Lyophilized Urease for Sand Stabilization and Water Tightening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for consolidating oil reservoirs and reducing water production in oil field wells face challenges with the instability and high cost of urease, making it difficult to produce and store in sufficient quantities for effective sand stabilization and water tightening.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the direct lyophilization of a water-based urease solution to produce stable, solid urease, which can be sourced from plants or biotechnologically produced bacteria, allowing for large-scale, cost-effective production and storage, and subsequent use in underground constructions to precipitate calcium carbonate for sand stabilization and water tightening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If freeze dried or lyophilized urease is used for consolidation, then the urease can be stored and transported, but it becomes very expensive and does not function for consolidation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive, readily available urease from plant sources (jack beans, soybeans) or bacterial sources instead of expensive commercial freeze-dried urease. The urease is applied directly in aqueous solution form without requiring stabilization additives, accepting that it will be consumed in the consolidation process. This replaces expensive, stable but non-functional urease with cheap, unstable but effective urease that performs the desired consolidation function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of urease delivery by using aqueous solutions of plant or bacterial urease instead of freeze-dried commercial urease. The urease is applied in its native aqueous state from plant extracts or bacterial cultures, eliminating the need for freeze-drying and stabilizer additives. This parameter change restores both functionality and cost-effectiveness.
2Stability of the object's composition
If commercial freeze dried urease is used, then it is stable for storage, but it is very expensive (about NOK 260,000 for 1 kg)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive commercial urease with inexpensive plant-derived or bacterial urease that can be produced in large quantities. The urease is used in its native aqueous form from plant extracts or bacterial cultures, accepting consumption during the consolidation process. This enables acquisition of urease in the thousands of kilograms needed for large-scale consolidation at a fraction of the commercial cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses self-service approaches by utilizing urease naturally present in plant materials (jack beans, soybeans) or produced by common bacteria. These sources provide urease without requiring expensive commercial production, purification, and stabilization processes. The urease is extracted and applied directly from these natural or microbial sources, enabling large-scale production at minimal cost.
3Quantity of substance
If urease is produced in large quantities at reasonable price, then it can be used for sand stabilization, but the urease must be stable for extended storage and transport
Solution Approach 1:
The patent accepts that urease will be consumed during the consolidation process and does not require long-term stability after application. The urease is applied in aqueous solution form from plant or bacterial sources and is used up as it performs the consolidation function. This disposable approach eliminates the need for expensive stabilization and enables large-scale production.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares urease solutions in advance from plant extracts or bacterial cultures, storing them in their native aqueous state without stabilizers. The urease is produced and prepared beforehand in large quantities at reasonable cost, then applied directly to the consolidation site. This preliminary preparation enables large-scale deployment without requiring the urease to remain stable during long-term storage.
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 method provides a stable and cost-effective means to achieve sand stabilization and water tightening, enabling efficient and environmentally friendly treatment of oil field reservoirs and underground constructions by ensuring the urease remains active for extended periods and can be easily transported and used in large quantities.
Implementation Method 1
urease may be used to decompose urea to consolidate sand when precipitating CaCO3
Implementation Method 2
precipitating CaCO3 from an aqueous solution containing calcium chloride and urea
Implementation Method 3
The novel and inventive by the method for reaching the objects is to provide the urease in a solid form by directly lyophilize a water based urease solution
Data Source
AI summary
Method for water tightening of water bearing zones and stabilization of sand in underground constructions, by precipitation of at least one mineral, by introducing into the construction, at the least one aqueous solution of salts comprising Ca2+ ions and urea, and an urease. The urease may be plant based, and made by grounding the plant wherefrom the urease is based, adding water, and soaking at occasional stirring between 2 and 20 h at room temperature. Then the achieved solution is filtrated, and the filtrate is lyophilized. The urease may also be biotechnologically produced by bacteria in an aqueous solution, where after the achieved solution is filtrated, and the filtrate is lyophilized.