Host-Guest LCM Composition Sealing Sub-Micron Wellbore Fractures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional lost circulation materials (LCMs) are ineffective in sealing sub-micron cracks and fractures in wellbores, leading to continued fluid loss due to their inability to plug smaller openings.
Innovation Solution
A host-guest LCM composition is developed, comprising cyclic molecules and linear polymer chains in an aqueous solution, forming a host-guest structure that can fit into and plug both sub-micron and larger fractures, using polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols, and polydimethylsiloxanes with alpha, beta, or gamma cyclodextrins, which create a flexible and stable plug.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional lost circulation materials (granular, fibrous, flaky, or granular) are used to seal cracks and fractures, then they can plug moderate to large cracks and fractures, but they cannot adequately plug sub-micron sized cracks and fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The lost circulation material is segmented into two distinct components: a host component (natural or synthetic polymer, ceramic, or metal) and a guest component (particulate material with average particle size of 0.1 to 10 microns). This segmentation allows the host to provide structural framework while the fine guest particles fill sub-micron cracks, achieving sealing effectiveness across all crack sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials combining host and guest components with complementary properties. The host material (polymer, ceramic, or metal) provides structural integrity and crack plugging, while the guest particulate material (0.1 to 10 microns) fills sub-micron fractures. This composite approach enables simultaneous sealing of both large and sub-micron cracks, resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and crack plugging capability.
2Area of stationary object
If larger particulate materials are used to plug fractures, then they can seal larger cracks, but they cannot penetrate and seal sub-micron fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is segmented into host and guest components with different size ranges. The host provides the structural framework for large fracture sealing, while the guest component (0.1 to 10 microns) specifically targets sub-micron cracks. This segmentation enables the system to address both large and sub-micron fractures simultaneously without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lost circulation material have different qualities: the host component addresses large fracture areas, while the fine guest particles (0.1 to 10 microns) concentrate on sub-micron crack sealing. This local differentiation of material properties allows simultaneous effective sealing across all fracture sizes, resolving the contradiction between sealing area and sub-micron plugging capability.
3Device complexity
If single-component LCM materials are used, then the formulation is simple, but they cannot simultaneously plug both large and sub-micron fractures
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two functional components into a single lost circulation material system: the host component (polymer, ceramic, or metal) that seals large fractures and the guest component (particulate material, 0.1 to 10 microns) that seals sub-micron cracks. This merging enables comprehensive sealing of all crack sizes while maintaining a unified material formulation that can be applied together, balancing formulation simplicity with comprehensive sealing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The combined host-guest LCM system provides multi-functionality: the host component seals large fractures and provides structural support, while the guest component seals sub-micron cracks. This universal formulation simultaneously performs multiple sealing functions across different crack sizes, achieving comprehensive crack sealing without requiring separate materials for different fracture types.
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 LCM composition significantly reduces filtration loss through the wellbore wall by effectively sealing both sub-micron and larger fractures, enhancing the stability of the wellbore and reducing the risk of collapse or sloughing.
Implementation Method 1
one or more cyclic molecules form a host-guest structure around the one or more linear polymer chains utilizing van der Waals forces
Data Source
AI summary
In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a host-guest lost circulation material (LCM) composition for sealing lost circulation zones in wellbores includes an aqueous solution; one or more linear polymer chains, the linear polymer chains comprising polyethylene glycols (PEG) with molecular weights greater than 2500 g/mol, polypropylene glycols (PPG), polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS), or combinations thereof; and one or more cyclic molecules comprising alpha cyclodextrin, beta cyclodextrin, gamma cyclodextrin, or combinations thereof, and wherein the one or more cyclic molecules form a host-guest structure around the one or more linear polymer chains utilizing van der Waals forces.