Accelerated Swelling of Oil-Swellable Elastomers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for swelling oil-swellable elastomers in wells are slow, with 90% complete swelling taking more than 5 days, and there is no existing solution for achieving this in less than 5 days.
Innovation Solution
A treatment fluid composition comprising alkanes or naphtha with hydrocarbons ranging from 5 to 21 carbons, α-olefins ranging from 18 to 26 carbons, and activators such as ketones, dodecane, terpenes, terpenoids, or haloalkanes, which accelerates the swelling process of oil-swellable elastomers in wells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If conventional oil-based treatment fluids are used for swelling elastomers, then the elastomer swells to the required volume, but the swelling process takes more than 5 days
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical composition parameters of the treatment fluid. Specifically, it changes the hydrocarbon chain length distribution (combining C5-C21 alkanes/naphtha with C18-C26 α-olefins) and introduces activators (ketones, terpenes, haloalkanes) to accelerate the diffusion rate of hydrocarbons into the elastomer matrix, achieving 500% volume expansion in 3-5 days instead of more than 5 days
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by creating a multi-component treatment fluid system. The fluid combines different hydrocarbon types (alkanes/naphtha and α-olefins) with specific carbon range distributions and adds activator compounds to work synergistically. This composite fluid composition accelerates the swelling process while achieving the required 500% elastomer volume expansion
2Productivity
If the elastomer is swollen quickly, then the rig time and costs are reduced, but the diffusion process must be accelerated significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of the treatment fluid to increase the diffusion coefficient. By selecting hydrocarbons with specific carbon ranges (C5-C21 and C18-C26) and adding activators, the fluid achieves faster penetration into the elastomer matrix, increasing the swelling rate to 500% volume expansion in 3-5 days
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses activators (ketones, terpenes, haloalkanes) that act as chemical accelerators analogous to strong oxidants. These activators enhance the chemical interaction between the hydrocarbon treatment fluid and the elastomer polymer chains, accelerating the diffusion and swelling process significantly to achieve high productivity
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 proposed solution enables accelerated swelling of oil-swellable elastomers to 500% volume expansion in about 3 to 5 days, reducing rig time and costs while maintaining tool performance.
Implementation Method 1
Through the random thermal motion of the atoms that are in the liquid hydrocarbons, oil diffuses into the elastomer
Implementation Method 2
as a hydrocarbon enters and is trapped in the elastomer matrix due to the natural affinity of the polymer molecules of the elastomer and the hydrocarbon
Data Source
AI summary
A method of swelling an oil-swellable elastomer in a well comprising the step of: contacting the oil-swellable elastomer in the well with a treatment fluid, wherein the treatment fluid comprises: (A) an oil selected from the group consisting of alkanes and naphtha, wherein the oil comprises hydrocarbons having anywhere in the range of 5 to 21 carbons; (B) an α-olefin having anywhere in the range of 18 to 26 carbons; and (C) an activator for oil-swelling, the activator selected from the group consisting of: ketones, dodecane, terpenes, terpenoids, haloalkanes having from 9 to 20 carbons, and any combination thereof. An oil-swelled elastomer as produced by the method is also contemplated.