Well Treatment Composite Sustained Release High pH
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well treatment methods face challenges in sustaining the release of well treatment agents over time, especially in high pH environments, leading to repeated treatments and increased operational costs due to downtime and reduced well productivity.
Innovation Solution
A composite is developed with a well treatment agent precipitated onto a water-insoluble adsorbent in the presence of an alkali or alkaline earth metal salt, allowing for controlled release over an extended period, effective in high pH conditions, and suitable for use in subterranean formations and wellbores.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If a liquid well treatment agent is forced into the formation by hydraulic pressure, then the treatment agent can be delivered to the targeted zone, but the treatment agent cannot be released over a sustained period of time requiring repeated treatments
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment agent is segmented from the carrier fluid through phase separation, allowing the treatment agent to be retained in the formation as a separate phase while the carrier fluid flows through. This enables sustained release over time without requiring repeated injections.
Solution Approach 2:
The treatment agent is pre-positioned in the formation by forcing the treated carrier fluid into the formation under hydraulic pressure before production begins. This preliminary action ensures the treatment agent is already in place to provide sustained protection during subsequent production operations.
2Reliability
If a solid well treatment agent is placed into the producing formation with hydraulic fracturing, then the treatment agent contacts formation fluids before they enter the wellbore, but the treatment agent cannot be released over a sustained period of time
Solution Approach 1:
A carrier fluid acts as an intermediary to deliver the treatment agent into the formation. The carrier fluid carries the treatment agent to the targeted zone, releases it through phase separation, and then flows back to the surface, enabling both effective delivery and sustained release.
Solution Approach 2:
The system utilizes changes in pressure and temperature parameters during the injection and production cycles to control the phase behavior of the carrier fluid and treatment agent. This enables the treatment agent to be forced into the formation under high pressure and then released as the pressure decreases during production.
3Productivity
If conventional well treatment methods are used, then treatments can be performed, but repeated treatments are required increasing operational costs and downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The treatment agent is designed to provide continuous protection against scale formation and other formation issues throughout the production cycle. By pre-positioning the treatment agent in the formation and leveraging the natural production flow to release and distribute it, the system maintains continuous effectiveness without requiring shutdowns for re-treatment.
4Reliability
If treatment agents are repeatedly introduced into wells, then adequate treatment levels can be maintained, but production revenue is lost due to downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the well's own production flow to release and distribute the treatment agent throughout the formation. The natural pressure differential and fluid flow during production automatically activate the treatment agent, eliminating the need for additional energy input or operational intervention to maintain treatment levels.
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 composite ensures continuous and sustained release of well treatment agents, reducing the need for frequent interventions, lowering operational costs, and maintaining well productivity by effectively inhibiting scale, corrosion, and other issues in high pH environments.
Implementation Method 1
The composite is prepared by precipitating a well treatment agent from a liquid onto a water-insoluble adsorbent and in the presence of a metal salt
Implementation Method 2
a well treatment agent adsorbed onto a water-insoluble adsorbent
Data Source
AI summary
A well treatment composite comprising a well treatment agent adsorbed onto a water-insoluble adsorbent may be prepared by precipitating the well treatment agent, in the presence of a metal salt, from a liquid while the well treatment agent is being adsorbed onto the water-insoluble adsorbent. After a treatment fluid containing the composite is introduced into a well or a subterranean formation, the well treatment agent is slowly released from the composite. The composite permits a continuous supply of the well treatment agent into a targeted area and is particularly effective in high pH treatment fluids.