Oil-Based Filter Cake Removal Using Mutual Solvent Precursors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The presence of filter cakes on subterranean formation faces, particularly in injection wells, hinders fluid flow and requires high pump pressures, making it difficult to achieve efficient oil recovery, especially in deepwater environments.
Innovation Solution
A wellbore servicing method using compositions comprising a mutual solvent precursor, an acid precursor, and an aqueous fluid to convert oil-wet solids to water-wet solids, allowing for the delayed removal of oil-based filter cakes, thereby reducing the need for high injection pressures and improving fluid flow efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If high pump pressures are used to inject fluid past the filter cake, then fluid flow through the injection well is achieved, but the pump pressures exceed desirable levels and sweep efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by treating the filter cake with a chemical composition before the injection flood operation. The composition containing mutual solvent precursor, acid precursor, and aqueous fluid is introduced into the wellbore to convert the filter cake from oil-wet to water-wet state in advance, reducing the pressure required for subsequent fluid injection and improving sweep efficiency
2Reliability
If a filter cake is present on the formation face, then drilling and fluid loss prevention are improved, but fluid flow through injection and production wells is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by altering the wettability parameter of the filter cake through chemical treatment. The composition changes the surface properties of the filter cake from oil-wet to water-wet, transforming it from a flow barrier to a permeable medium that allows efficient fluid injection and production
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 effectively removes oil-based filter cakes in a time-delayed fashion, enhancing fluid flow and reducing the risk of formation damage, allowing for more efficient oil recovery operations.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the oil wet solids in the wellbore with a composition comprising a mutual solvent precursor; an acid precursor and an aqueous fluid
Implementation Method 2
allowing the oil wet solids to become water wet
Implementation Method 3
wherein the formic acid catalyzes the hydrolysis of additional formate ester
Implementation Method 4
wherein the formate ester hydrolyzes to release formic acid
Data Source
AI summary
A method of servicing a wellbore comprising providing a composition comprising a mutual solvent precursor, an acid precursor, and an aqueous fluid, and contacting the composition with oil wet solids in the wellbore. A method of servicing a wellbore comprising introducing an oil-based fluid into a wellbore, wherein the oil-based fluid forms oil wet solids in the wellbore, contacting the oil wet solids in the wellbore with a composition comprising a mutual solvent precursor; an acid precursor and an aqueous fluid, and allowing the oil wet solids to become water wet. A method of servicing a well bore comprising contacting a composition comprising a formate ester with oil wet solids in the well bore under conditions wherein the formate ester hydrolyzes to release formic acid, wherein the formic acid catalyzes the hydrolysis of additional formate ester, and wherein all or a portion of the formate ester converts at least a portion of the oil-wet solids to water-wet solids.