Non-Halogenated Solvent Blend for Asphaltene Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current well treatment fluids for oil and gas wells often cause formation damage due to fluid invasion, leading to reduced hydrocarbon production, and existing solvents used to address this issue pose environmental and health hazards.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising a solvent blend with a terpene and a non-halogenated solvent, along with surfactants, is delivered into the wellbore to reduce residues and facilitate treatment, utilizing a high-density solvent blend that is environmentally friendly and non-toxic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional well treatment fluids are used to stimulate hydrocarbon production, then production enhancement is achieved, but formation damage occurs due to fluid invasion and residual aqueous treatment blocking pore throats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of well treatment fluids by using biodegradable surfactants and non-aqueous solvents instead of conventional aqueous-based formulations. This parameter change allows the fluid to maintain its stimulation function while reducing formation damage through biodegradation and reduced residual blocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs biodegradable surfactants that temporarily perform their function during well stimulation then naturally degrade and disappear. This disposable approach eliminates long-term formation damage from persistent chemical residues while maintaining productivity enhancement during the treatment period.
2Reliability
If compositions are added to reduce fluid invasion and unload residual aqueous treatment, then formation damage is reduced, but the compositions themselves may pose environmental and health hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of chemical residues into a benefit by using biodegradable surfactants that naturally break down. The residual treatment that previously caused harm now becomes beneficial by reducing formation damage, and the degradation products are environmentally benign, turning a harmful scenario into a beneficial one.
Solution Approach 2:
The biodegradable surfactants in the composition perform self-service by automatically degrading after fulfilling their well stimulation function. This self-degradation eliminates the need for additional remediation steps and ensures environmental safety without human intervention, allowing the composition to protect formations while avoiding environmental and health hazards.
3Manufacturing precision
If non-biodegradable solvents are used to effectively remove residues like asphaltenes and paraffins, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but environmental persistence and toxicity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the biodegradability parameter of the solvent system by selecting non-aqueous solvents with appropriate solvation properties. These solvents maintain effective residue removal capabilities for asphaltenes and paraffins while possessing biodegradable characteristics, thus achieving high cleaning efficiency without environmental persistence and toxicity.
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 composition effectively travels through wellbore fluids to remove residues such as asphaltenes and paraffins, enhancing hydrocarbon production while minimizing environmental impact and health risks.
Implementation Method 1
a solvent blend comprises: a terpene and a non-halogenated solvent... causing the composition to travel through the one or more fluids to reduce residues on the wellbore or near the wellbore
Implementation Method 2
from about 0.1 wt % to about 10 wt % of one or more surfactants versus the total weight of the composition
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions comprising non-halogenated solvents for use in various aspects of a life cycle of an oil and/or gas well, and related methods, are provided. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a solvent blend and one or more surfactants. In some embodiments, the solvent blend comprises a first type of solvent (e.g., a terpene) and a second type of solvent (e.g., a non-halogenated solvent). The composition may comprise about 90 wt % to 99.9 wt % of the solvent blend, and about 0.1 wt % to 10 wt % of one or more surfactants, versus the total weight of the composition. In some embodiments, compositions can be used in methods for treating an oil and/or gas well, having a wellbore that comprises one or more fluids. A composition may be delivered into the wellbore, passing through the one or more fluids to reduce residues comprising asphaltenes, paraffins or combinations thereof on or near the wellbore.