innovation Solution

A fracturing fluid comprising an acrylamide-based copolymer, graphene oxide additive, and a metal crosslinker is introduced, which reduces friction and viscosity by incorporating water-soluble graphene oxide or bifacially hydrophilically-modified graphene oxide nanosheets, stabilizing the fluid at high temperatures and enabling efficient proppant transport.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Force

If slickwater is used as fracturing fluid, then friction pressure is reduced, but proppant carrying capacity is limited and pumping rate must be increased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefriction pressureVSAvoidproppant carrying capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines water-soluble graphene oxide nanosheets with acrylamide-based polymers to create a composite fracturing fluid system. The graphene oxide nanosheets provide friction reduction through their lubricating properties, while the polymer provides viscosity enhancement for proppant suspension. This composite approach allows the fluid to simultaneously achieve low friction and high proppant carrying capacity without requiring high pumping rates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If guar-based fracturing fluids are used to transport higher proppant concentrations, then proppant carrying capacity is improved, but insoluble residue causes permeability reduction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproppant carrying capacityVSAvoidpermeability reduction

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs water-soluble graphene oxide nanosheets that can be easily degraded and removed after fracturing treatment. Unlike guar-based fluids that leave persistent insoluble residues, the graphene oxide-based system provides temporary viscosity enhancement for proppant transport during the treatment, then degrades to water-soluble components that do not cause long-term formation damage or permeability reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Temperature

If guar-based fracturing fluids are used at high pH to work at high temperatures, then temperature stability is improved, but divalent ion scales form

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoiddivalent ion scales

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the temperature-dependent solubility and stability characteristics of water-soluble graphene oxide nanosheets to maintain fluid performance at high temperatures without requiring high pH conditions. The graphene oxide structure remains stable and effective at temperatures up to 450°F under neutral or near-neutral pH, preventing the formation of divalent ion scales that would occur with traditional guar-based high pH systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Temperature

If high dosage of acrylamide-based polymers is used for high temperature stability, then temperature stability is improved, but formation damage occurs due to incomplete degradation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetemperature stabilityVSAvoidformation damage

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a composite system where water-soluble graphene oxide nanosheets work synergistically with reduced concentrations of acrylamide-based polymers. The graphene oxide component provides significant temperature stability and friction reduction at low polymer dosages, enabling the use of lower polymer concentrations that can be more completely degraded, thereby reducing formation damage while maintaining high-temperature performance.

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 solution effectively reduces fluid viscosity by 5-65% and enhances friction reduction, allowing for more efficient proppant transport and stable operation at temperatures up to 450°F, thereby improving hydraulic fracturing outcomes.

Implementation Method 1

water-soluble graphene oxide or bifacially hydrophilically-modified graphene oxide nanosheets, stabilizing the fluid at high temperatures and enabling efficient proppant transport

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Implementation Method 2

a fracturing fluid comprising an acrylamide-based copolymer; a graphene oxide (GO) additive; and a crosslinker comprising a metal

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCrosslinking: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS20240368458A1Water-soluble graphene oxide nanosheet assisted high temperature fracturing fluid

Publication Date: 2024.11.07 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

This disclosure relates to a fracturing fluid including an acrylamide-based copolymer, a graphene oxide additive, and a crosslinker, and methods of using the fracturing fluid to reduce fluid friction during treatment of a subterranean formation.