Silicone-Tackifier Matrix for Proppant Consolidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for reducing particulate migration in subterranean formations during fracturing and production operations are inefficient, as they either lead to proppant flow-back, fines migration, or require costly and complex filtration systems that are prone to leaching or surface absorption.
Innovation Solution
A silicone-tackifier matrix composition comprising a silicone polymer, a tackifying agent, and a curing or cross-linking agent is used to form a stable, elastomeric matrix that entraps the tackifying agent, preventing leaching and maintaining its tacky nature to consolidate proppants and formation fines, thereby reducing particulate migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional filtration beds or gravel packs are used to control particulate migration, then particulate flow-back is reduced, but device complexity and installation cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of particulate consolidation from complex filtration systems and implements it through a simple coating composition applied directly to proppant surfaces. The silicone polymer coating with tackifying agents provides the necessary consolidation function without requiring gravel packs or sand control screens, thereby eliminating the associated complexity while maintaining effectiveness in controlling particulate flow-back.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, complex, and difficult-to-install filtration systems with an inexpensive coating composition that can be easily applied to proppant. The coating provides sufficient functionality for particulate migration control during the production lifecycle without requiring the elaborate infrastructure of traditional gravel packs or filtration beds.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If tackifying agents are applied to proppant surfaces to consolidate particulates, then particulate migration is reduced, but the tackifying agent leaches out or is absorbed to surfaces over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite coating system where a silicone polymer matrix is combined with tackifying agents. The silicone polymer serves as a stable, non-leaching carrier that anchors the tackifying agents to the proppant surfaces. This composite structure allows the tackifying agents to maintain their particulate-consolidating function while the silicone polymer prevents their leaching and unwanted surface absorption, thereby ensuring long-term reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention modifies the chemical and physical parameters of the tackifying agent system by embedding it within a silicone polymer matrix. This changes the delivery mechanism from direct application (which leads to rapid leaching) to a controlled release system where the silicone polymer gradually releases the tackifying agents, maintaining their effectiveness while preventing unwanted absorption and leaching.
3Strength
If resin coatings are used to form proppant packs, then fracture conductivity is maintained, but the coatings harden and lose their tacky character needed for fine migration control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the parameter of coating tackiness by using silicone polymers with inherently tacky properties rather than resins that harden. The silicone polymer coating maintains its tacky character even after application, allowing it to continuously trap formation fines while still providing adequate proppant consolidation. This parameter change from hardening resin to permanently tacky silicone resolves the contradiction between consolidation strength and fine migration control.
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 silicone-tackifier matrix effectively consolidates proppants and fines, minimizing flow-back and migration, while maintaining permeability and stability in subterranean formations, even under high stress and temperature conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a silicone-tackifier matrix composition that comprises at least one silicone polymer component, at least one tackifying agent, and at least one curing agent and/or at least one cross linking agent
Implementation Method 2
the tackifying agent, inter alia, encourages the particulates to form aggregates or clusters
Implementation Method 3
the silicone-tackifier matrixes are cross linked network matrixes that entrap the tackifying agent in the network to prevent it from leaching out
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a silicone-tackifier matrix composition that comprises at least one silicone polymer component, at least one tackifying agent, and at least one curing agent and/or at least one cross linking agent.