Wellbore Servicing Fluid Scale Inhibition Seawater

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Solution Overview

Problem

Hydraulic fracturing operations in subterranean formations face challenges with scale formation and water blockage due to the use of seawater-based fracturing fluids, which can lead to reduced hydrocarbon recovery rates and equipment damage.

Innovation Solution

A wellbore servicing fluid comprising a scale inhibitor, a surfactant, and an aqueous fluid with sulfate, designed to inhibit scale formation and enhance fluid recovery, is used. The fluid includes a polymeric scale inhibitor and a surfactant, which are mixed with seawater to create a formulation that reduces residue and improves hydrocarbon productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If seawater-based fracturing fluids are used, then cost is reduced and carbon dioxide emissions are reduced, but scale formation occurs and water blockage reduces hydrocarbon recovery rates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidhydrocarbon recovery rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The scale inhibitor is added to the seawater-based fracturing fluid before the fracturing operation to prevent scale formation in advance. This preliminary protective action ensures that when the fracturing fluid contacts formation water containing barium, scale does not form to cause water blockage, thereby maintaining hydrocarbon recovery rates while using cost-effective seawater

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The scale inhibitor acts as an intermediary substance between the seawater-based fracturing fluid and the formation water. It interferes with the chemical reaction that would otherwise produce scale, allowing the beneficial use of seawater while preventing the harmful scale formation that would reduce hydrocarbon recovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of energy

If seawater-based fracturing fluids are used, then carbon dioxide emissions are reduced, but scale formation occurs and restricts hydrocarbon productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecarbon dioxide emissionsVSAvoidhydrocarbon productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The scale inhibitor is incorporated into the seawater-based fracturing fluid before injection to preemptively prevent scale formation. This advance protection ensures that the environmentally friendly seawater option does not lead to productivity loss from scale-induced water blockage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The scale inhibitor converts the potentially harmful interaction between seawater and formation water into a beneficial outcome by preventing scale formation entirely, allowing the use of seawater to maintain both environmental benefits and hydrocarbon productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If fracturing fluid is recovered to the surface, then hydrocarbon productivity is improved, but residue of crosslinked gel and scale causes water blockage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon productivityVSAvoidwater blockage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The scale inhibitor is present in the fracturing fluid before it is injected into the formation, providing preliminary protection against scale formation during the fracturing operation. This prevents scale from forming as residue that would cause water blockage during fluid recovery

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The scale inhibitor serves as an intermediary that prevents the formation of harmful scale residue during the fracturing process, ensuring that when the fracturing fluid is recovered to the surface, hydrocarbon productivity is maintained without water blockage from scale accumulation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 fluid effectively inhibits scale formation and enhances hydrocarbon recovery by maintaining barium concentrations, reducing water blockage, and improving the flowback rate of fracturing fluids, thereby increasing hydrocarbon production and mitigating equipment damage.

Implementation Method 1

a scale inhibitor... Inhibiting formation of scales within the wellbore

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScale inhibition: Precipitation

Implementation Method 2

a surfactant... enhances fluid recovery... reducing water blockage

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentUS11873448B2Wellbore servicing fluid and methods of making and using same

Publication Date: 2024.01.16 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a wellbore servicing fluid comprising a scale inhibitor, a surfactant, and an aqueous fluid comprising sulfate in an amount of from about 100 ppm to about 10,000 ppm based on the total weight of the aqueous fluid. The wellbore servicing fluid can be used as a fracturing fluid in a method of servicing a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation. The wellbore servicing fluid can mitigate the formation of scales, prevent water blockage, and increase hydrocarbon production.