Solid Shale Inhibitor Additives for Drilling Fluids

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Solution Overview

Problem

Reactive shales in subterranean formations pose challenges during drilling due to their tendency to swell and degrade when exposed to aqueous drilling fluids, leading to undesirable drilling conditions and interference with the integrity of drilled cuttings.

Innovation Solution

The use of solid shale inhibitor additives, comprising carrier particles and a treatment composition with a shale inhibitor, which are introduced into the wellbore to interact with the shale, inhibit its reactivity, and optionally plug loss zones, providing a salt-free and easier-to-handle alternative to liquid additives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If liquid shale inhibitor additives are used, then shale reactivity is inhibited, but handling difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshale inhibition effectivenessVSAvoidadditive handling ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state parameter of the shale inhibitor from liquid to solid form. This fundamental parameter change resolves the contradiction by maintaining the chemical inhibition effectiveness while dramatically improving handling characteristics - solids are easier to store, transport, dose, and handle than liquids, eliminating spills and contamination risks associated with liquid additives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite material system where solid carrier particles are combined with shale inhibitor chemicals. The carrier particles serve as a solid matrix that holds and delivers the active inhibitor substance, enabling the formulation of solid additives that maintain chemical effectiveness while providing superior handling properties compared to pure liquid inhibitors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of operation

If aqueous drilling fluids are used, then drilling operations are facilitated, but shale degradation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedrilling operation facilitationVSAvoidshale degradation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The solid shale inhibitor additive is introduced into the drilling system before the aqueous drilling fluid contacts the reactive shale formations. This preliminary action of pre-positioning the inhibitor allows it to be present and active at the shale interface, preventing degradation before it occurs while maintaining the benefits of aqueous drilling fluids

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The solid shale inhibitor acts as an intermediary substance between the aqueous drilling fluid and the reactive shale formation. It provides a protective interface that allows aqueous fluids to be used for drilling facilitation while blocking the harmful interaction between water and shale that would otherwise cause swelling and degradation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If solid shale inhibitor additives are used, then handling ease is improved, but fluid loss plugging capability may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadditive handling easeVSAvoidfluid loss control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The solid carrier particles are designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: they serve as carriers for the shale inhibitor chemicals and also act as lost circulation materials that can plug fluid loss zones. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by ensuring that even in solid form, the additive maintains fluid loss control capability while providing superior handling characteristics

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 solid shale inhibitor additives effectively inhibit shale reactivity, reduce fluid loss, and improve drilling conditions by interacting with the shale and plugging loss zones, offering a more manageable and efficient solution compared to traditional liquid additives.

Implementation Method 1

allowing at least a portion of the treatment composition to be released from the carrier particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Implementation Method 2

allowing at least a portion of the treatment composition to be released from the carrier particles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Implementation Method 3

allowing the shale inhibitor to interact with the shale in the subterranean formation to at least partially inhibit the shale

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 4

allowing the shale inhibitor to interact with the shale in the subterranean formation to at least partially inhibit the shale

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS11365338B2Solid shale inhibitor additives

Publication Date: 2022.06.21 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Solid shale inhibitor additives and methods of using such additives to, for example, inhibit shale are provided. In some embodiments, such methods include providing an aqueous treatment fluid that includes an aqueous base fluid and a solid shale inhibitor additive, the solid shale inhibitor additive including carrier particles and a treatment composition that includes a shale inhibitor; and introducing the treatment fluid into a wellbore penetrating at least a portion of a subterranean formation.