In-situ Nitrogen Generation for Tight Gas Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current technologies are unable to effectively locate or predict 'sweet spots' in tight gas formations, leading to low well productivity and economic inefficiencies in hydrocarbon recovery, particularly in low permeability formations like shale and sandstone, where hydraulic fracturing methods often cause damage and require extensive environmental mitigation.
Innovation Solution
A reaction mixture containing an ammonium compound and a nitrite compound, encapsulated to delay reaction, is injected into tight gas wells, followed by an activator to generate nitrogen gas and heat, creating microfractures and reducing hydrostatic pressure, thereby increasing hydrocarbon production without environmental harm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If hydraulic fracturing is used to stimulate low productivity wells, then well productivity is enhanced, but formation damage occurs and environmental impact increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful chemicals (proppants and acid-based fluids) from the fracturing process, replacing them with an aqueous solution containing ammonium compound, nitrite compound, and activator that generates nitrogen gas and heat without requiring extensive environmental mitigation procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the fracturing fluid by using an aqueous solution with specific compounds that react to generate nitrogen gas and heat, altering the fundamental mechanism from mechanical fracturing with chemicals to chemical reaction-driven fracturing with environmentally benign byproducts
2Reliability
If acid fracturing is used to create conductive channels, then fracture conductivity is improved, but applicability is limited to carbonate formations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal stimulation method that can be applied to multiple formation types (carbonate, sand, shale) by using an aqueous solution with ammonium compound, nitrite compound, and activator that works through chemical reaction rather than formation-specific acid etching, making the process adaptable to various geological formations
3Reliability
If proppants are used to keep fractures open, then fracture conductivity is maintained, but chemical usage and environmental impact increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes proppants and other harmful chemicals from the fracturing process, relying instead on the nitrogen gas and heat generated by the chemical reaction between ammonium compound, nitrite compound, and activator to maintain fracture conductivity without requiring extensive environmental mitigation
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 method enhances gas production by creating synthetic sweet spots with minimal environmental impact, reducing formation damage, and increasing permeability, making tight gas formations more economically viable.
Implementation Method 1
The reaction mixture can include an ammonium containing compound, a nitrite containing compound; and a hydrogen releasing activator
Implementation Method 2
Upon the generation of nitrogen gas and heat within the formation, microfractures are produced within the formation and the hydrostatic pressure within the reservoir is reduced
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method and composition for the in-situ generation of synthetic sweet spots in tight-gas formations. The composition can include nitrogen generating compounds, which upon activation, react to generate heat and nitrogen gas. The method of using the composition includes injecting the composition into a tight-gas formation such that upon activation, heat and nitrogen gas are generated. Upon the generation of nitrogen gas and heat within the formation, microfractures are produced within the formation and the hydrostatic pressure within the reservoir is reduced to less than the reservoir fluid pressure, such that the rate of production of hydrocarbons from the formation is increased.