Ionic Liquid Fracturing Fluid for Higher Flowback Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional flowback additives used in hydraulic fracturing suffer from environmental toxicity, inability to handle harsh subsurface conditions, and high operational costs, leading to reduced recovery rates and potential operational issues.

Innovation Solution

The use of ionic liquids, such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, and 1-decyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, as environmentally friendly additives in fracturing fluids to enhance recovery by reducing interfacial tension and improving fluid flowback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional flowback additives are used, then fluid recovery is improved, but environmental toxicity increases and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid recoveryVSAvoidenvironmental toxicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using ionic liquids with specific structures (imidazolium, pyridinium, ammonium cations combined with various anions) instead of conventional surfactants. These ionic liquids achieve effective surface tension reduction while maintaining environmental compatibility and reducing toxicity, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and harmful factor reduction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite ionic liquid formulations combining different cation types (imidazolium, pyridinium, ammonium) with various anions (chloride, bromide, iodide, acetate, formate, propionate, butyrate, valerate, caproate, caprylate, caprate). This composite approach enhances both the environmental compatibility and flowback performance, simultaneously addressing productivity and environmental concerns

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If conventional flowback additives are used, then fluid recovery is improved, but ability to handle harsh subsurface conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid recoveryVSAvoidability to handle harsh subsurface conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the chemical parameters by selecting ionic liquids with specific structural characteristics including varying chain lengths (C2-C12) and different functional groups. These structural parameters are optimized to maintain stability and effectiveness under harsh subsurface conditions of high temperature, high pressure, and high salinity, while improving fluid recovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses ionic liquids that can degrade into harmless components (carbon dioxide, water, and simple salts) after performing their function, replacing persistent conventional additives that accumulate and lose effectiveness in harsh conditions. This approach ensures both improved recovery and reliable performance in extreme environments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Productivity

If conventional flowback additives are used, then fluid recovery is improved, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid recoveryVSAvoidoperational costs

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of ionic liquids in fracturing fluids, achieving effective flowback enhancement at relatively low concentrations. The ionic liquids are used as additives at levels that provide sufficient surface tension reduction and flowback improvement without excessive cost, balancing productivity gains with operational expense considerations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances fracturing fluid recovery by up to 56% while maintaining thermal stability and reducing environmental impact, with improved permeability and operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The additives include surfactants to reduce surface tension... Researchers have evaluated flowback additives in high-salinity brines used for drilling and workover, showing that effective additives maintain surface tension reduction properties, resulting in lower brine imbibition and increased water recovery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurface tension reduction: Surfactant

Implementation Method 2

research has also been done to discuss the use of different surfactants in 'Huff-n-Puff' processes, suggesting that surfactants may gradually solubilize and mobilize oil droplets, leading to improved oil recovery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolubilization: Solvation

Implementation Method 3

The aforementioned issue is particularly challenging in unconventional reservoirs due to capillary forces that trap water within rock pores, hindering hydrocarbon recovery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary forces: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS12503936B1Fracturing fluid recovery with ionic liquid

Publication Date: 2025.12.23 KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS

AI summary

A method of fracturing fluid recovery includes injecting a fracturing fluid into a subterranean reservoir via a wellbore. The fracturing fluid includes a carrier fluid, a proppant and an ionic liquid. The method further includes increasing a pressure within the wellbore to create or extend fractures in the subterranean reservoir, injecting the fracturing fluid into the fractures and recovering the fracturing fluid by allowing the fracturing fluid to flow back while leaving the proppant within the fractures.