Ion-Sequestering Compound for Polymer Viscosity Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of high viscosity fluids in petroleum and water extraction is limited by ions in water, such as sea water or naturally produced formation water, which degrade viscosifying polymers like guar gum, requiring costly fresh water and limiting the use of certain subterranean formations.
Innovation Solution
A composition including guar gum or its derivatives, Fe2+ or Fe3+ ions, and sodium silicate or sodium metasilicate, with an ion-sequestering compound to sequester ions, maintaining viscosity and hydration properties even in the presence of ions, thereby allowing use with ion-containing water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ion-containing water (sea water or formation water) is used in drilling fluids with viscosifying polymers, then cost and resource availability improve, but polymer viscosity and hydration properties deteriorate due to ion degradation
Solution Approach 1:
An ion-sequestering compound is introduced as an intermediary substance that binds to ions in the water, preventing them from interacting with and degrading the viscosifying polymer. This mediator allows the system to use ion-containing water while maintaining polymer stability and viscosity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ion-sequestering compound converts the harmful effect of ions on polymer stability into a beneficial situation by allowing the use of previously unusable water sources (sea water, formation water) while maintaining or even improving overall system performance through reduced freshwater requirements.
2Stability of the object's composition
If fresh water is used to maintain polymer viscosity, then viscosity stability improves, but cost and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the previously harmful ion-containing water into a usable resource by adding ion-sequestering compounds, thereby eliminating the need for costly and energy-intensive freshwater treatment and transport while maintaining polymer viscosity stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The ion-sequestering compound provides self-service by automatically binding to ions in the water, preventing them from degrading the polymer without requiring external intervention for water treatment or purification.
3Stability of the object's composition
If ion-sequestering compounds are added to protect polymer viscosity, then polymer stability improves, but composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the system by introducing ion-sequestering compounds with specific binding properties, transforming the interaction between ions and polymers from degradative to stable, thereby simplifying the overall system behavior despite the added component.
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 method and composition effectively maintain viscosity and hydration properties, reducing gel contraction and the need for ion-free water, making it more versatile and cost-effective for downhole applications.
Implementation Method 1
sequestering the ion from the polymer with the ion-sequestering compound
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of subterranean formations. In various embodiments, the method includes obtaining or providing a composition including at least one-ion sequestering compound, sequestering at least one ion from a polymer in the composition with the at least one ion-sequestering compound, and contacting a subterranean material downhole with the composition.