Nano-dispersion Well Servicing Fluid with pH Adjuster

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional well servicing fluids, particularly those using polymers and viscoelastic surfactants, face issues such as formation damage, increased fluid leakage, and reduced efficiency due to polymer residue and high leakage into the reservoir matrix, which affect the effectiveness of hydraulic fracturing and gravel packing operations.

Innovation Solution

A nano-dispersion well servicing fluid formulated with nanoparticles like aluminum oxides, aluminum hydroxides, and zirconium oxides in an aqueous base, which provides shear thinning properties, improved fluid loss control, reduced formation damage, and enhanced viscosity stability at elevated temperatures, without the use of viscoelastic surfactants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If polymer gelling agents are used to increase viscosity for proppant suspension, then proppant carrying capacity is improved, but polymer residue coating on proppant and formation damage occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproppant carrying capacityVSAvoidpolymer residue coating and formation damage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameter by replacing polymer gelling agents with viscoelastic surfactants (VES), which provide similar viscosity enhancement without leaving harmful residue coatings on proppant or causing formation damage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The viscoelastic surfactants used in the invention are designed to break down completely after treatment, leaving no persistent residue, unlike conventional polymers that leave long-lasting coating on proppant and formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If viscoelastic surfactants are used to reduce formation damage, then polymer cake residue is minimized, but fluid leakage into reservoir matrix increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymer cake residueVSAvoidfluid leakage into reservoir matrix

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines viscoelastic surfactants with nanoparticles (such as silica, alumina, or titania) to create a composite fluid system that provides both low formation damage and improved leak-off control, overcoming the limitations of VES alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Nanoparticles act as intermediaries that enhance the fluid's ability to control leak-off while maintaining the low-residue benefits of viscoelastic surfactants, bridging the performance gap between polymer and VES fluids

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Strength

If conventional polymers are used as gelling agents, then viscosity is increased for fracture propagation, but cationic or anionic charge causes formation damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviscosity for fracture propagationVSAvoidformation damage from ionic charge

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the charge parameter by using non-ionic viscoelastic surfactants instead of cationic or anionic polymers, eliminating the harmful ionic charge that causes formation damage while maintaining viscosity enhancement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 nano-dispersion fluid effectively transports proppant, reduces the likelihood of emulsion formation and wettability alteration, and maintains viscosity control, leading to improved leak-off control and reduced formation damage, thus enhancing the efficiency of fracturing and gravel packing operations.

Implementation Method 1

The well servicing fluid is formulated with components comprising: nanoparticles... wherein the concentration of nanoparticles is greater than 0.5% by weight... The well servicing fluid can provide one or more of the following advantages: shear thinning properties suitable for transporting proppant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear thinning: Shear Thinning

Implementation Method 2

improved ability to maintain viscosity at elevated temperatures

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal stability:

Implementation Method 3

improved fluid loss control, reduced damage to the formation... improved leak off control compared to some VES fluids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Data Source

PatentUS9518213B2Nano-dispersion well servicing fluid containing a pH adjuster

Publication Date: 2016.12.13 BAKER HUGHES CO

AI summary

A nano-dispersion well servicing fluid is disclosed. The well servicing fluid is formulated with components comprising: nanoparticles comprising at least one material chosen from aluminum oxides, aluminum hydroxides, aluminum hydroxyoxides, zirconium oxides, zirconium hydroxides, zirconium hydroxyoxides, wherein the concentration of nanoparticles is greater than 0.5% by weight based on the total weight of the nano-dispersion well servicing fluid. The well servicing fluid also comprises an aqueous base continuous phase. Methods of employing the nano-dispersion to service a wellbore are also disclosed.