Polymeric Micro-Gel Cement Composition for Anti-Gas Migration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing anti-gas migration additives for cementing in oil and gas wells, such as styrene-butadiene rubber, require high concentrations and are expensive, and their effectiveness is limited by temperature and stability issues, leading to gas migration and safety risks during cement setting.

Innovation Solution

A cementitious composition incorporating a polymeric micro-gel, structured by inverse emulsion polymerization, which provides superior anti-gas migration properties and reduces the dosage required, maintaining effectiveness across various temperatures without additional stabilizing agents.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If styrene-butadiene rubber is used as an anti-gas migration additive, then gas migration prevention is improved, but the concentration required is high and cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas migration preventionVSAvoidadditive concentration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical and physical parameters of the additive by using polymeric micro-gels with specific molecular weight ranges (10^5 to 10^7 g/mol) and controlled cross-linking degrees, achieving superior gas migration prevention at lower concentrations compared to conventional styrene-butadiene rubber

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite system by combining polymeric micro-gels with cementitious materials, where the micro-gels form a three-dimensional network structure that synergistically enhances gas migration prevention efficiency while reducing the overall additive requirement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If styrene-butadiene rubber is used to prevent gas migration, then effectiveness is improved, but temperature stability and chemical stability are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas migration preventionVSAvoidtemperature and chemical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the polymeric micro-gel structure by controlling molecular weight, cross-linking density, and functional group composition, enabling the material to maintain its gas migration prevention effectiveness across a wide temperature range and in chemically aggressive environments where conventional additives fail

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The micro-gels exhibit local quality enhancement by forming dense three-dimensional network structures at critical interfaces and within the cement matrix, providing targeted stability improvement in regions most susceptible to temperature and chemical degradation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If styrene-butadiene rubber is used as an anti-gas migration agent, then gas leak-tightness is improved, but additional stabilizing agents are required preventing coagulation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegas leak-tightnessVSAvoidadditive system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The polymeric micro-gels are designed with inherent stability characteristics, including controlled cross-linking and appropriate molecular weight, enabling them to resist coagulation and maintain dispersion stability in cement slurry without requiring additional stabilizing agents or complex additive systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 polymeric micro-gel composition effectively prevents gas migration, ensuring safety and reducing the amount of additives needed, thereby minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and operational costs.

Implementation Method 1

the introduction into the cement slurry of a polymeric micro-gel as an anti-gas migration agent

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier formation:

Implementation Method 2

these products, although effective, require high concentrations and are relatively expensive. In addition, some require the use of stabilizing agents in order to prevent the coagulation thereof in the cement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectColloidal stability: Colloid

Data Source

PatentUS12516235B2Cementitious composition comprising a polymeric micro-gel as an anti-gas migration agent
Publication Date: 2026.01.06 S P C M SA

AI summary

The present invention concerns the technical field of cementing, in particular in the construction of oil and/or gas wells or geothermal energy. More specifically, the subject of the present invention is a cementitious composition and an improved method of cementing by means of the introduction into the cement of a polymeric micro-gel as an anti-gas migration agent.