Microemulsion Treatment for Polymer Obstruction Adhesion in High Permeability Zones
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Solution Overview
Problem
In oil and gas well treatment, drive fluids preferentially flow through high permeability regions, leading to premature breakthrough and reduced recovery of hydrocarbons from lower permeability regions, as conventional methods fail to adequately obstruct high permeability zones due to poor adherence of obstruction materials.
Innovation Solution
Treating the well with a microemulsion before injecting an obstruction material, such as a polymer, to reduce residual hydrocarbons in high permeability regions, enhancing the adhesion and barrier properties of the obstruction material, thereby redirecting fluid flow through lower permeability areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If drive fluid is injected to displace hydrocarbons, then hydrocarbon recovery is improved, but drive fluid preferentially flows through high permeability regions causing premature breakthrough and reduced recovery from lower permeability regions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by injecting obstruction materials specifically into high permeability regions to create localized barriers. This selectively modifies the flow properties of specific zones (high permeability areas) while leaving other zones (lower permeability areas) relatively unchanged, thereby redistributing fluid flow locally to improve overall hydrocarbon recovery from previously bypassed regions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by first injecting obstruction materials into high permeability regions before the main drive fluid injection. This preparatory step creates flow barriers in advance, forcing subsequent drive fluid to redirect into lower permeability regions that would otherwise be bypassed, thereby improving hydrocarbon recovery from these previously under-exploited zones
2Reliability
If obstruction material is injected to block high permeability regions, then fluid flow is redirected to lower permeability areas, but obstruction material exhibits poor adherence in high permeability zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining obstruction materials with polymers or other adhesive substances. This creates a composite composition that maintains the flow-blocking capability of the obstruction material while adding the adhesive properties of the polymer, thereby improving adherence to formation surfaces in high permeability regions and preventing premature breakthrough
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the chemical or physical properties of the obstruction material through treatment with polymers or chemicals. This alters parameters such as viscosity, adhesion strength, or reactivity of the obstruction material, enabling it to adhere better to formation surfaces in high permeability zones while maintaining its flow-blocking function
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
This approach increases oil and gas recovery by effectively blocking high permeability regions, allowing drive fluids to flow through previously under-exploited areas, thereby enhancing overall production and reducing residual hydrocarbon volumes.
Implementation Method 1
the viscosity of the fluid present in the well is reduced following treatment with the first fluid
Implementation Method 2
enhancing the adhesion and barrier properties of the obstruction material, thereby redirecting fluid flow
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for the treatment of oil and/or gas wells are generally provided. In some embodiments, a reservoir comprising oil and/or gas may contain regions that differ in permeability to the drive fluid used to displace the oil and/or gas. The higher permeability region(s) may limit oil and/or gas recovery from lower permeability regions. A method of enhancing oil and/or gas recovery in such a reservoir may comprise injecting a fluid comprising a microemulsion into the reservoir prior to obstructing one or more region (e.g., higher permeability regions) of the reservoir. The use of a microemulsion prior to obstructing one or more region of the reservoir may enhance the barrier properties of the resulting obstruction. In some embodiments, injecting a fluid comprising a microemulsion into the reservoir may also increase the overall production of the oil and/or gas well lacking the microemulsion treatment.