Silane Treatment Fluid for Fines Migration Control in Acidized Wells
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in oil or gas production from subterranean formations is the reduction in hydrocarbon flow rate and overall production due to fines and sand migration, which leads to well productivity decline after acidizing treatments, and existing methods for controlling particulates are costly and time-consuming, often requiring multiple treatment steps and equipment like gravel packing.
Innovation Solution
A silane-based treatment fluid comprising a chemical with a single epoxy group and an amine group is introduced into the subterranean formation to anchor fine particulates, preventing migration and maintaining well productivity, which can be used with or without gravel packing and in conjunction with hydraulic fracturing treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gravel packing operations are used to control fines migration, then fines migration is reduced, but the treatment becomes costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical gravel packing system with a chemical treatment system. Specifically, silane-based chemicals are injected into the formation to chemically bond with and stabilize fines, eliminating the need for mechanical gravel packs and associated complex equipment while achieving equivalent fines control
Solution Approach 2:
The silane-based chemical acts as an intermediary substance that mediates between the fines and the formation matrix. The chemical bonds to fines and cross-links with formation minerals, creating a stabilized structure that prevents migration without requiring physical gravel barriers
2Reliability
If gravel packing operations are used to control fines migration, then fines migration is reduced, but the treatment becomes costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs inexpensive silane-based chemicals that can be injected in sufficient quantities to achieve formation stabilization. These chemicals are far less costly than gravel materials and the equipment required for gravel packing operations, making the treatment economically viable
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of gravel packing (fines stabilization) and achieves it through a simpler chemical mechanism. By removing the complex mechanical infrastructure and replacing it with chemical injection, the treatment cost is dramatically reduced while maintaining effectiveness
3Productivity
If hydrofluoric acid is used for acidizing, then acidizing reaction is effective, but fines are released and migration is accelerated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies silane-based chemical treatment before or after acidizing to counteract the harmful effect of fines release. The silane chemicals bond to fines and stabilize them, preventing migration that would otherwise be caused by the acidizing process, thus allowing effective acidizing without the detrimental aftermath
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 silane-based treatment effectively locks fines in place, reducing migration and maintaining permeability, thus extending well productivity and reducing the need for costly gravel packing operations, while allowing for deeper penetration and improved agglomeration of formation sand or fines without damaging the formation.
Implementation Method 1
A silane-based treatment fluid comprising a chemical with a single epoxy group and an amine group is introduced into the subterranean formation to anchor fine particulates
Implementation Method 2
The silane-based treatment effectively locks fines in place, reducing migration and maintaining permeability
Implementation Method 3
allowing for deeper penetration and improved agglomeration of formation sand or fines without damaging the formation
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for treating a zone of a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore comprising: (A) introducing an acidizing fluid into the zone of the subterranean formation; (B) forming a treatment fluid comprising: (i) a first chemical having: (a) a single epoxy group; and (b) at least one alkoxy group on a silicon atom, wherein the first chemical is water soluble or dissolves with hydrolysis in an aqueous phase; and (ii) a second chemical having an amine group, wherein the second chemical is water soluble or dissolves with hydrolysis in an aqueous phase; and (C) introducing the treatment fluid through the wellbore into the zone of the subterranean formation. In various embodiments, the treatment fluid has a viscosity of less than 5 cP measured at a shear rate of 511 sec−1.