Self-Healing Resin Capsules for Subterranean Crack Repair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional resins used in subterranean treatments are prone to cracking and breakage under harsh conditions, making it difficult to detect and repair cracks, which can lead to failure in applications like cementing and fracturing.
Innovation Solution
A composition of capsules containing a hardenable resin, hardener, or activator is placed in the subterranean formation, allowing for the formation of a self-healing hardened resin that can repair cracks through chemical reactions upon rupture, providing extended life and improved integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional resins are used in subterranean treatments, then flexibility and toughness are improved compared to cement, but cracks form under harsh conditions leading to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The resin system is segmented into multiple functional components: base resin, hardener, and capsules containing healing agents. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while the combination provides enhanced overall performance including self-healing capabilities that prevent catastrophic failure
Solution Approach 2:
Healing agents are pre-loaded into capsules and distributed throughout the resin matrix before application. These capsules remain dormant during normal operation but automatically activate when cracks form, releasing healing agents that seal the cracks and restore structural integrity before breakage occurs
2Object-affected harmful factors
If resins are used to tolerate corrosive gases, then resistance to sour gas conditions is improved, but cracks form under harsh and stressed conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The resin system functions as a composite material combining the base resin matrix with dispersed capsules containing healing agents. This composite structure provides both corrosion resistance from the resin matrix and crack healing capability from the capsule system, maintaining compositional stability under harsh conditions including sour gas exposure and mechanical stress
3Strength
If cracks form in hardened resins, then structural integrity deteriorates, but detection and repair of cracks become difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The resin system performs self-repair through embedded capsules containing healing agents. When cracks form, the capsules rupture and release healing agents that automatically seal the cracks without requiring external detection or intervention. This self-service mechanism maintains structural integrity while eliminating the need for difficult crack detection and repair operations
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 self-healing resin maintains integrity under high stress, temperature, and corrosive conditions, reducing the need for frequent replacement and minimizing adverse effects on production, while extending the lifespan of the cement sheath and reducing remedial services.
Implementation Method 1
A composition of capsules containing a hardenable resin, hardener, or activator is placed in the subterranean formation, allowing for the formation of a self-healing hardened resin
Implementation Method 2
Cracks that form within hardened resins can be difficult to detect and almost impossible to repair
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments disclosed relate to compositions including a plurality of capsules each independently comprising an outer wall and an inner compartment, the inner compartment independently comprising at least one of a first hardenable resin, a first hardener or activator, and a solvent, self-healing hardened resins formed from the same, and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation including placing the composition in a subterranean formation, and forming a selfhealing hardened resin in the subterranean formation from the composition.