Nutrient-Infused Porous Proppant for Sustained Microbial Scale Inhibition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Oil and gas wells often experience reduced production due to insufficient permeability and buildup of barium sulfate scale and organic materials, which existing methods, such as microbially enhanced oil recovery (MEOR), struggle to address effectively as microorganisms fail to survive and thrive downhole.
Innovation Solution
A proppant composition containing nutrients is introduced, which supports the survival and activity of microorganisms in the well, enhancing permeability and conductivity by using porous ceramic proppants infused with nutrients that can elute and release chemicals to inhibit scale and paraffin formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If microorganisms are injected downhole for MEOR, then surfactant material can be provided to prevent scale and paraffin buildup, but the microorganisms do not survive or thrive under downhole conditions and are lost or returned to the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a carrier material (such as porous beads or particles) as an intermediary that delivers microorganisms to the downhole environment. The carrier protects the microorganisms from harsh downhole conditions while allowing them to survive and produce surfactants. The carrier acts as a shield between the fragile microorganisms and the hostile environment, enabling sustained surfactant production for scale and paraffin prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes porous carrier materials with controlled pore structures that can harbor and protect microorganisms. The porous structure provides a protected habitat for the microorganisms while allowing nutrient and surfactant exchange. This porous architecture enables the microorganisms to survive in the downhole environment and continuously produce surfactants without being lost or returned to the surface.
2Stability of the object's composition
If proppant material is used to prop the fracture open, then permeability is maintained, but buildup of barium sulfate scale and organic material reduces well production and permeability over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where microorganisms embedded in the proppant material continuously produce surfactants that prevent scale and paraffin deposition. The system automatically maintains itself by having the microorganisms within the proppant generate protective surfactants in situ, eliminating the need for external chemical treatments and ensuring long-term permeability and production stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-loading the proppant material with microorganisms and nutrients before injection. This ensures that the protective surfactant production begins immediately upon placement in the fracture, preventing scale and paraffin buildup from the outset rather than treating it after it occurs.
3Reliability
If chemical treatment agents are injected for enhanced oil recovery, then scale and paraffin deposits can be prevented, but these treatments do not provide long-term protection and may require repeated injections
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves continuous useful action by embedding living microorganisms within the proppant material that continuously produce surfactants over extended periods. Unlike single-injection chemical treatments, the microorganisms remain active and continuously generate protective surfactants, providing ongoing prevention of scale and paraffin deposits throughout the production lifecycle without requiring repeated injections.
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 nutrient-containing proppant composition improves long-term permeability and conductivity, allowing microorganisms to sustainably inhibit scale and paraffin formation, thereby enhancing oil and gas production and estimated ultimate recovery (EUR).
Implementation Method 1
porous ceramic proppants infused with nutrients that can elute and release chemicals to inhibit scale and paraffin formation
Data Source
AI summary
Compositions and methods for improving proppant conductivity are disclosed herein. The compositions can include a proppant composition for use in hydraulic fracturing, the composition containing a plurality of particulates. At least one particulate of the plurality of particulates can contain at least one nutrient. The at least one nutrient can separate from the at least one particulate located inside a fracture of a subterranean formation after a period of time.