Stable Inverse Emulsion Polymer Composition for Rapid EOR Injection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional polymer flooding methods for enhanced oil recovery are time-consuming and space-intensive, particularly in offshore operations, and the stability of inverse emulsion and liquid polymer compositions used in EOR applications is compromised by sedimentation and caking, leading to reduced polymer actives and formation plugging.
Innovation Solution
A liquid polymer or inverse emulsion composition comprising hydrophobic liquids, synthetic copolymers, emulsifier surfactants, inverting surfactants, and stabilizing agents like siloxane polyether compounds or poly(alkyl)acrylate compounds, which provide enhanced stability and invert to form a polymer solution with a filter ratio of 1.2 micron filter (FR1.2) of 1.5 or less, ensuring rapid dissolution and improved injectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional dry powder polymers are dissolved on-site, then the polymer solution can be prepared for injection, but the process is time-consuming and requires significant space and expensive equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The polymer is pre-dissolved and concentrated (30-50% active polymer) in a stable liquid composition before transport. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site dissolution of dry powders, allowing direct injection or rapid dilution at the wellsite.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and concentration parameters of the polymer from dry powder (0% concentration) to concentrated liquid composition (30-50% concentration). This parameter change enables faster deployment while maintaining polymer effectiveness for EOR applications.
2Productivity
If inverse emulsion or liquid polymer compositions are used to reduce dissolution time, then preparation speed improves, but the compositions suffer from sedimentation and caking that reduce polymer actives and cause formation plugging
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a composite liquid composition combining polymer, hydrophobic liquid, and surfactant components that work synergistically. The surfactant concentration (0.1-10% w/w based on polymer weight) is specifically optimized to prevent sedimentation and caking while maintaining stability during transport and storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The surfactant acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the polymer and hydrophobic liquid phases. It prevents direct polymer-sediment interaction that causes caking, and maintains uniform dispersion of polymer actives throughout the composition during storage and transport.
3Quantity of substance
If the polymer concentration is increased to reduce the volume required for transport, then the number of shipments decreases, but the composition becomes more prone to sedimentation and stability issues
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes multiple parameters simultaneously: polymer concentration (30-50%), surfactant concentration (0.1-10% based on polymer weight), and hydrophobic liquid selection. This multi-parameter optimization achieves high concentration formulations that remain stable and resist sedimentation during transport and storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The surfactant serves as a protective intermediary that allows high polymer concentrations to be maintained without sacrificing stability. It creates a stable microenvironment around polymer chains, preventing aggregation and sedimentation even at concentrated levels suitable for reduced transport volume.
4Reliability
If stabilizing agents are added to prevent sedimentation, then composition stability improves, but the filter ratio may be adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The invention carefully controls the concentration and type of stabilizing agents to maintain the optimal balance between stability and filterability. The surfactant concentration is specifically optimized to provide sufficient stabilization while maintaining a filter ratio of 1.5 or less through proper molecular weight and chemical structure selection.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizing agents and surfactants are distributed uniformly throughout the composition at optimized local concentrations. This uniform distribution ensures stability throughout the bulk material while maintaining appropriate flow characteristics and filterability at the injection point.
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 composition achieves rapid dissolution in aqueous solutions within minutes, maintains stability during transport and use, and prevents formation plugging, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of enhanced oil recovery processes.
Implementation Method 1
the stability of inverse emulsion and liquid polymer compositions used in EOR applications is compromised by sedimentation and caking
Implementation Method 2
one or more emulsifier surfactants; one or more inverting surfactants
Implementation Method 3
one or more emulsifier surfactants; one or more inverting surfactants
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are methods of using liquid polymer and inverse emulsion compositions comprising one or more hydrophobic liquids having a boiling point at least about 100° C.; one or more acrylamide-(co)polymers; one or more emulsifier surfactants; one or more inverting surfactants; and one or more stabilizing agents (e.g., one or more siloxane polyether compounds, one or more poly(alkyl)acrylate compounds, or any combination thereof). When the composition is inverted in an aqueous solution, it provides an inverted solution having a filter ratio using a 1.2 micron filter (FR1.2) of about 1.5 or less. The inverted solutions can be used in oil and gas operations.