Microwave-Triggered Exothermic Reaction for Reservoir Cleanup
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional hydraulic fracturing methods leave behind residual gelled or polymeric materials in hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs, reducing fracture conductivity and requiring extensive and costly multi-stage fracturing in unconventional gas wells, which is inefficient and damaging.
Innovation Solution
The use of microwaves to trigger an exothermic reaction in situ, employing an ammonium and nitrite containing compound mixture, which generates heat and gas to increase pressure and reduce viscosity, thereby creating fractures and cleaning up residual viscous materials without premature reactions or acid-induced inefficiencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional hydraulic fracturing methods are used to create fractures in hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs, then fractures are created to enhance productivity, but residual gelled or polymeric materials are left behind in the fractures which block the fractures and reduce fracture conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the gelled material by introducing a chemical reaction system that transforms the gel structure into mobile phases (gas and liquid), fundamentally altering the material state from viscous-blocking to flowable-cleaning
Solution Approach 2:
The gelled material undergoes phase transition from a viscous gel state to gas and liquid phases through the chemical reaction, enabling the material to change from a fracture-blocking state to a fracture-cleaning state that can be easily removed
2Productivity
If multi-stage hydraulic fracturing is used in unconventional gas wells to increase stimulated reservoir volume, then the stimulated reservoir volume increases, but the cost increases significantly and large amounts of damaging gels are pumped downhole
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the fundamental parameters of the fracturing system by using in-situ generated gas pressure instead of large volumes of pumped fracturing fluid, transforming the fracturing mechanism from hydraulic-pressure-based to chemical-reaction-pressure-based
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses self-generated gas from the chemical reaction within the reservoir to create the fracturing pressure, eliminating the need for external high-pressure pumping systems and large volumes of fracturing fluid
3Loss of substance
If traditional breakers are used to break down gelled materials in fractures, then some fluid breakdown occurs, but the ability to completely cleanup the fractures is lost and residual viscous material remains
Solution Approach 1:
The gelled material undergoes complete phase transition from gel to gas and liquid through chemical reaction, enabling total removal rather than partial breakdown, thus completely restoring fracture conductivity without residual viscous material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful residual gelled material into beneficial gas and liquid phases through chemical reaction, transforming the problem of gel blockage into a solution where the reaction products clean and enhance fracture conductivity
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 method effectively increases the stimulated reservoir volume, enhances production from hydrocarbon-bearing formations, and reduces fracturing costs by minimizing water usage and avoiding damage to the formation, while improving permeability and wellbore cleanup.
Implementation Method 1
applying microwaves to the exothermic reaction component, where the microwaves trigger the exothermic reaction of the exothermic reaction component
Implementation Method 2
generating heat and gas in situ by the exothermic reaction to increase pressure and temperature of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Compositions and methods for triggering an exothermic reaction of an exothermic reaction component are provided. A method includes the steps of mixing the exothermic reaction component in an aqueous solution to achieve a pre-selected solution pH, where the aqueous solution operably delays triggering of the exothermic reaction upon reaching a pre-determined temperature of a hydrocarbon-bearing formation; disposing the exothermic reaction component within the hydrocarbon-bearing formation; applying microwaves to the exothermic reaction component, where the microwaves are operable to trigger the exothermic reaction of the exothermic reaction component; and generating heat and gas in situ by the exothermic reaction to increase pressure and temperature of the hydrocarbon-bearing formation proximate the exothermic reaction component.