Surfactant Injection Fluids for High-Salinity Fracture Stimulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unconventional reservoirs face formation damage due to unstable injection fluids precipitating under high temperature and salinity conditions, leading to reduced well productivity.
Innovation Solution
The use of low particle size injection fluids comprising anionic or non-ionic surfactants with a hydrophobic tail, mixed with aqueous-based fluids, to stabilize the fluid and minimize particle size to less than 0.1 micrometers, ensuring stability and reducing formation damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional injection fluids with multiple chemical components are used, then the fluid can transport proppant to fracture reaches, but the fluid becomes unstable under reservoir conditions causing formation damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes problematic components from the injection fluid formulation. Specifically, it eliminates divalent metal ions and organic compounds that cause instability, while retaining only essential components (monovalent metal ions, carbohydrates, proteins) that maintain fluid stability and functionality under reservoir conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent fundamentally changes the chemical composition parameters of the injection fluid by transitioning from conventional multi-component formulations to a simplified composition with specific parameter ranges: monovalent metal ion concentration (0.01-10,000 ppm), carbohydrate content (0.1-10%), protein content (0.1-10%), and exclusion of divalent metals and organics. This parameter transformation achieves both stability and functionality.
2Ease of manufacture
If injection fluid contains suspended particles, then the fluid can be formulated with available chemicals, but particles precipitate out causing formation damage and plugging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of particle suspension into a benefit by using controlled fine particles (0.01-10 micrometers) of beneficial substances like carbohydrates and proteins that remain suspended without precipitating. These particles provide desired functionality while the exclusion of harmful divalent metals and organics prevents harmful precipitation, transforming the particle issue into a controlled advantage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the particle size parameter to 0.01-10 micrometers and controls the concentration parameters of suspended substances (carbohydrates 0.1-10%, proteins 0.1-10%) to maintain stability. This parameter transformation ensures particles remain suspended and functional rather than precipitating and causing damage.
3Speed
If injection fluid is exposed to high temperature and high brine salinity, then the fluid can reach the formation, but the fluid becomes unstable and causes productivity loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters to be inherently stable under reservoir conditions: using monovalent metal ions instead of divalent metals, incorporating carbohydrates and proteins at controlled concentrations (0.1-10%), and excluding organic compounds. This parameter transformation allows the fluid to maintain stability and functionality even at high temperatures and brine salinities, enabling sustained injection rates without productivity loss.
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 low particle size injection fluids enhance hydrocarbon recovery by minimizing formation damage, increasing the stimulated reservoir volume, and improving fluid flow through the rock matrix.
Implementation Method 1
The low particle size injection fluid can comprise an aqueous-based injection fluid and an anionic surfactant comprising a hydrophobic tail comprising from 6 to 60 carbon atoms
Implementation Method 2
allowing the low particle size injection fluid to imbibe into a rock matrix of the unconventional subterranean formation for a period of time
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the disclosure include compositions and methods that stabilize a injection fluid when exposed to reservoir conditions, reducing formation damage and increasing the amount of hydrocarbon recovered. Specifically, the formulation is a single-phase liquid surfactant package which comprises a surfactant and optionally one or more secondary surfactants. Also provided are methods of using the stabilized injection fluids in stimulation operations.