Alkaline Earth Peroxide Fluidized Suspension for Fracturing Viscosity Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydrocarbon recovery operations face challenges with the use of fine particle-sized dry powdered alkaline earth metal peroxides in fracturing fluids, leading to poor dispersion and loss of material, resulting in erratic viscosity reduction and damage to formation permeability.

Innovation Solution

A composition comprising a water-insoluble hydrophobic liquid, an organophilic clay suspension agent, a polar activator, and a sparingly-soluble alkaline earth metal peroxide, which provides thermal stability and a high flash point, enhancing the safety and efficiency of hydrocarbon recovery operations by preventing damage to the formation and maintaining permeability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If dry powdered alkaline earth metal peroxides are used as fracturing fluid breakers, then viscosity reduction function is achieved, but poor dispersion and material loss occur leading to erratic viscosity reduction and formation damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviscosity reduction efficiencyVSAvoidviscosity reduction consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of the peroxide from dry powder to liquid form. The liquid peroxide composition provides consistent dosing and mixing properties, eliminating the dispersion issues associated with fine particles while maintaining the viscosity breaker functionality. This parameter change ensures reliable and consistent viscosity reduction throughout the fracturing operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a carrier liquid as an intermediary medium to deliver the peroxide to the fracturing fluid. This liquid carrier facilitates uniform distribution and controlled release of the peroxide, preventing both poor dispersion and material loss that occur with dry powder application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If fine particle sized dry peroxides are used, then breaker concentration can be controlled, but material loss due to windy atmospheric conditions alters required breaker concentration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreaker concentration controlVSAvoidperoxide material loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from atmospheric (wind-affected) dry powder handling to hydraulic liquid delivery. The liquid peroxide composition is pumped through closed systems, eliminating exposure to windy atmospheric conditions and preventing material loss, while maintaining precise concentration control through metering pumps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

Changing the peroxide from solid to liquid state eliminates volatility and atmospheric interaction issues. The liquid form can be precisely dosed and delivered through closed hydraulic systems, preventing material loss while maintaining accurate breaker concentration control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If continuous addition of viscosity breaker is performed, then viscosity reduction is achieved, but formation permeability is significantly damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviscosity reductionVSAvoidformation permeability damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid peroxide composition enables more precise and controlled addition rates compared to dry powder. This allows achieving the necessary viscosity reduction with optimized dosing, avoiding excessive peroxide addition that would cause formation damage. The controlled delivery system ensures partial action at the optimal level.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 ensures thermal stability above 93°C, maintaining a high flash point and preventing damage to the formation, thereby improving the safety and efficiency of hydrocarbon recovery operations by ensuring accurate viscosity reduction and maintaining formation permeability.

Implementation Method 1

Fracturing fluid breaker technology using dry powdered alkaline earth metal peroxides, such as magnesium peroxide and calcium peroxide is well known

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDecomposition: Decomposition (biological)

Implementation Method 2

a polar activator selected from acetone, methanol, methanol/water, ethanol/water, propylene carbonate, acetonylacetone, diacetone alcohol, dimethyl formamide, or gamma-butyl lactone

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 3

an anionic surfactant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP2809740B1Use of earth metal peroxide fluidized compositions

Publication Date: 2019.08.28 TUCC TECHNOLOGY LLC

Figure 1~2

AI summary

Disclosed is an alkaline earth metal peroxide concentrate, or fluidized suspension, for addition to aqueous hydraulic fracturing fluids to efficiently decrease the viscosity of the hydrated, hydrophilic polysaccharide polymer in the system. The concentrate comprises a hydrophobic, water insoluble liquid, an organophilic clay suspension agent, a polar activator, a sparingly-soluble alkaline earth metal peroxide, and an anionic surfactant. Advantageously, these concentrations, or suspensions, exhibit high flash points, making them easier to transport using commercial transportation means.