In-situ Emulsification System for Heavy Oil Water-Flooding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current water-flooding technologies face challenges in high-temperature and high-salt oil reservoirs due to polymer degradation and viscosity issues, leading to low efficiency and high residual oil saturation, especially in heavy oil reservoirs with varying permeability and water content.
Innovation Solution
An in-situ emulsification and viscosity increase system using a combination of water-soluble and oil-soluble surfactants with lipophilic colloidal particles, forming a water-in-oil emulsion that is hydrodynamically stable and thermodynamically unstable, suitable for a wide range of aqueous conditions, effectively controlling fluidity and expanding sweep coefficients in water-flooding oil reservoirs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If polymers with amide groups and carboxylic acids are used for high-temperature resistance, then temperature resistance is improved, but the polymer degrades at temperatures above 90°C
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the polymer by introducing temperature-resistant functional monomers (such as vinyl benzene, styrene) and adjusting the molecular structure (comb-shaped, star-shaped, hyperbranched structures) to maintain stability at temperatures above 90°C while preserving oil displacement capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates composite polymer structures by combining temperature-resistant functional groups with oil-displacement functional groups in the same molecular chain, forming a composite material that simultaneously achieves high-temperature resistance and effective oil displacement performance
2Force
If hydrophobic groups are introduced to increase viscosity and temperature resistance, then viscosity and temperature resistance are improved, but the polymer becomes difficult to dissolve in highly mineralized water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by distributing hydrophobic groups and hydrophilic groups at different locations within the polymer molecule, creating segments with different properties that work together - hydrophobic segments provide viscosity and temperature resistance while hydrophilic segments ensure solubility in mineralized water
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains a balanced composition of hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups throughout the polymer structure, creating a homogeneous distribution of functional properties that ensures both viscosity enhancement and adequate solubility in highly mineralized water environments
3Productivity
If water-in-oil emulsion is formed in low water-content area, then oil displacement is improved, but viscous fingering occurs in high water-content area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic emulsion systems that can adapt their properties based on local conditions - the emulsion maintains water-in-oil structure in low water-content areas for effective oil displacement while transitioning to prevent viscous fingering in high water-content areas, achieving dynamic stability across heterogeneous reservoir conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in emulsion composition and structure in response to varying water content and permeability conditions, adjusting the emulsion's physical and chemical parameters to maintain displacement front stability while optimizing oil recovery across different reservoir zones
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 system significantly improves water-flooding efficiency by maintaining high viscosity and stability across varying water contents, enhancing oil recovery rates and reducing injection pressure, with broad applicability and economic benefits.
Implementation Method 1
the water-soluble and oil-soluble composite surfactant cooperates with the lipophilic colloidal particles to promote self-emulsification of crude oil to form a water-in-oil emulsion
Implementation Method 2
Spontaneous emulsification is also known as 'true' spontaneous emulsification, in which oil and water phases are emulsified without any external energy
Implementation Method 3
the water-soluble and oil-soluble composite surfactant cooperates with the lipophilic colloidal particles to promote self-emulsification of crude oil to form a water-in-oil emulsion
Implementation Method 4
An in-situ emulsification and viscosity increase system using a combination of water-soluble and oil-soluble surfactants with lipophilic colloidal particles
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses an in-situ emulsification and viscosity increase system with a high phase change point. The system consists of the following components in percentage by weight: 0.2˜0.5% of water-soluble surfactant, 0.2˜1.5% of oil-soluble surfactant, 0.02˜0.5% of lipophilic colloidal particles, 0.02˜0.2% of carrying agent and the balance of mineralized water. The water-soluble surfactant is one of or a combination of petroleum sulfonate, cocamidopropyl betaine, fatty alcohol ether sulfonate, alkanolamide and alkyl glycoside; the oil-soluble surfactant is one of or a combination of propylene glycol monostearate, fatty glyceride, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene fatty alcohol ether, oleic diethanolamide, dodecylamine, octadecyl primary amine, sodium oleate and petroleum acid; the lipophilic colloidal particles are one of liquid paraffin, graphite powder and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane; the carrying agent is one of carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin, chitosan quaternary ammonium salt, chitosan hydrochloride, xanthan gum and guar gum. The system is used for water-flooding oil reservoirs and can significantly improve the development effect of water-flooding heavy oil reservoirs.