Two-Stage Curing Resin for Proppant Pack Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
During hydraulic fracturing, curable resin-coated proppant settlement in the wellbore leads to premature screenout and requires aggressive removal methods like hydrajetting or drilling, which can damage the consolidated pack and reduce its strength.
Innovation Solution
A composition comprising an amine-curable resin with a curing agent having both primary and secondary amines, allowing for two-stage curing, enabling easier removal before final curing and enhancing the strength of the consolidated pack.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If curable resin-coated proppant is used to form a consolidated pack, then the consolidation strength is improved, but the difficulty of removal increases requiring aggressive procedures like hydrajetting or drilling
Solution Approach 1:
The curing process is segmented into multiple stages: an initial rapid curing stage that provides temporary consolidation, and a final curing stage that achieves full strength. This segmentation allows the proppant pack to be removed during the intermediate state before complete curing, avoiding the need for aggressive removal procedures while maintaining sufficient consolidation during the treatment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The resin coating is applied to the proppant particles in advance, but the actual curing reaction is delayed and controlled to occur in stages after proppant placement. This preliminary action allows the proppant to be positioned and consolidated to a sufficient degree before the full curing process completes, enabling easier removal if needed while still providing the consolidation benefits.
2Strength
If single-stage curing is used to form consolidated pack, then the consolidation strength is achieved quickly, but contact points between grains are damaged and final strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The curing process is divided into multiple stages with different curing rates. The first stage uses a faster-curing resin component to provide initial consolidation, while the second stage uses a slower-curing component that allows grains to settle into stable contact points. This segmented approach prevents damage to contact points while achieving the desired consolidation strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The curing agent structure is modified to control the reaction kinetics, creating a multi-stage curing profile. By adjusting the chemical parameters of the curing agent (specifically using agents with both primary and secondary amines), the patent achieves different curing rates at different stages, allowing contact points to form and stabilize before full strength curing completes.
3Ease of repair
If aggressive removal procedures like hydrajetting or drilling are used, then the proppant pack can be removed, but the consolidated pack strength is reduced and well productivity is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-stage curing process creates an intermediate state where the proppant pack has sufficient consolidation for treatment purposes but has not yet reached full strength. This allows for easier removal methods (such as simple jetting or flushing) to be used if removal is needed, avoiding the damage caused by aggressive procedures and preserving well productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-stage curing resin acts as an intermediary mechanism that provides temporary consolidation during the treatment process while allowing for controlled removal afterward. The resin maintains the proppant structure during injection and treatment, then can be broken down or removed more easily once the treatment is complete, preventing damage to the wellbore and maintaining 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 two-stage curing process facilitates easier removal of the proppant pack and improves its consolidation strength, reducing interference with other downhole treatments and increasing well productivity.
Implementation Method 1
The composition includes a curable resin, wherein the resin is amine-curable. The composition includes a curing agent having a structure including at least one primary amine and at least one secondary amine.
Implementation Method 2
The curable resin is amine-curable. The composition includes a curing agent having a structure including at least one primary amine and at least one secondary amine.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to compositions for treatment of subterranean formations including a curable resin that is amine-curable and a curing agent having a structure including at least one primary amine and at least one secondary amine, and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of treating a subterranean formation. The method can include obtaining or providing a composition including a curable resin that is amine-curable and a curing agent having a structure including at least one primary amine and at least one secondary amine. The method can include placing the composition in a subterranean formation downhole.