Self-Degrading Crosslinked Polymer Friction Reducer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hydraulic fracturing methods require encapsulated breakers for polymer degradation, which can lead to premature polymer breakdown and hinder fracture cleanup, and existing self-degrading systems still need additional components for effective cleanup.

Innovation Solution

A self-degrading high viscosity friction reducer (HVFR) composed of a crosslinked polymer that breaks down at elevated temperatures without a breaker, using crosslinkers like polyethylene glycol diacrylate or polyethylene glycol monomethacrylate, allowing for a one-component system that degrades over time to facilitate fracture cleanup.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If encapsulated breakers are used to degrade polymer, then polymer degradation is achieved, but premature polymer breakdown occurs and fracture cleanup is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymer degradation controlVSAvoidfracture cleanup efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer contains hydrolyzable crosslinkers that automatically degrade at elevated temperatures without requiring external breaker agents. The crosslinked polymer structure self-destructs through thermal hydrolysis of the crosslink bonds, eliminating the need for encapsulated breakers and preventing premature degradation while maintaining fracture cleanup efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The degradation behavior is controlled by changing the chemical structure of crosslinkers to be hydrolyzable at specific temperatures. By selecting crosslinkers with appropriate thermal stability, the polymer maintains its integrity at injection and storage temperatures but automatically degrades at reservoir temperatures, achieving reliable degradation control without premature breakdown

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If breaker concentration is increased to improve polymer breakdown, then degradation efficiency is improved, but polymer efficacy is reduced due to premature breakdown

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymer breakdown efficiencyVSAvoidpolymer efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer system performs its own degradation function through thermally unstable crosslinkers that hydrolyze at elevated temperatures. This self-degrading mechanism eliminates the need for external breaker chemicals, ensuring that polymer breakdown occurs only when and where needed (in the heated fracture environment) without premature degradation that would reduce polymer efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The breaker function is extracted from the system by incorporating hydrolyzable crosslinkers directly into the polymer structure. Instead of adding separate breaker chemicals, the degradation capability is built into the polymer itself through the selection of thermally labile crosslinking agents, simplifying the system and eliminating the trade-off between breakdown efficiency and polymer efficacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Productivity

If additional components are added to improve fracture cleanup, then cleanup effectiveness is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefracture cleanup effectivenessVSAvoidsystem component count

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The crosslinked polymer structure serves multiple functions: it provides the necessary viscosity and friction reduction properties during injection, maintains structural integrity during transport, and automatically degrades at reservoir temperatures to enable fracture cleanup. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate breaker components while achieving effective fracture cleanup

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The degradation function is merged with the polymer structure itself through the use of hydrolyzable crosslinkers. The crosslinking agent that provides structural integrity also contains the thermal instability required for degradation, combining the functions of polymer stabilization and controlled breakdown into a single integrated system without requiring additional components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 HVFR effectively degrades at elevated temperatures, reducing viscosity and facilitating efficient fracture cleanup, with improved permeability recovery and reduced polymer residue, enhancing well productivity without the need for additional breakers.

Implementation Method 1

a polymer crosslinked with a crosslinker hydrolyzable at an elevated temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Data Source

PatentUS20250207015A1Self-Degrading High Viscosity Friction Reducer and Uses Thereof

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

AI summary

Provided herein are high viscosity friction reducers that are self-degrading and a one-component system using the same high viscosity friction reducers. The high viscosity friction reducer is a crosslinked polymer, for example a crosslinked cationic polymer such as a polyacrylamide polymer. The high viscosity friction reducers are useful in a fracture well self-cleaning system without the need of a breaker.