Substituted Lactam Activator Gel Breaking System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gel breakers in oil and gas operations are ineffective at low temperatures, making it difficult to degrade cross-linked gels and synthetic polymers, which can lead to incomplete removal and reduced permeability of subterranean formations.
Innovation Solution
A gel breaking system utilizing a substituted lactam activator in conjunction with hydrogen peroxide, which reacts to produce an active oxidizer that degrades gels and hydrolyzes to environmentally acceptable amino acid byproducts, effective at temperatures below 80 degrees Celsius.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gel breakers are used, then gel breaking is effective at high temperatures, but the system becomes ineffective at low temperatures below 80 degrees Celsius
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the gel breaker system by substituting traditional high-temperature activators with a lactam-based activator that operates effectively at low temperatures. This parameter change allows the system to maintain gel breaking effectiveness below 80°C while using environmentally acceptable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal-mechanical activation mechanism with a chemical substitution mechanism. Instead of relying on high temperature to activate the gel breaker, the system uses a lactam activator that chemically activates the breaking process at low temperatures through a different mechanism.
2Productivity
If traditional gel breakers are used, then gel degradation occurs, but harmful environmental side products are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful breakdown process into a beneficial one by designing the gel breaker to produce environmentally acceptable amino acid byproducts instead of harmful substances. The lactam activator system degrades gels while generating benign end products that are safe for the environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of both the gel breaker and its byproducts. By selecting specific lactam structures and gel breaker formulations, the system maintains effective gel degradation while ensuring all side products are environmentally acceptable amino acids rather than harmful chemicals.
3Strength
If cross-linked gels are used in fracturing operations, then fluid viscosity is maintained, but formation permeability is reduced due to incomplete gel removal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes cross-linked gel structures from the formation through a targeted breaking process. The lactam activator system specifically targets and breaks down the cross-links in the gel, allowing complete removal of gel residues that would otherwise block formation permeability while maintaining fluid viscosity during the fracturing operation.
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 system efficiently breaks cross-linked gels and synthetic polymers at low temperatures, improving fluid recovery and reducing environmental impact by producing environmentally acceptable side products, and can be used in various fracturing procedures.
Implementation Method 1
A gel breaking system is provided which includes at least one source of hydrogen peroxide; and at least one substituted lactam activator which, when combined with the at least one source of hydrogen peroxide, reacts to produce an active oxidizer which degrades gels
Implementation Method 2
the at least one substituted lactam activator and the at least one source of hydrogen peroxide react to produce an active oxidizer which degrades gels
Implementation Method 3
hydrolyzes to environmentally acceptable amino acid byproducts
Data Source
AI summary
Substituted lactam activators; gel breaking systems including at least one source of hydrogen peroxide and the at least one substituted lactam activator; and methods for introducing the gel breaking system into a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation so that the gel breaking system interacts with a synthetic polymer to break the synthetic polymer at low temperatures to release environmentally acceptable side products.