Micro-nano Composite Plugging Agent for Drilling Fluid
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional plugging agents struggle to effectively address lost circulation in shale formations due to their large particle size and shape mismatch with micro-nano fractures, leading to unsatisfactory plugging and potential agglomeration issues with nano-materials.
Innovation Solution
A micro-nano composite plugging agent comprising nanometer calcium carbonate, nanometer zinc oxide whiskers, nanometer emulsified paraffin, a flocculating agent, and a lubricant, which are mixed in specific proportions to form a dense plugging layer that keeps fractures open and builds spatial structures, preventing fluid invasion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional plugging agents (calcium carbonate, asphalt, resin) are used, then they are easy to manufacture and apply, but their large particle size prevents them from entering micro-nano fractures, resulting in poor plugging effect
Solution Approach 1:
The plugging agent is segmented into multiple particle size ranges (nano-level 0.1-10μm, micro-level 10-100μm, and macro-level 100-1000μm particles). Each size range serves a specific function: nano-particles enter micro-nano fractures, micro-particles provide structural support, and macro-particles maintain fracture openness. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by achieving precise particle size control through a systematic multi-size distribution approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials comprising multiple plugging agent components (calcium carbonate, asphalt, resin, film former) in specific proportions. This composite approach allows combining materials with different particle size characteristics and plugging mechanisms, achieving both manufacturability and effective micro-nano fracture plugging through synergistic interactions among components.
2Manufacturing precision
If nano-plugging materials are used, then they can effectively enter micro-nano fractures for plugging, but they easily agglomerate due to small particle size and high surface activity, increasing particle size and reducing plugging effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
A dispersant is introduced as an intermediary substance to prevent agglomeration of nano-particles. The dispersant adsorbs onto the high-surface-area nano-particles, providing steric or electrostatic repulsion that maintains particle separation and stability in the drilling fluid. This mediator resolves the contradiction by enabling nano-particle dispersity while maintaining their small size for effective fracture penetration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes physical-chemical parameters of the plugging agent system, including particle size distribution, surface charge characteristics, and compositional ratios. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves stable nano-particle suspension that resists agglomeration while maintaining the small particle size necessary for entering micro-nano fractures.
3Ease of operation
If plugging agents with large particle size are used, then they can keep fractures open, but they cannot enter micro-nano fractures effectively, resulting in unsatisfactory plugging effect
Solution Approach 1:
The plugging agent is segmented into multiple particle size ranges (nano-level 0.1-10μm, micro-level 10-100μm, and macro-level 100-1000μm particles). Each size range serves a specific function: nano-particles enter micro-nano fractures, micro-particles provide structural support, and macro-particles maintain fracture openness. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by achieving precise particle size control through a systematic multi-size distribution approach.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional plugging agents are used, then they are readily available and easy to apply, but they result in lost circulation due to inability to plug micro-nano fractures in shale formations
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite materials comprising multiple plugging agent components (calcium carbonate, asphalt, resin, film former) in specific proportions. This composite approach allows combining materials with different particle size characteristics and plugging mechanisms, achieving both manufacturability and effective micro-nano fracture plugging through synergistic interactions among components.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes physical-chemical parameters of the plugging agent system, including particle size distribution, surface charge characteristics, and compositional ratios. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves stable nano-particle suspension that resists agglomeration while maintaining the small particle size necessary for entering micro-nano fractures.
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 composite plugging agent effectively isolates the well bore from the formation, extending the usable density range of drilling fluids and achieving a good plugging effect, even in formations with narrow safe density windows, by forming a low-permeability isolating layer.
Implementation Method 1
solid particles in larger particle sizes in the composite plugging agent keep fractures in an open state, while solid particles in smaller particle sizes and deformable particles build up spatial structures at the fractures
Implementation Method 2
the composite plugging agent provided in the present invention uses nanometer calcium carbonate, nanometer zinc oxide whiskers, nanometer emulsified paraffin, a flocculating agent, and a lubricant in combination
Implementation Method 3
Owing to the advantages of small particle size, high dispersity and good stability, nano-materials can effectively enter into micro-nano-scale fractures and pores for effective plugging
Implementation Method 4
an isolating layer with very low permeability is formed, and effectively isolates the well bore from the formation and prevent the drilling fluid from leaking into the formation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a micro-nano composite plugging agent for drilling fluid, a preparation method of the micro-nano composite plugging agent for drilling fluid, a drilling fluid, and an application thereof. The composite plugging agent contains nanometer calcium carbonate, nanometer zinc oxide whiskers, nanometer emulsified paraffin, a flocculating agent, and a lubricant, wherein in the composite plugging agent, the nanometer calcium carbonate is in 10-36 parts by weight, the nanometer zinc oxide whiskers are in 20-40 parts by weight, the nanometer emulsified paraffin is in 30-70 parts by weight, the flocculating agent is in 1-10 parts by weight, and the lubricant is 5-20 parts by weight.