Stabilized Liquid Polymer Compositions for Offshore Oil Recovery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional polymer flooding methods for enhanced oil recovery are time-consuming and space-intensive, particularly in offshore operations, and the stability of inverse emulsions and liquid polymers deteriorates during transportation, leading to reduced polymer activity due to sedimentation and caking, which affects filter ratio and formation permeability.

Innovation Solution

A liquid polymer or inverse emulsion composition comprising synthetic copolymers, emulsifier surfactants, inverting surfactants, and stabilizing agents like siloxane polyether compounds and poly(alkyl)acrylate compounds, which when inverted in an aqueous solution, provides a stable polymer solution with a filter ratio of 1.5 or less, ensuring rapid dissolution and minimal formation plugging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional dry powder polymer dissolution is used, then polymer flooding can be implemented, but the process is time-consuming and requires significant space and equipment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymer dissolution speedVSAvoidtime for on-site dissolution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer is pre-dissolved and formulated into a liquid composition with stabilizing agents before transportation. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming on-site dissolution of dry powder, allowing the polymer solution to be ready for immediate injection into the formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Stabilizing agents (siloxane polyether compounds and/or poly(alkyl)acrylate compounds) are introduced as intermediary substances that prevent polymer sedimentation and caking during transportation. These agents mediate between the polymer and the liquid carrier, maintaining polymer stability without requiring on-site preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If inverse emulsion or liquid polymer composition is used, then space and equipment requirements are reduced, but stability deteriorates during transportation causing sedimentation and caking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoffshore portabilityVSAvoidpolymer stability during transportation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a composite liquid composition by combining the polymer with specific stabilizing agents (siloxane polyether compounds and/or poly(alkyl)acrylate compounds) and a liquid carrier. This composite formulation provides both the portability of liquid compositions and the stability needed to prevent sedimentation and caking during transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

Stabilizing agents are added beforehand to the liquid polymer composition to cushion against the destabilizing effects of transportation. These agents preemptively prevent polymer aggregation and sedimentation, ensuring the composition remains stable throughout transport without requiring special handling or storage conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Productivity

If polymer concentration is increased to improve oil recovery, then treatment effectiveness increases, but filter ratio worsens due to sedimentation and caking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoil recovery efficiencyVSAvoidfilter ratio and injectivity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Stabilizing agents act as intermediary substances that allow higher polymer concentrations to be maintained without the harmful effects of sedimentation and caking. These agents mediate between the polymer chains, preventing aggregation even at high concentrations, thereby maintaining both oil recovery effectiveness and acceptable filter ratios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 ensures rapid dissolution of polymers in less than 30 minutes, maintains stability during transportation, and prevents formation plugging, enhancing oil recovery efficiency by maintaining optimal filter ratios and viscosity, thus improving injectivity and reducing equipment costs.

Implementation Method 1

one or more stabilizing agents chosen from one or more siloxane polyether compounds, one or more poly(alkyl)acrylate compounds, or any combination thereof

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectStabilizing agent effect:

Implementation Method 2

one or more emulsifier surfactants; one or more inverting surfactants

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant effect: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS12351757B2High stability polymer compositions for enhanced oil recovery applications

Publication Date: 2025.07.08 CHEVRON USA INC

AI summary

Disclosed are methods of using liquid polymer and inverse emulsion compositions comprising one or more hydrophobic liquids having a boiling point at least about 100° C.; one or more acrylamide-(co)polymers; one or more emulsifier surfactants; one or more inverting surfactants; and one or more stabilizing agents (e.g., one or more siloxane polyether compounds, one or more poly(alkyl)acrylate compounds, or any combination thereof). When the composition is inverted in an aqueous solution, it provides an inverted solution having a filter ratio using a 1.2 micron filter (FR1.2) of about 1.5 or less. The inverted solutions can be used in oil and gas operations.