Surface Modifying Agent for Subterranean Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for enhancing hydrocarbon productivity in subterranean formations face challenges such as reduced fracture conductivity due to fines generation, excessive water production, and inefficient control of scale and paraffin deposition, particularly in low permeability formations like shale and coal, as well as high frictional drag during fluid flow.
Innovation Solution
A surface modifying treatment agent with a hydrophobic tail and an anchor is pumped into the well, binding to the subterranean formation to reduce friction, stabilize fines, and control water and scale deposition, while increasing permeability and preventing swelling of clays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional well treatment chemicals are used to control scale and paraffin deposition, then some deposition control is achieved, but less than desirable results are achieved especially in low permeability formations
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment agent applies different functional groups to different parts of the formation surface: hydrophobic groups face the hydrocarbon phase to prevent deposition, while polar groups bind to the formation surface. This localized functional differentiation enables effective deposition control in low permeability formations without sacrificing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment agent is a composite molecule combining multiple functional groups (hydrophobic groups, polar groups, and optionally reactive groups) into a single molecular structure. This composite design allows simultaneous achievement of surface binding, hydrocarbon affinity, and deposition prevention, resolving the contradiction between reliability and productivity.
2Force
If drag reduction agents are used to reduce frictional drag, then friction is reduced, but the agents are highly viscous and require specialized injection equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment agent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the formation surface by introducing hydrophobic groups that reduce surface energy and friction. This parameter change reduces frictional drag without requiring the treatment agent itself to be a high-viscosity polymer, thus avoiding specialized injection equipment requirements.
3Productivity
If aqueous fracturing fluids are used, then fracturing is achieved, but excessive water production occurs which decreases productivity
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using aqueous (water-based) fracturing fluids that lead to excessive water production, the invention inverts the approach by using oil-based or non-aqueous treatment agents. These agents impart hydrophobicity to the formation surface, reducing water affinity and thereby reducing excessive water production while maintaining hydrocarbon productivity.
4Productivity
If well treatment agents are used to enhance productivity, then some improvement is achieved, but control of deposition in low permeability formations remains insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment agent applies different functional groups to different parts of the formation surface: hydrophobic groups face the hydrocarbon phase to prevent deposition, while polar groups bind to the formation surface. This localized functional differentiation enables effective deposition control in low permeability formations without sacrificing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment agent changes the surface energy and wettability parameters of the formation by introducing hydrophobic groups. This parameter change enhances deposition control reliability while maintaining or improving hydrocarbon productivity, especially in low permeability formations.
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 treatment agent effectively reduces frictional drag, enhances hydrocarbon recovery, stabilizes fines, and controls water and scale deposition, leading to improved productivity and reduced water production, especially in low permeability formations.
Implementation Method 1
The surface modifying treatment agent binds to a surface of the subterranean formation by attaching the anchor to the formation
Implementation Method 2
The surface modifying treatment agent is aligned as a self assembled monolayer onto the siliceous or metal oxide-containing subterranean formation
Implementation Method 3
A surface modifying treatment agent having a hydrophobic tail and an anchor... reduces friction
Data Source
AI summary
A well treatment fluid contains a surface modifying treatment agent having an anchor and a hydrophobic tail. The surface modifying treatment agent is an organophosphorus acid derivative. After the well treatment fluid is pumped into a well penetrating the subterranean formation, the anchor binds to the surface of the formation. The subterranean formation is a siliceous formation or a metal oxide-containing subterranean formation. The anchor bonds to a Si atom when the formation is a siliceous formation and to the metal of the metal oxide when the formation is a metal oxide-containing formation. After being bound to the surface of the formation, frictional drag within the well is reduced. This allows for faster recovery of formation fluids. The bonding of the surface modifying treatment agent onto the formation may further be enhanced by first pre-treating the formation with a non-aqueous fluid. By increasing the number of sites for the surface modifying treatment agent to bind onto the surface of the subterranean formation, productivity is improved.