Density-Matched Polymer Pack-Off Particles for Anti-Channeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-channeling pack-off particles used in oil-gas wells face issues such as high density and cost, poor pressure resistance, and inadequate particle diameter, leading to channeling and reduced effectiveness in flow control and production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Macromolecule polymer particles with a density close to that of the carrier fluid, such as polyethylene or styrene-divinylbenzene cross-linked copolymer particles, are used to pack off oil-gas wells, allowing for effective sectional flow control and anti-channeling by accumulating at channeling paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional high-density particles (sand, gravel, ceramsites) are used as pack-off medium, then the pack-off effect is achieved, but the cost is high and pressure resistance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of the pack-off particles by using macromolecule polymer particles with density close to carrier fluid (0.8-1.4 g/cm³) instead of traditional high-density particles. This parameter change reduces cost while maintaining pack-off effectiveness through density-matched suspension and targeted accumulation at channeling paths
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite macromolecule polymer particles that combine appropriate density (0.8-1.4 g/cm³), pressure resistance, and surface properties to achieve both cost-effectiveness and functional performance. The composite material approach integrates multiple desirable properties into a single particle system
2Ease of operation
If particles with inappropriate diameter are used, then filling is easier, but channeling occurs and anti-channeling effect is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the particle diameter parameter to a specific range (0.05-1.0 mm) that balances filling ease with anti-channeling effectiveness. This parameter optimization ensures particles are small enough to fill efficiently but large enough to effectively block channeling paths
3Speed
If particles with density far from carrier fluid are used, then settling is faster, but suspension and distribution are poor leading to inadequate pack-off
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of particles to be close to that of the carrier fluid (0.8-1.4 g/cm³ versus approximately 1.0 g/cm³ for water-based fluids). This density matching creates optimal suspension characteristics for uniform distribution while maintaining adequate settling velocity for effective pack-off accumulation
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 use of these particles with a density close to the carrier fluid ensures efficient pack-off and flow control, improving production efficiency by minimizing axial flow while allowing radial penetration, thus enhancing the anti-channeling and pack-off effect.
Implementation Method 1
particles with a density close to the carrier fluid...ensures efficient pack-off and flow control...minimizing axial flow while allowing radial penetration
Data Source
AI summary
Anti-channeling pack-off particles used in a production section of an oil-gas well, a completion method, and a production method are provided. The anti-channeling pack-off particles are macromolecule polymer particles having an average particle diameter of 0.05-1.0 mm and a real density of 0.8-1.4 g/cm3. The particles are compactly filled into a space of the oil-gas well, which is required to be filled and packed off so that there is no channeling path after filling, thus effectively pack-off or sectioning the oil-gas well into multiple, relatively independent regions for production from the oil-gas well, and thus improving the production efficiency of the oil-gas well. Even if a channeling path occurs, a very small flow of channeling fluid of a carrier medium will move some of the anti-channeling pack-off particles in a direction towards the channeling path and accumulate those particles until the channeling path is filled, thereby achieving favorable effects of anti-channeling, packing-off, and sectional flow control.