Ionic Terpolymer Gels for Water Blocking in High Salinity Wells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current polymer gels used for controlling water in oil production wells are ineffective under extreme salinity and temperature conditions, often degrading quickly and losing performance.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel hydrogels based on water-soluble terpolymers, specifically ionic terpolymers derived from acrylamide, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and 1-vinyl-3-butylimidazolium bromide, crosslinked with organic agents, which are stable for over two months at 160°C and 250,000 ppm salinity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional polymer gels are used for water control in oil wells, then water production can be reduced, but the gels degrade quickly under extreme salinity and temperature conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the polymer by using ionic terpolymers with specific monomer ratios (acrylamide, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and 1-vinyl-3-butylimidazolium bromide) and controlling their molecular weight and degree of hydrolysis, enabling the gel to withstand extreme salinity and temperature conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite gel system by combining multiple polymer components (acrylamide, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and ionic liquid monomer) and crosslinking them with organic agents to form a synergistic network that provides both stability and effectiveness under extreme conditions
2Reliability
If polymer gels are used to control water in porous media, then permeability is reduced, but the gels show thermal instability and salt tolerance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the polymer structure by incorporating ionic liquid monomers and controlling the degree of hydrolysis to create a gel that maintains its properties at temperatures up to 160°C and salinities up to 250,000 ppm
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses organic crosslinking agents as intermediaries to bridge the polymer chains, creating a crosslinked network that provides both thermal stability and salt tolerance simultaneously
3Productivity
If hydrolyzed polyacrylamide is used for water control, then effectiveness is improved in low salt water, but degradation occurs rapidly as salt amount increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite polymer system combining acrylamide, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and ionic liquid monomers that work synergistically to provide both high effectiveness in water control and resistance to degradation under high salinity conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by incorporating ionic liquid monomers that provide inherent salt tolerance and controlling the hydrolysis degree to maintain polymer effectiveness across a wide range of salinity conditions
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 new gelation polymeric formulations effectively control water in porous media by modifying permeability, maintaining stability and performance under extreme conditions, thereby enhancing oil recovery.
Implementation Method 1
crosslinked with organic agents
Implementation Method 2
effectively control water in porous media by modifying permeability
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates with the development of a process for producing gels from polymeric materials crosslinked with organic agents and their use controlling water in porous media under high salinity and temperature conditions. The characteristics of these gels enable them to have a good performance withstanding extreme conditions in mature Mexican oil wells and in others located in other parts of the world. The gels featured in the present disclosure include novel ionic terpolymers based on acrylamide (AM), N-vinylpyrrolidone (VP), N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide (BAA), 1-vinyl-3-butylimidazolium bromide (VIM4C[Br]) and organic crosslinking agents.