A high-pressure, low-viscosity CO2 solution incorporating polyfluoroacrylates is designed to modify surface properties of porous geological formations and wellbore cements. Prepared at pressures above the polymer’s cloud point, the solution allows PFA molecules to selectively adsorb onto rock and cement surfaces, thereby altering wettability and reducing permeability. This targeted approach seals microcracks in cement and diverts fluids away from high-permeability thief zones towards oil-rich areas, optimizing flow control. The formulation’s low viscosity ensures effective penetration into minute pores, with its synthesis via radical polymerization and precise viscosity measurements confirming its robustness in subsurface environments.
Description
What differentiates this technology is its dual capability in both enhanced oil recovery and wellbore cement sealing. The method utilizes a CO2-soluble, multiphobic polymer that improves environmental compatibility while delivering precise conformance control. Its capacity to form a single-phase, transparent solution under challenging subsurface conditions marks a significant departure from traditional water-based systems. This innovation not only improves oil recovery efficiency by mitigating fluid diversion but also ensures long-term integrity of the cement sheath, making it a versatile solution in modern subsurface operations.
Applications
- Enhanced oil recovery
- Thief zone permeability control
- Wellbore cement sealing
Advantages
- Enhanced oil recovery by selectively reducing permeability in high-permeability thief zones, directing CO2 into oil-rich areas.
- Improved sealing of wellbore cement by penetrating and sealing microcracks and micro-annuli.
- Novel CO2-based conformance control that offers environmental advantages over traditional water-based agents.
- Innovative synthesis and viscosity control methods ensure efficient penetration into porous media under high-pressure conditions.
IP Status
https://patents.google.com/patent/US10876041B2
