Invert Emulsion Fluid With Hygroscopic Liquid And Polymer Suspending Agent
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional invert emulsion treatment fluids can adversely affect water-sensitive formations like shale, causing swelling or sloughing, and often contain organophilic clay or lignite, which may not be environmentally friendly or provide optimal performance.
Innovation Solution
An invert emulsion treatment fluid comprising a hygroscopic liquid, a polymeric suspending agent with urea or urea-urethane linkages, and low-density particulates, without organophilic clay or lignite, which enhances gel strength and reduces equivalent circulating density (ECD) while improving drilling performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional invert emulsion treatment fluids are used, then drilling operations can be performed, but water-sensitive formations are adversely affected causing swelling or sloughing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the treatment fluid by replacing traditional aqueous internal phase with non-aqueous hygroscopic liquids (alcohols, glycols) and modifying the external phase composition. This parameter change eliminates water contact with formation while maintaining drilling functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces organophilic clays as intermediary suspending agents that mediate between the non-aqueous internal phase and the hydrocarbon external phase, enabling stable emulsion formation without water. These clays provide the necessary suspending properties while maintaining compatibility with water-sensitive formations.
2Stability of the object's composition
If organophilic clay or lignite is used in the treatment fluid, then suspending properties are achieved, but environmental friendliness and optimal performance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition by replacing traditional organophilic clays and lignite with alternative suspending agents having different chemical properties. This substitution maintains suspending functionality while improving environmental compatibility and removing harmful factors associated with traditional additives.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the treatment fluid is designed to be environmentally friendly and economical, then drilling performance may be optimized, but gel strength and rheological properties must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite treatment fluid system combining multiple components: non-aqueous hygroscopic liquids, organophilic clays, polymers, and low-density solids. This composite formulation achieves both environmental friendliness and adequate gel strength by synergistic interaction of components, each contributing specific properties to the overall system.
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 treatment fluid exhibits improved rheology, stability, and reduced fluid loss, forming a fragile gel that maintains suspending properties, thus minimizing adverse effects on water-sensitive formations and offering environmentally friendly and economical drilling solutions.
Implementation Method 1
The treatment fluid contains a hygroscopic liquid as the internal phase... the hygroscopic liquid is a salt solution... the hygroscopic liquid comprises an alcohol
Implementation Method 2
a suspending agent, wherein the suspending agent is a polymer, and wherein the polymer comprises urea linkages... a particulate, wherein the particulate has a density less than 3.5 g/cm3
Implementation Method 3
the treatment fluid is a fragile gel... has a 10 minute gel strength of at least 30 lb/100 ft2... the treatment fluid exhibits improved rheology, stability
Implementation Method 4
forming a fragile gel that maintains suspending properties... improved rheology
Data Source
AI summary
An invert emulsion treatment fluid comprises: (A) an external phase, wherein the external phase comprises a hydrocarbon liquid; (B) an internal phase, wherein the internal phase comprises a hygroscopic liquid; (C) a suspending agent, wherein the suspending agent is a polymer, and wherein the polymer comprises urea linkages; and (D) a particulate, wherein the particulate has a density less than 3.5 g/cm3, wherein a test fluid consisting essentially of the external phase, the internal phase, the suspending agent, and the particulate, and in the same proportions as the treatment fluid, and after static aging for 2 months at a temperature of 200° F. (93.3° C.), has a 10 minute gel strength of at least 30 lb/100 ft2 (1,436 Pa) at a temperature of 120° F. (48.9° C.). A method of using the invert emulsion treatment fluid comprises: introducing the treatment fluid into a portion of a subterranean formation.