TTPC Biocide Gel Matrix for Subterranean Bacteria Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for treating bacteria-contaminated subterranean formations are ineffective due to bacteria's location in fractures far from well bores, leading to instability in treatment fluids and reduced formation productivity.
Innovation Solution
The use of tri-n-butyl tetradecyl phosphonium chloride (TTPC) as a biocide, either in liquid or solid form, combined with treatment fluids and particulates, to create a suspension or gel matrix that can be introduced into the formation to effectively reach and eliminate bacteria, while maintaining formation productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If treating fluids containing bactericides are pumped into previously fractured contaminated formations, then bacteria can be killed, but the proppant materials in the fractures are disturbed thereby reducing formation productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a gel matrix as an intermediary carrier to deliver TTPC biocide to bacteria in fractures. The gel matrix provides a viscous medium that reduces fluid loss and prevents proppant disturbance while transporting the biocide to the target location, thus eliminating bacteria without reducing formation productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the treatment fluid by using a gel matrix with high viscosity. This parameter change allows the fluid to maintain its position in the fractures, reduce fluid loss, and prevent proppant movement while delivering the biocide effectively
2Reliability
If high concentrations of bactericides are used to ensure bacteria contact, then bacteria elimination is improved, but treatment fluid stability deteriorates due to biocide incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The gel matrix serves as an intermediary that protects the TTPC biocide from incompatible components in the treatment fluid. This encapsulation allows high concentrations of biocide to be used without causing fluid instability or precipitation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite treatment system combining TTPC biocide with a gel matrix formulation. This composite structure maintains biocide effectiveness while ensuring compatibility and stability with other treatment fluid components
3Reliability
If conventional biocides are used to treat bacteria in fractures, then some bacterial activity is reduced, but the biocides fail to reach bacteria at long distances from well bores
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses hydraulic fracturing principles to create and propagate fractures through the formation, allowing the gel matrix containing TTPC to be transported to distant locations where bacteria are present, thus extending the reach of the biocide treatment
Solution Approach 2:
The gel matrix acts as a mediator that enables long-distance transport of the biocide to bacteria in fractures far from the wellbore, overcoming the limitation of conventional biocides that cannot reach distant locations
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
TTPC effectively kills bacteria at high temperatures, is stable, and minimizes interaction with treatment fluids, ensuring the formation's integrity and productivity by ensuring the biocide reaches bacteria in fractures, thereby reducing hydrogen sulfide production and corrosion.
Implementation Method 1
tri-n-butyl tetradecyl phosphonium chloride (TTPC)...capable of killing living organisms
Implementation Method 2
combining the particulates coated with TTPC with the treatment fluid to create a suspension...crosslinking the anionic crosslinkable polymer with the crosslinker in the presence of the TTPC to form a gel matrix
Implementation Method 3
coating the TTPC onto the particulates
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of treating subterranean formations to reduce bacteria load are provided. Some methods include the steps of providing a treatment fluid, particulates, and tri-n-butyl tetradecyl phosphonium chloride (TTPC) wherein the TTPC is in liquid form or in solution; coating the TTPC onto the particulates; combining the particulates coated with TTPC with the treatment fluid to create a suspension; and, placing the suspension into the portion of the subterranean formation. Other methods involve the use of TTPC in the form of a solid salt.