Silane Wettability Modifiers for Enhanced Oil Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surfactants used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations are depleted over time, leading to decreased production rates due to their loose binding with subterranean formation rocks, necessitating continuous introduction and increasing operational costs.
Innovation Solution
The use of silane-based wettability modifiers with short chain hydrocarbons, such as methane and ethane, which form silica bonds with the formation surfaces, enhancing water imbibition and providing long-term wettability modification, thereby reducing surfactant migration and increasing hydrocarbon production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional surfactants are used to modify formation faces, then hydrophobic or hydrophilic properties are imparted to enhance oil recovery, but the surfactants are depleted over time due to loose binding with formation rocks, leading to decreased production rates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines silane-based wettability modifiers with conventional surfactants to create a composite treatment system. The silane component forms strong silica bonds with formation surfaces, while the surfactant component provides the wettability modification function. This composite approach allows the surfactant to be retained more effectively on the formation faces through the silane's strong bonding, preventing depletion and maintaining prolonged production enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The silane-based wettability modifier acts as an intermediary between the conventional surfactant and the formation rocks. The silane forms a stable bonding layer on the formation surfaces that anchors the surfactant molecules, preventing them from being depleted during production. This intermediary mechanism allows the surfactant to maintain its function without direct loose binding to the formation rocks.
2Productivity
If conventional surfactants are continuously introduced to maintain production rates, then hydrocarbon mobility is maintained, but operational costs increase due to repeated injection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The silane-based wettability modifier is applied in advance to the formation faces to create a stable bonding structure before introducing the conventional surfactant. This preliminary action ensures that when the surfactant is introduced, it will be retained effectively on the formation surfaces, reducing the quantity needed and eliminating the need for continuous re-injection to maintain production rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the bonding parameter of the surfactant-formation interface by introducing silane-based modifiers. This parameter change transforms the loose binding characteristic of conventional surfactants into a strong, stable bonding through silane's silica bond formation, thereby reducing surfactant depletion and consumption while maintaining production enhancement.
3Productivity
If more wells are drilled to compensate for surfactant depletion, then hydrocarbon recovery is maintained, but device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The silane-based wettability modifier serves as an intermediary that stabilizes the surfactant on formation faces, creating a long-lasting effect that reduces the need for additional wells. By preventing surfactant depletion through this intermediary bonding mechanism, the existing well infrastructure can maintain production rates over extended periods without requiring complex multi-well configurations.
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 wettability modifiers improve the water-wetting properties of subterranean formations, leading to sustained hydrocarbon production and reduced need for multiple wells, as they effectively bind to the formation surfaces, maintaining production rates over time.
Implementation Method 1
the silane based wettability modifier... form silica bonds with the formation surfaces
Implementation Method 2
improve the water-wetting properties of subterranean formations
Implementation Method 3
enhancing water imbibition
Data Source
AI summary
A method of enhanced oil recovery may comprise placing into a subterranean formation a production enhancement fluid comprising a short chain hydrocarbon phase and a silane based wettability modifier, wherein the short chain hydrocarbon phase comprises hydrocarbons having 5 or less carbon atoms; allowing the production enhancement fluid to remain in the subterranean formation for a shut-in period; and producing hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation.