Microemulsion Composition for Produced Water Injectivity Restoration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The injection of produced water into reservoirs for secondary recovery is hindered by the presence of oil, solids, and chemicals, leading to reduced injectivity and operational challenges, while conventional acidic treatments are costly and corrosive, limiting their application.
Innovation Solution
A microemulsion composition, comprising surfactants, co-surfactants, and an organic phase, is used to solubilize oil, disperse solids, and restore wettability, reducing interfacial tension and capillary pressure to enhance injectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If produced water is injected into reservoirs for secondary recovery, then water disposal alternative is provided and environmental impact is reduced, but injectivity is significantly reduced due to oil, solids and chemicals present in produced water
Solution Approach 1:
A microemulsion composition acts as an intermediary substance between the produced water and the reservoir rock. The microemulsion contains surfactants that solubilize oil and disperse solids, effectively mediating the interaction between produced water and reservoir formations to prevent injectivity loss while enabling produced water injection as a disposal alternative.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of produced water by adding microemulsion composition, which alters the interfacial tension, wettability, and solubilization characteristics of the injected fluid. This parameter modification enables the produced water to maintain acceptable injectivity despite containing oil and solids.
2Productivity
If acidic treatment is applied to restore injectivity, then injectivity loss is mitigated, but corrosion damage to metallic lines and platform structures increases
Solution Approach 1:
The microemulsion composition serves as a non-corrosive, disposable treatment alternative to acidic stimulants. Instead of using harsh acids that cause corrosion, the microemulsion provides the necessary cleaning and injectivity restoration effects without long-term harmful impacts on metallic infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of oil and solids accumulation into a beneficial process by using the microemulsion to solubilize and mobilize these contaminants, transforming them from injectivity-blocking substances into soluble components that can be safely injected into the reservoir without causing corrosion.
3Productivity
If high volume acidic treatment is performed from stimulation boats, then injectivity is restored, but operational complexity and cost increase due to boat availability and treatment frequency requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The microemulsion composition enables a self-service treatment approach where the platform can treat its own injection wells without requiring external stimulation boats. The treatment can be performed in-situ using the platform's existing infrastructure, eliminating the need for complex external operations and boat logistics.
Solution Approach 2:
The microemulsion treatment can be applied preventively or at early stages of injectivity loss, before severe damage occurs. This preliminary action reduces the frequency and intensity of required treatments compared to reactive high-volume acid jobs, simplifying operations and reducing dependency on external resources.
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 microemulsion effectively increases injectivity by reducing water-oil interfacial tension, solubilizing oil, and restoring permeability, offering a cost-effective and less corrosive alternative to acidic treatments.
Implementation Method 1
the injectivity is improved as a result of the reduction of the interfacial tension and the alteration of the wettability of the porous medium
Implementation Method 2
the microemulsion effectively increases injectivity by reducing water-oil interfacial tension, solubilizing oil
Implementation Method 3
A microemulsion composition, comprising surfactants, co-surfactants, and an organic phase, is used to solubilize oil, disperse solids
Implementation Method 4
the injectivity is improved as a result of the reduction of the interfacial tension and the alteration of the wettability of the porous medium
Implementation Method 5
reducing interfacial tension and capillary pressure to enhance injectivity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention addresses to an oil-in-water microemulsion composition to increase the injectivity of produced water in reservoirs of oil production fields, contemplates a solution that has the potential to reduce the water-oil interfacial tension, to increase the mobility of produced water in the reservoir and to restore the wettability of the reservoir rock.