Subterranean Surface Wettability Agent for Stable Hydrocarbon Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for altering the wettability of subterranean formation surfaces to enhance hydrocarbon production are not permanent and suffer from instability, as surfactants are desorbed and washed out over time, while alkoxy silanes and silane chemistry with nanoparticles lead to polymer precipitation.
Innovation Solution
Using a surface modifying wettability agent with an anchor and hydrophobic/oleophobic tail portion, and a blocking moiety to impart hydrophobicity/oleophobicity to the formation surface, forming a condensation reaction product that stabilizes the agent in the presence of water, thereby enhancing permeability and hydrocarbon recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If surfactants are used to alter wettability and improve hydrocarbon production, then permeability and hydrocarbon recovery are enhanced, but the solution is not permanent as surfactants are desorbed and washed out over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the wettability altering agent by using silane compounds with specific functional groups (alkoxy, hydroxyl, carboxyl) that can form stable covalent bonds with formation surfaces. These chemical parameter changes enable permanent attachment to the formation, resolving the contradiction between improving hydrocarbon production and maintaining long-lasting wettability alteration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures where silane molecules combine hydrophobic/oleophobic functional groups with reactive groups that bond to formation surfaces. This composite structure allows the material to simultaneously achieve strong surface attachment (for permanence) and wettability modification (for hydrocarbon production enhancement).
2Productivity
If alkoxy silanes are used to alter wettability, then wettability modification is achieved, but the alkoxy groups hydrolyze and form crosslinked polymers that precipitate, reducing stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the functional groups attached to the silane anchor: hydrophobic/oleophobic groups (C1-C40 alkyl, aryl, fluorinated groups) provide wettability modification, while blocked hydrolyzable groups (—OB where B is C1-C20 alkyl or aryl) provide controlled reactivity. This local differentiation allows wettability modification without uncontrolled hydrolysis and precipitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocked hydrolyzable functional groups act as intermediaries that control the hydrolysis process. The blocking groups (B = C1-C20 alkyl or aryl) prevent premature hydrolysis and crosslinking, allowing the silane to remain stable in aqueous environments while still enabling controlled bonding to formation surfaces through condensation reactions.
3Quantity of substance
If water saturation increases in sandstone formations, then water-wetness narrows pore throats, but this restricts hydrocarbon flow and decreases production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the natural water-wet state of sandstone formations by introducing hydrophobic/oleophobic wettability altering agents. Instead of accepting the water-wet condition that narrows pore throats and restricts hydrocarbon flow, the treatment reverses the wettability to make surfaces hydrophobic, causing water to retract from pore throats and thereby enhancing hydrocarbon flow and production.
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 method provides a stable, long-lasting alteration of wettability, reducing water saturation and increasing permeability, leading to improved hydrocarbon production and reduced operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The blocking moiety increases the stability of the agent in the presence of water by slowing down hydrolysis at the formation surface
Implementation Method 2
A condensation reaction product is formed on the surface of the formation from the one or more-OB moieties and a free hydroxy group directly or indirectly attached to the surface of the formation
Implementation Method 3
The degree of wettability of a surface exposed to hydrocarbons during their production from reservoirs may be altered and relative permeability of the formation improved by use of a surface modifying wettability agent
Implementation Method 4
one or more hydrophobic and/or oleophobic functional groups attached to the anchor... impart hydrophobicity/oleophobicity to the formation surface
Data Source
AI summary
A method of imparting hydrophobicity and/or oleophobicity to a surface of a subterranean formation penetrated by a well during production of hydrocarbons from the well consists of pumping a surface modifying wettability agent into the well, the surface modifying wettability agent having an anchor, one or more hydrophobic and/or oleophobic functional groups attached to the anchor and one or more alkoxy groups as blocking moieties which increase stability of the agent in the presence of water by slowing down hydrolysis at the formation surface.