Thiol-ene Resin Coated Proppant for Sand Consolidation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional resin systems used for sand consolidation in subterranean operations often reduce permeability, are toxic, and have reduced modulus values at higher temperatures, making them unsuitable for environmentally friendly and effective fracturing and consolidation in petroleum-containing formations.
Innovation Solution
A photopolymerizable/thermal resin system utilizing thiol-ene components, comprising a thiol monomer, an ene monomer, and a long chain hydrocarbon viscosifier, which is applied to proppant particles and placed in the formation without initial curing, to enhance functional group conversion, mechanical properties, and conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional plastic resins are used for sand consolidation, then the sand grains are cemented together to form a consolidated mass, but the permeability of the consolidated formation is reduced below acceptable levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the resin system by using thiol-ene chemistry instead of conventional plastic resins. This chemical parameter change results in a consolidated sand mass that maintains higher permeability while still providing adequate bond strength to restrain sand particle movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system by combining thiol-ene resin compounds with proppants. This composite approach allows the resin to effectively bond sand grains while preserving the permeability needed for fluid production, resolving the contradiction between strength and productivity.
2Strength
If conventional plastic resins are used for sand consolidation, then the sand grains are cemented together, but the toxicity of the resins creates environmental issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by selecting thiol-ene resin compounds that are less toxic than conventional plastic resins. This parameter change maintains the necessary bond strength for sand consolidation while reducing environmental harm and toxicity concerns.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional green resins such as mineral oil or vegetable based epoxy resins are used, then environmental friendliness is improved, but the modulus values are reduced at higher temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a composite resin system using thiol-ene chemistry that combines the environmental benefits of green resins with improved thermal stability. The unique molecular structure of thiol-ene polymers provides both environmental friendliness and maintained modulus values at elevated temperatures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of green resins by using thiol-ene crosslinking chemistry, which creates a more thermally stable network structure. This parameter change allows the resin to maintain its modulus values at higher temperatures while remaining environmentally friendly.
4Productivity
If a viscous fracturing fluid is pumped at high rate and pressure to form fractures, then additional pathways for oil or gas flow are created, but the proppant materials need consolidation which is difficult with conventional resins
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite thiol-ene resin system that effectively consolidates proppant materials in hydraulic fractures. The resin's unique properties allow it to bond proppant particles reliably while maintaining the fracture openness needed for sustained fluid flow pathways.
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 thiol-ene resin system provides improved polymeric network performance, increased conductivity, and reduced shrinkage, enhancing oil production while being environmentally friendly and compatible with most fracturing fluids, with the ability to react with hydrophobic moieties to generate adequate viscosity.
Implementation Method 1
A method includes combining a long chain hydrocarbon viscosifier, an ene curing agent, and a thiol crosslinking agent to form a resin compound; placing the resin compound into a subterranean formation zone
Implementation Method 2
combining a long chain hydrocarbon viscosifier, an ene curing agent, and a thiol crosslinking agent to form a resin compound
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating a subterranean formation including combining a long chain hydrocarbon viscosifier, an ene curing agent, and a thiol crosslinking agent to form a resin compound; coating the resin compound onto at least a portion of proppant particles to create resin-coated proppant particles; and placing the coated proppant particles into the subterranean formation zone, wherein the resin compound does not substantially cure prior to placing the resin coated proppant particles into the subterranean formation zone.