Invert Emulsion Vegetable Oil Viscosity Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing carrier fluids for subterranean wellbores face challenges in maintaining viscosity and stability, particularly in suspending proppants and gravel, which affects the efficacy of fracturing and gravel packing operations.
Innovation Solution
An invert emulsion composition is developed, comprising a mixture of vegetable oil and mineral oil as the oleaginous phase, with a non-oleaginous phase and an emulsifier, which provides improved viscosity and stability, allowing for effective suspension of particles like proppants and gravel, and includes breakers to ensure composition breakdown downhole.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional carrier fluids are used for suspending proppants and gravel, then the operations can be performed, but the viscosity and stability are insufficient, affecting efficacy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite carrier fluid system consisting of an oleaginous phase (mineral oil and/or vegetable oil) and a non-oleaginous phase (water-based fluid), forming an invert emulsion. This composite structure combines the benefits of both oil and water phases, achieving superior viscosity and stability compared to conventional single-phase carrier fluids, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and operational efficacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters of the carrier fluid by incorporating specific emulsifiers and adjusting the ratio of oleaginous to non-oleaginous phases. These parameter changes transform the fluid's physical properties, particularly viscosity and stability, enabling effective suspension of proppants and gravel while maintaining operational productivity.
2Reliability
If invert emulsion is used to improve suspension properties, then viscosity and stability are enhanced, but the composition may not break down naturally downhole
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates breakers into the invert emulsion composition that enable the fluid to self-destruct or break down under specific downhole conditions (such as contact with hydrocarbons or temperature changes). This self-service mechanism allows the emulsion to maintain its suspension properties during transport and injection, then automatically break down after completing its function, eliminating the need for external intervention and ensuring easy breakdown capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transition mechanisms where the invert emulsion structure changes in response to downhole conditions. The emulsion can transition from a stable suspended state during injection to a broken state upon encountering hydrocarbons or temperature variations, enabling natural breakdown while maintaining suspension properties during the operational phase.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If vegetable oil is used in the oleaginous phase, then environmental compatibility improves, but viscosity stability may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges vegetable oil with mineral oil in the oleaginous phase, combining the environmental benefits of vegetable oil with the viscosity stability of mineral oil. This merging creates a synergistic effect where the composite oleaginous phase maintains both environmental compatibility and consistent viscosity performance, resolving the contradiction between these two properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite oleaginous phase using multiple oil types (vegetable oil and mineral oil) that work together to provide both environmental friendliness and viscosity stability. The composite material approach allows the system to leverage the advantages of each component while mitigating their individual limitations.
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 exhibits enhanced viscosity and stability, improving the suspension properties of particles, and can break naturally upon encountering hydrocarbons or dilution, ensuring effective delivery and release of proppants and gravel during well operations.
Implementation Method 1
an invert emulsion composition including a base fluid having an oleaginous phase and a non-oleaginous phase; and an emulsifier
Implementation Method 2
an emulsifier
Implementation Method 3
provides improved viscosity and stability, allowing for effective suspension of particles like proppants and gravel
Implementation Method 4
can break naturally upon encountering hydrocarbons or dilution
Data Source
AI summary
An invert emulsion composition which includes a base fluid having an oleaginous phase and a non-oleaginous phase, an emulsifier, and wherein the oleaginous phase includes a mixture of vegetable oil and an oil other than vegetable oil. The composition may also include particles such as proppants or gravel, which may be coated prior to introduction to the composition to assist in stabilization the emulsion. The invert emulsion composition can be employed in fracturing, gravel packing, and diversion operations, and the like.