Hydrolyzable Compounds for Subterranean Gel Breakdown
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for breaking crosslinked gels in subterranean formations during hydraulic fracturing are inefficient, particularly at lower temperatures, leading to incomplete gel removal and potential rehealing, which hinders fluid flow and production rates.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a hydrolyzable compound, such as esters or anhydrides, is introduced to reduce pH downhole, breaking crosslinked gels more effectively and preventing rehealing by hydrolyzing in the subterranean formation, either alone or in conjunction with other breakers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If oxidative or enzymatic breakers are used to remove crosslinked gel, then gel removal is attempted, but the breakers suffer from poor efficiency and failure to provide adequate breakdown, especially at lower temperatures, causing gels to reheal and fail to enable efficient removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical mechanism parameter from oxidative/enzymatic breakdown to hydrolytic breakdown by introducing hydrolyzable compounds. This parameter change enables effective gel breakdown at lower temperatures where oxidative and enzymatic breakers fail, preventing gel rehealing and improving both productivity and reliability of gel removal operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces hydrolyzable compounds as intermediary substances that facilitate gel breakdown. These compounds act as mediators between the fracturing fluid system and the crosslinked gel structure, providing a reliable breakdown mechanism that works across a broader temperature range compared to direct oxidative or enzymatic approaches.
2Strength
If crosslinked gel is used to provide viscous fluid for downhole operations, then sufficient penetration and width are achieved, but the high viscosity makes removal difficult and gels may reheal as temperature drops
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic control to the gel system by using hydrolyzable compounds that respond to downhole conditions. The gel maintains its viscous structure during injection and placement, then dynamically transitions to a broken state when hydrolyzable compounds are introduced, enabling easy removal. This dynamic approach allows the gel to be strong when needed and removable when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates hydrolyzable compounds into the fracturing fluid or gel formulation in advance. These compounds are prepared beforehand to hydrolyze under specific downhole conditions, ensuring that gel breakdown capability is pre-established without requiring additional intervention during the removal phase.
3Productivity
If gel is broken down to enable removal, then fluid flow is improved, but incomplete breakdown occurs with existing breakers leading to potential rehealing and hindered production rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical breakdown mechanism parameter to hydrolysis, which provides more complete and reliable gel destruction compared to oxidative or enzymatic methods. This parameter change ensures complete breakdown of crosslinked structures, preventing rehealing and maximizing production rates by eliminating incomplete breakdown issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydrolyzable compounds that provide inherent feedback control for gel breakdown. The hydrolysis reaction progresses until complete breakdown is achieved, with the chemical mechanism itself providing the feedback signal for when breakdown is sufficient, eliminating the uncertainty and incompleteness associated with oxidative and enzymatic breakers.
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 enables more complete and efficient gel removal, maintaining lower viscosity and preventing gel rehealing, thereby enhancing permeability and increasing production rates by ensuring effective breakdown of crosslinked gels at various temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
The method includes at least partially hydrolyzing the hydrolyzable compound to reduce the pH downhole
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to hydrolyzable compounds for treatment of a subterranean formation and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation including obtaining or providing a composition comprising a hydrolyzable compound comprising at least one of an ester and an anhydride. The method can include placing the composition in a subterranean formation, and at least partially hydrolyzing the hydrolyzable compound to reduce the pH downhole. In various embodiments, the subterranean formation can include a crosslinked gel, and the method can include at least partially breaking the crosslinked gel to provide a broken gel. The method can include at least partially removing the broken gel from the subterranean formation.