Shaped Compressed Pellets for Well Treatment Agent Delivery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for delivering well treatment agents to deviated or horizontal wells are inefficient, often requiring large volumes of fluid and specialized equipment, and struggle to ensure uniform treatment distribution due to the difficulty in reaching targeted areas with mechanical tools and chemical additives.
Innovation Solution
The use of shaped compressed pellets composed of a binder and a well treatment composite adsorbed onto calcined porous metal oxide, which allows for controlled and sustained release of the treatment agent, enabling effective inhibition of unwanted deposits and contaminants in wells with complex geometries without the need for specialized equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If downhole squeezing technique is used to deliver chemical treatment agents, then treatment can be delivered to target location, but large volumes of treatment and flush fluid are required and significant costs are added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs porous ceramic particles as a carrier matrix that can absorb and store chemical treatment agents. The porous structure provides high surface area and capacity for holding treatment chemicals, allowing controlled release into the wellbore without requiring large volumes of flush fluid. The ceramic particles act as a reservoir that delivers the treatment agent directly to the target location through natural well flow or mild flushing.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite materials combining ceramic particles with treatment chemicals. The ceramic provides structural integrity and porosity while the treatment chemical provides the functional effect. This composite approach allows the treatment agent to be delivered in a concentrated, space-efficient form that reduces the overall volume of fluid needed compared to traditional downhole squeezing methods.
2Reliability
If slurry mass is made heavy for effective treatment delivery, then treatment reaches bottom of well, but slurry settles beyond deviation and cannot be carried past severe deviations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable ceramic particles that can be easily pumped into the well without requiring complex delivery systems. These particles are designed to be carried by standard well fluids through deviations and then release their treatment charge at the target location. The particles are inexpensive enough to be used in large quantities and discarded after their treatment function is complete, eliminating the need for expensive, specialized delivery equipment required for permanent implants.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the treatment delivery system by using small, free-flowing ceramic particles instead of heavy slurry. The particles have optimal size and density characteristics that allow them to be carried through deviated wellbores by normal production flows while still settling and releasing treatment at the bottom of the well. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between reaching the bottom and navigating deviations.
3Reliability
If solid additives are added during completion stage, then chemical additive can be spotted, but this technique is only effective in new wells when opportunity to spot is available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by incorporating the treatment chemical into the ceramic particle structure during manufacturing, creating a pre-loaded delivery system. This allows the treatment to be delivered at any time during the well lifecycle - during completion, production, or intervention - without requiring well shutdown or specialized spotting operations. The treatment is already prepared and contained within the ceramic particles, ready for deployment whenever needed.
4Reliability
If capillary tubing is installed to aid delivery of chemical treatment, then delivery is improved, but specialized equipment is required and installation is expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, permanent capillary tubing infrastructure with inexpensive, disposable ceramic particles that can be pumped through existing wellbores using standard equipment. The particles perform the treatment delivery function temporarily and then are discarded after use, eliminating the need for costly installation and removal of specialized tubing systems.
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 solution provides a cost-effective and efficient means of delivering well treatment agents, ensuring continuous release over extended periods, thereby improving well productivity and reducing the formation of unwanted deposits in deviated or horizontal wells.
Implementation Method 1
The porosity and permeability of the calcined porous metal oxide is such that the well treatment agent is adsorbed onto the surface of the calcined porous metal oxide or into the interstitial spaces of the calcined porous metal oxide
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A shaped compressed pellet formed from a composite of a well treatment agent adsorbed onto a calcined porous metal oxide or into the interstitial spaces of the calcined porous metal oxide may be introduced into an oil or gas producing well. The well treatment agent of the shaped compressed pellet may be used to prevent and/or control the formation of deposits in the well.