Zwitterionic Geminal Liquids for High-Temperature Oil Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wettability modifying chemicals for enhanced oil recovery are ineffective in naturally fractured, high-temperature, high-salinity reservoirs with heterogeneous lithologies, and fail to simultaneously inhibit and disperse asphaltene precipitation, leading to significant economic losses due to fouling and clogging issues.
Innovation Solution
Development of zwitterionic geminal liquids based on hydroxypropyl betaine that act as both wettability modifiers and asphaltene inhibitors/dispersants, capable of operating in high-temperature and high-pressure environments with brines containing divalent ions, and are soluble in various solvents, allowing for improved oil recovery and prevention of asphaltene deposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional wettability modifying chemicals are used in high-temperature, high-salinity reservoirs with heterogeneous lithologies, then oil recovery is improved, but the chemicals become ineffective due to fouling and clogging from asphaltene precipitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical parameters of the wettability modifier by incorporating specific molecular structures (quaternary ammonium or quaternary phosphonium salts with long alkyl chains and specific functional groups) that change the chemical properties to be effective in high-temperature, high-salinity conditions while preventing asphaltene precipitation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite chemical structures combining cationic surfactant molecules with specific functional groups (carboxyl, hydroxyl, or amine groups) that create a synergistic effect, allowing the chemical to simultaneously modify wettability and inhibit asphaltene precipitation
2Productivity
If cationic or anionic surfactants are used to modify rock wettability, then oil recovery is enhanced, but they cause asphaltene precipitation leading to fouling and clogging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of asphaltene precipitation into a beneficial outcome by using cationic surfactants with specific functional groups that prevent precipitation instead of causing it, thereby maintaining chemical effectiveness while eliminating the harmful fouling and clogging effects
3Object-generated harmful factors
If chemicals are used to inhibit asphaltene precipitation, then fouling and clogging are reduced, but they fail to simultaneously modify rock wettability effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The invention develops universal chemical compounds that perform multiple functions simultaneously: modifying rock wettability to enhance oil recovery and inhibiting asphaltene precipitation to prevent fouling and clogging, eliminating the need for separate chemicals for each function
4Adaptability or versatility
If zwitterionic geminal liquids based on hydroxypropyl betaine are used, then both wettability modification and asphaltene inhibition are achieved, but the synthesis process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the synthesis process into distinct steps: first synthesizing the hydroxypropyl betaine core structure, then introducing the long alkyl chains and functional groups through controlled reactions, allowing for systematic development and optimization of the compound properties
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 zwitterionic geminal liquids effectively increase oil recovery by modifying rock wettability and preventing asphaltene precipitation, demonstrating enhanced performance in challenging reservoir conditions and reducing operational issues related to fouling and clogging.
Implementation Method 1
The wettability of a rock can be naturally modified by adsorption of polar compounds
Implementation Method 2
acting as inhibitors/dispersants of asphaltenes
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is related to the obtaining and use of zwitterionic geminal liquids based on hydroxypropyl betaine, as wettability modifiers of rocks such as limestone, dolomite, sandstone, quartz or heterogeneous lithologies, in the presence of brines with high content of divalent ions as calcium, magnesium, barium and strontium, at high temperature and high pressure conditions during the application of enhanced oil recovery processes.The zwitterionic geminal liquids based hydroxypropyl betaine of the present invention have also the property of acting as inhibitors/dispersing of asphaltenes, both at extraction and production operations of petroleum industry, thus allowing to increase the level of crude oil production. An additional advantage presented by zwitterionic geminal liquid based on hydroxypropyl betaine which can be dissolved in distilled water, brine, aliphatic hydrocarbons or other polar and nonpolar solvents.