Microemulsion Flowback Aid Composition for Oil Well Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flowback aids for oil and gas wells often require solvents and fail to effectively enhance relative permeability and fluid recovery due to phase trapping, leading to reduced well productivity.
Innovation Solution
A novel microemulsion flowback aid composition comprising an oil-like phase with nonionic surfactants having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of less than 9, a coupling agent, a water-soluble or dispersible nonionic surfactant, and additional surfactants, which forms a thermodynamically stable single-phase microemulsion in situ within the subterranean reservoir, reducing surface tension and enhancing fluid recovery without the need for solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional flowback aids containing solvents and surfactants are used, then some fluid recovery is achieved, but phase trapping occurs that reduces relative permeability and well productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by using solvent-free microemulsion formulations with specific surfactant combinations (HLB values 3-16) and precise weight ratios (5:95 to 45:55 surfactant to co-surfactant). These parameter changes enable the formation of stable microemulsions that reduce interfacial tension without causing phase trapping, thereby improving both fluid recovery and maintaining relative permeability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite microemulsion systems combining multiple surfactants (ionic and nonionic) with co-surfactants in specific ratios. This composite approach produces a synergistic effect where the combination of surfactants with different HLB values provides both the stability needed for fluid recovery and the permeability maintenance needed to prevent well damage
2Quantity of substance
If traditional flowback aid formulations with oils and solvents are used, then surfactant action is achieved, but unwanted deposits and emulsion formation occur in the well
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates solvents and conventional oils from the flowback aid formulation, replacing them with water-based microemulsion systems. This removal of harmful components prevents deposit formation and unwanted emulsions while retaining the essential surfactant functionality needed for fluid recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the formulation parameters by using specific surfactant concentration ranges (0.1-10% by weight) and co-surfactant ratios (45:55 to 55:45 surfactant to co-surfactant) that promote stable microemulsion formation without creating harmful deposits. The use of surfactants with specific HLB values (3-16) ensures optimal performance without side effects
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 solution effectively enhances fluid recovery and relative permeability, reduces well damage, and improves oil and gas production by forming stable microemulsions that solubilize nonpolar materials and prevent emulsion formation, thereby increasing flowback efficiency and reducing unwanted deposits.
Implementation Method 1
reducing surface or interfacial tension and/or increasing contact angle, and thereby allowing enhanced fluid recovery
Implementation Method 2
reducing surface or interfacial tension and/or increasing contact angle
Implementation Method 3
forming a thermodynamically stable single-phase microemulsion in situ within the subterranean reservoir
Implementation Method 4
solubilize nonpolar materials and prevent emulsion formation
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed and claimed is a microemulsion flowback aid composition and a method of enhancing recovery of oil or gas during fracturing or stimulation processes. The microemulsion flowback aid composition includes (i) an oil-like phase comprising at least one nonionic surfactant having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of less than about 9; (ii) a coupling agent capable of stabilizing the microemulsion flowback aid composition; (iii) at least one water-soluble or dispersible nonionic surfactant that is different from the at least one nonionic surfactant in the oil-like phase; (iv) at least one additional surfactant selected from anionic, cationic, amphoteric, and combinations thereof; and (v) water.