Multimodal Polymeric Fluid Loss Additive for Subterranean Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing subterranean treatment fluids face challenges with fluid loss control due to the limitations of particulate and polymeric additives, including size optimization issues, compatibility problems, and over-crosslinking, which affect their effectiveness in various subterranean operations.
Innovation Solution
The use of a multimodal polymeric fluid loss additive comprising multiple pluralities of polymer molecules with different average molecular weights, which enhances fluid loss control without the need for particulate materials or excessive crosslinking agents, and maintains desirable rheological properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If particulate fluid loss control materials are used to fill pore spaces and form filter cake, then fluid loss control is improved, but the risk of particulate invasion into formation matrix increases and remedial treatment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the fluid loss control material from particulate (solid) to polymeric (molecular) form. This parameter change allows the material to fill pore spaces through molecular entanglement and adsorption rather than mechanical particulate invasion, resolving the contradiction between fluid loss control effectiveness and formation damage risk.
2Reliability
If polymeric fluid loss control additives with crosslinking agents are used, then fluid loss control is improved, but the complexity of maintaining specific conditions and avoiding over-crosslinking increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the crosslinking agent component from the polymeric fluid loss control additive system. By eliminating the crosslinking agent, the patent eliminates the need to maintain specific pH levels and avoid over-crosslinking conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between improved fluid loss control and increased process complexity.
3Productivity
If polymeric materials with low dispersity are used, then the fluid can transport larger proppant particulates, but the ability to fill pore spaces sufficiently is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dispersity parameter of the polymeric material to an optimized range (0.05 to 0.30). This parameter optimization creates a balance where the polymer molecules have sufficient size distribution to fill pore spaces effectively while maintaining the fluid's ability to transport proppant particulates, resolving the contradiction between pore space filling capability and proppant transport capability.
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 improves fluid loss control by effectively filling pore spaces in subterranean formations, reducing fluid leakage, and preventing over-crosslinking, while maintaining the ability to transport proppant particulates, thus enhancing the efficiency of subterranean operations.
Implementation Method 1
The polymer molecules also may reduce fluid loss by filling the pore spaces of the formation matrix and/or proppant pack, thereby preventing the flow of fluid through those pore spaces
Implementation Method 2
When included in a treatment fluid, these polymeric materials may viscosify that fluid, thereby reducing the leakoff rate of the fluid into the formation and/or proppant pack
Implementation Method 3
Crosslinked polymers are polymers wherein two or more of the polymer molecules have become crosslinked by interaction with a crosslinking agent, such as a metal ion or a borate ion
Data Source
AI summary
Fluids useful as subterranean treatment fluids, and more particularly, polymeric fluid loss additives, subterranean treatment fluids with improved fluid loss control, and their associated methods of use, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid that comprises a base fluid, and a polymeric fluid loss control additive that comprises at least a first plurality of polymer molecules having a first average molecular weight, and a second plurality of polymer molecules having a second average molecular weight, wherein the first average molecular weight is different from the second average molecular weight; and introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.