Hydrolyzed Keratin Foaming Agent for Underbalanced Drilling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drilling methods face challenges in maintaining stable foaming agents in high-salinity environments and extreme temperatures, leading to foam breakdown and reduced lifting capacity, particularly in underbalanced drilling and gas lift operations, where conventional foaming agents are ineffective or environmentally unfriendly.
Innovation Solution
A biodegradable foaming composition based on hydrolyzed keratin is introduced into the drilling fluid, combined with an effective amount of gas, to reduce hydrostatic pressure and stabilize the foam, allowing for controlled pressure drilling and enhanced production in oil and gas wells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional foaming agents are used in high-salinity environments and extreme temperatures, then drilling operations can proceed, but the foaming agents become unstable and break down, reducing lifting capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the foaming agent by using hydrolyzed keratin with specific molecular weight (10,000-500,000 Daltons) and amino acid composition (at least 10% cysteine, 5% methionine, 5% lysine). These parameter changes enable the foam to remain stable in high-salinity environments and extreme temperatures where conventional foaming agents fail.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydrolyzed keratin, a natural protein-based material, as a composite foaming agent that combines multiple amino acids with specific properties. This composite structure provides both foam stability and resistance to harsh drilling conditions, unlike single-component conventional foaming agents.
2Productivity
If compressed gas is used for drilling, then penetration rate increases and bit life extends, but drilled solids agglomerate and become too heavy to be lifted out
Solution Approach 1:
The hydrolyzed keratin acts as an intermediary substance that prevents direct contact and adhesion between drilled solids and the drill string. The foam structure created by the keratin serves as a carrier that distributes and transports cuttings without allowing them to agglomerate, enabling efficient removal even at high penetration rates.
3Temperature
If water is used in drilling operations, then cooling and lubrication are provided, but water invasion from water-bearing strata occurs and electrolyte concentration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a biodegradable hydrolyzed keratin foaming agent that can be introduced in controlled amounts. The foam provides temporary cooling and lubrication during drilling, then naturally degrades, avoiding the accumulation problem of conventional water-based muds and their associated electrolyte concentration issues.
4Force
If drilling mud is used, then lifting capacity is provided, but pressure limitations prevent underbalanced drilling operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a gas-foam system where compressed gas is mixed with hydrolyzed keratin to create a stable foam that can be circulated at lower pressures than conventional mud systems. The foam provides sufficient lifting capacity through its gas content and rheological properties, enabling underbalanced drilling where formation pressure exceeds mud pressure.
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 hydrolyzed keratin composition forms stable, long-lived foams that lower hydrostatic pressure to or below formation levels, effectively lifting cuttings and increasing production by maintaining foam stability in challenging conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a biodegradable foaming composition based on hydrolyzed keratin is introduced into the drilling fluid, combined with an effective amount of gas, to reduce hydrostatic pressure
Implementation Method 2
the amounts are sufficient to reduce an hydrostatic pressure of the drilling fluid to a pressure at or below an hydrostatic pressure of a formation
Implementation Method 3
these agglomerated masses become too heavy to be lifted out by the gas so that antiballing agents, and foaming agents must be introduced into the bore to prevent this condition
Implementation Method 4
a method for gas lift production including the step of injecting a gas and a foaming agent into the production fluids to decrease a column hydrostatic pressure and increase fluids production
Data Source
AI summary
A method of drilling or gas-lifting is disclosed where the methods including the use of a foaming agent and a gas, where the foaming agent is a keratin and the hydrostatic pressure of the fluid in the well is for a portion of the drilling or gas-lift operation less than an hydrostatic pressure of the formation being drilled or under production.