Polymer Emulsion Treatment Fluids for High-Brine Friction Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well treatment fluids face challenges in maintaining efficient friction reduction in high brine conditions, particularly due to the interference of high brines with the inversion of emulsion polymers, leading to energy loss and reduced performance in hydraulic fracturing applications.
Innovation Solution
The use of emulsions comprising water, a water-immiscible liquid, and greater than 10% by weight of one or more polymers, along with an inverting surfactant composition of ethoxylated amine, ethoxylated fatty acid, or alkyl polyethyleneglycol ether carboxylic acid compounds, which facilitate rapid inversion and enhanced friction reduction in aqueous brines, even at low temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If water soluble friction reducing polymers are suspended in water in oil emulsions, then the friction reduction performance is improved, but the emulsion inversion is hindered under high brine conditions
Solution Approach 1:
A breaker chemical is introduced as an intermediary substance that facilitates the inversion of the water-in-oil emulsion to an oil-in-water emulsion. The breaker chemical acts as a mediator between the emulsion phases, enabling the polymer to be released into the aqueous treatment fluid even under high brine conditions that would otherwise prevent inversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the emulsion system by adding a breaker chemical that alters the interfacial tension and phase stability. This parameter change enables the emulsion to invert from water-in-oil to oil-in-water configuration, allowing the friction reducing polymer to be released into the aqueous phase despite the presence of high brine concentrations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If high brine conditions are present, then the treatment fluid can handle high salinity formations, but the inversion of emulsion polymers is interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The breaker chemical serves as an intermediary that enables emulsion inversion to proceed successfully in the presence of high brine conditions. Rather than allowing the brine to inhibit inversion, the breaker chemical mediates the phase transition, making the system adaptable to high salinity environments while maintaining reliable inversion performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The breaker chemical is added to the emulsion formulation in advance to counteract the inhibiting effect of brine on emulsion inversion. This preliminary anti-action prevents the brine from interfering with the inversion process, ensuring that the emulsion can reliably invert even when high brine conditions are present from the start.
3Stress or pressure
If friction pressure reducing additives are added during pumping, then pump pressure is reduced, but the energy requirements remain large due to high flow rates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a composite system consisting of water soluble friction reducing polymer, water-in-oil emulsion, and breaker chemical. This composite material approach allows the friction reducing polymer to be delivered in a stable emulsion form that can withstand high brine conditions, while the breaker chemical ensures reliable inversion and release of the polymer into the aqueous treatment fluid, achieving both pressure reduction and energy efficiency.
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 emulsions and treatment fluids provide rapid and enhanced friction reduction in high brine conditions, enabling effective proppant carrying capabilities and minimizing the need for additional chemicals, while maintaining performance across a range of temperatures.
Implementation Method 1
the emulsion must invert to release the friction reducing polymer into the fluid
Implementation Method 2
an inverting surfactant composition comprising one or more surfactants selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated amine compounds, ethoxylated fatty acid compounds, and alkyl polyethyleneglycol ether carboxylic acid compounds
Implementation Method 3
water soluble polymers can be used as friction reducers in well treatment fluids to alter the rheological properties of the fluid so that the turbulent flow is reduced
Implementation Method 4
a fluid composition is injected into the well at pressures effective to cause fractures in the surrounding rock formation
Data Source
AI summary
Emulsions, treatment fluids and methods for treating subterranean formations are provided, wherein the emulsions comprise water, a water-immiscible liquid, one or more polymers, and an inverting surfactant composition comprising one or more surfactants selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated amine compounds, ethoxylated fatty acid compounds, and alkyl polyethyleneglycol ether carboxylic acid compounds, alkyl polyglycol ether carboxylic acid compounds, and salts or esters thereof. The emulsions are particularly suitable for use in brine.