LPG-Alcohol Water Transfer System for Reservoir Permeability Restoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Secondary recovery methods in hydrocarbon reservoirs lead to water contamination, making production economically unfeasible and resulting in well shutdowns due to fluid damage.
Innovation Solution
A water transfer system comprising liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and an alcohol that is at least partially water and LPG soluble is injected into the hydrocarbon reservoir to remove water damage and restore permeability, using a combination of LPG and a solvent system that includes alcohols, esters, ethers, and demulsifiers to separate and remove water.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If secondary recovery methods are used to maintain reservoir pressure and displace hydrocarbons, then production is improved, but water contamination increases making production economically unfeasible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes water from the hydrocarbon reservoir using a water transfer system. The system introduces a solvent composition that selectively interacts with water to form a separate phase, allowing water to be extracted and removed from the reservoir, thereby eliminating water contamination while preserving hydrocarbon production capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a solvent composition as an intermediary substance to transfer water from the reservoir. The solvent acts as a mediator that interacts with water through solubility relationships, forming a water-solvent phase that can be separated and removed, thus indirectly removing water without directly applying mechanical or thermal methods
2Productivity
If water-based treatments are injected into the reservoir, then production is enhanced, but formation damage occurs leading to well shutdowns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of water saturation into a beneficial process by using the water-solvent interaction to remove water damage. The solvent composition exploits the presence of water in the formation to create a separable phase, transforming the problematic water saturation into a mechanism for water removal and formation repair
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the reservoir fluids by introducing a solvent composition with specific solubility characteristics. The solvent alters the phase behavior and solubility relationships in the reservoir, enabling water to be selectively transferred into the solvent phase and removed, thereby restoring formation permeability and reliability
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 effectively remedies water blockage and irreducible water saturation, improving hydrocarbon reservoir production by reducing water contamination and restoring lost permeability, allowing for the cleanup of water-fractured wells.
Implementation Method 1
an alcohol that is at least partially water and liquefied petroleum gas soluble
Implementation Method 2
a combination of LPG and a solvent system that is at least partially liquefied petroleum gas and water soluble
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating a hydrocarbon reservoir that is penetrated by a well is disclosed, the method comprising injecting into the well a water transfer system comprising liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and an alcohol that is at least partially water and liquefied petroleum gas soluble. Further, a method of treating a hydrocarbon reservoir is disclosed, the method comprising introducing into the hydrocarbon reservoir a combination of LPG and a solvent system that is at least partially liquefied petroleum gas and water soluble.