Well Extraction Chemistry for Fracture Skin Damage Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Unconventional petrochemical wells experience significant production decline due to skin damage from scale, paraffin, asphaltene, and biofilm depositions within the fracture system, reducing reservoir/wellbore conductivity and communication, which existing EOR methods fail to effectively address efficiently.
Innovation Solution
Employing a Fracture-EOR method using engineered chlorine dioxide (ClO2) treatments to break down and keep contaminants in solution, combined with tailored nano-surfactants, to restore fracture system conductivity and enhance petrochemical recovery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional EOR methods are used to address production decline, then some recovery improvement may be achieved, but they fail to effectively remove skin damage from scale, paraffin, asphaltene, and biofilm depositions, resulting in limited production uplift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the treatment fluid by using chlorine dioxide at specific concentrations (10-20,000 ppm) combined with nano-surfactants, which fundamentally alters the chemical environment to effectively dissolve and remove multiple types of contaminants (scale, paraffin, asphaltene, biofilm) that traditional EOR methods cannot address
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite treatment system combining chlorine dioxide (a strong oxidant) with nano-surfactants, creating a synergistic effect where the oxidant breaks down organic contaminants and the nano-surfactants emulsify and remove inorganic scale, achieving comprehensive skin damage removal that single-agent traditional EOR methods cannot accomplish
2Productivity
If existing EOR methods are applied to restore fracture system conductivity, then some production improvement may occur, but they require extended shut-in time and large treatment volumes, reducing operational efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical approach of traditional EOR (which relies on large volumes of fluid and extended contact time) with a chemical approach using chlorine dioxide oxidation and nano-surfactant action, which rapidly breaks down and removes contaminants, significantly reducing the required shut-in time and treatment volume
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses chlorine dioxide, a strong oxidant, to rapidly oxidize and break down organic contaminants (paraffin, asphaltene, biofilm) in the fracture system, accelerating the decomposition process and enabling effective treatment with shorter contact time and smaller treatment volumes compared to traditional methods
3Productivity
If conventional treatment methods are used to clean the fracture system, then some contaminant removal may be achieved, but they cannot effectively address multiple types of depositions (scale, paraffin, asphaltene, biofilm) simultaneously, requiring multiple separate treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal treatment system where the combination of chlorine dioxide and nano-surfactants can simultaneously address multiple types of contaminants (inorganic scale, organic paraffin, asphaltene, and biofilm) in a single treatment, eliminating the need for multiple separate treatments required by conventional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses nano-surfactants as intermediaries that bridge the action of chlorine dioxide with various types of contaminants, where the nano-surfactants emulsify and stabilize the removal of different contaminant types, enabling a single treatment system to effectively address diverse deposits that would otherwise require specialized treatments for each contaminant type
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
Significantly increases production and estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) by restoring reservoir/wellbore connectivity, achieving production uplifts of up to 500% and extending the economic life of wells, while reducing shut-in time and treatment volumes compared to traditional EOR methods.
Implementation Method 1
Employing a Fracture-EOR method using engineered chlorine dioxide (ClO2) treatments to break down and keep contaminants in solution
Implementation Method 2
combined with tailored nano-surfactants, to restore fracture system conductivity
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for improving extraction of petrochemicals from petrochemical wells in conventional or unconventional reservoirs. The methods and systems operate by identifying contaminants in one or more samples obtained from a petrochemical well and, based on the identification of the contaminants present in the one or more samples, identifying a composition and pumping schedule configured to remove the contaminants from the petrochemical well. The contaminants may comprise various combinations of iron sulfide, barium sulfate, strontium sulfide, calcite, biomass, paraffin, asphaltene, biofilm, completion fluids, workover fluids, gels, friction reducers, and the like. The composition may include various combinations of chlorine dioxide, acids, and other chemicals. The methods and systems may be used to re-stimulate, clean out, improve, or enhance production of petrochemical wells from which petrochemicals have previously been extracted. For instance, the methods and systems may be used to re-stimulate unconventional, multi-fractured horizontal, vertical, or inclined wells.