Peroxide-Generating Fluids for Subterranean Formation Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydrocarbon wells in subterranean formations with unconsolidated particulates face issues of particulate migration, equipment abrasion, and production hindrance due to contaminants on rock surfaces, which conventional solvent pre-treatments are expensive and toxic.
Innovation Solution
The use of formation conditioning fluids containing peroxide-generating compounds, such as hydrogen peroxide, in an aqueous base fluid to clean the formation by removing contaminants and preparing the surface for consolidating agents, enhancing the adhesion and effectiveness of consolidation treatments while being less expensive and safer than traditional solvents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional solvent pre-treatments are used to remove contaminants from rock surfaces, then contaminant removal effectiveness is improved, but treatment cost increases and toxicity concerns arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the pre-treatment fluid by using peroxide-generating compounds instead of conventional organic solvents. This substitution maintains contaminant removal effectiveness while eliminating toxicity and reducing cost, directly resolving the technical contradiction between effectiveness and harmful factors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs peroxide-generating compounds that decompose into harmless substances (water and oxygen), effectively replacing expensive and toxic conventional solvents. This approach provides a cheap, safe, and environmentally friendly alternative that maintains cleaning effectiveness without the harmful side effects
2Reliability
If high concentrations of solvent are used to achieve contaminant reduction, then contaminant removal effectiveness is improved, but treatment cost and solvent consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical nature of the cleaning agent from conventional solvents requiring high concentrations to peroxide-generating compounds that are effective at lower concentrations. This parameter change reduces both the quantity of substance needed and the associated costs while maintaining contaminant removal effectiveness
3Productivity
If consolidating agents are applied to contaminated rock surfaces, then consolidation treatment can proceed, but adhesion of the consolidating agent deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies peroxide-generating compound pre-treatment before consolidating agent application to remove contaminants from rock surfaces. This preliminary cleaning action ensures that when the consolidating agent is applied subsequently, it achieves optimal adhesion to the cleaned surface, resolving the contradiction between treatment progress and bonding strength
Solution Approach 2:
The peroxide-generating compound acts as an intermediary substance that prepares the rock surface by removing contaminants. This intermediary pre-treatment step facilitates better bonding between the consolidating agent and the rock surface, ensuring both treatment progress and adhesion strength
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 peroxide-generating compounds efficiently remove contaminants, improve the adhesion of consolidating agents, and create cleaned flow paths, leading to increased hydrocarbon production with reduced equipment wear and extended well bore treatment intervals, and provide a stimulation effect by reducing viscosity and facilitating hydrocarbon release.
Implementation Method 1
introducing a peroxide-generating compound into a desired location in a subterranean formation, wherein the peroxide-generating compound further comprises a chemical moderator that acts to inhibit the reaction of the hydrogen peroxide within the subterranean formation; and later, allowing the peroxide-generating compound to generate peroxide in the desired location in a subterranean formation
Implementation Method 2
allowing the peroxide to remove contaminants therefrom
Data Source
AI summary
Of the methods provided herein, is a method comprising: providing a clean-up fluid comprising a peroxide-generating compound and an aqueous base fluid; placing the clean-up fluid in a subterranean formation; removing contaminants from at least a portion of the subterranean formation to form a cleaned portion of the formation; providing a consolidation agent; placing the consolidation agent on at least a portion of the cleaned portion of the formation; and allowing the consolidation agent to adhere to at least a plurality of unconsolidated particulates in the cleaned portion of the formation.