WO-2026096086-A1 - METHOD OF IMPROVING PERFORMANCE OF RELATIVE PERMEABILITY MODIFIERS

Abstract

Relative permeability modifier (RPM) macromolecules when combined with nanoparticles are effective in modifying the permeability of subterranean reservoirs at temperatures in excess of 250 °F.

Inventors

• BESTAOUI-SPURR, NAIMA
• SINGH, Akshaya

Assignees

• BAKER HUGHES OILFIELD OPERATIONS LLC

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20250909

Priority Date

20241030

Claims (20)

1. Claims
2. 1. A method for reducing or eliminating the production of water in an oil or gas well by introducing into the well an aqueous fluid comprising:
3. (c) a relative permeability modifier (RPM) macromolecule capable of impeding the production of water; and
4. (d) nanoparticles.
5. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the following is true:
6. (a) the nanoparticles have a number average particle from about 5 to about 2,000 nm in diameter;
7. (b) the nanoparticles are derivatized with a functional group selected from the group consisting of carboxy, epoxy, ether, ketone, amine, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl, lactone, organosilicon materials, fluorinated organic acids or a reactive derivative; linear or branched alkyl organic acids or a reactive derivative, substituted alkyl organic acids or a reactive derivative, aryl or substituted aryl organic acids or a reactive derivative and mixtures thereof; or
8. (c) the relative permeability modifier (RPM) macromolecule is a crosslinked polymer based on N-substituted α, β-unsaturated carboxylic amide, a sulfonated or phosphonated vinyl monomer and optionally a copolymerizable crosslinking agent.
9. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of metal or metalloid oxides or hydroxides, metal or metalloid carbides, metal or metalloid nitrides, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, a transition metal, a lanthanide, actinide, post-transition metals, alumina and boehmite.
10. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of silica, alumina, titania, silicic acid, aluminum oxides, aluminum hydroxides, magnesium oxide, zirconium oxides, zirconium hydroxides, zirconium hydroxyoxides, tungsten oxide, iron oxide, antimony oxide, vanadium oxide, tungsten carbide, silicon carbide, boron carbide, titanium nitride, boron nitride, silicon nitride, magnesium, aluminum, iron, tin, titanium, platinum, palladium, cobalt, nickel, vanadium, chromium, manganese, zirconium, ruthenium, hafnium, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, osmium, barium titanate, strontium titanate or a combination thereof. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of fullerenes, graphenes, nanographites, nanotubes, nanodots, nanodiamonds, nanoclays, polysilsesquioxanes, nano-layered silicates, nanoclays and combinations thereof.
11. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein at least one of the following is true:
12. (a) the nanoparticles are nanographene and graphene fibers having an average largest dimension of greater than 1 pm, a second dimension of less than 1 pm, and an aspect ratio of greater than 10, where the graphene particles form an interbonded chain;
13. (b) the nanoparticles are carbon nanotubes, inorganic nanotubes, metallated nanotubes or a combination thereof; or
14. (c) the nanoparticles are aluminosilicate clays, hallyosite, bentonite, smectites, saponite, beidellite, nontrite, hectorite, allophane, illite, titanium sulfate, zirconium sulfate, exfoliated nanoclays and mixtures thereof.
15. 7. The method of claim 5, wherein the nanoparticles are nanographene and graphene fibers are two-dimensional particles having more than one layer of fused hexagonal rings.
16. 8. The method of claim 5, wherein the nanoparticles are graphene nanoparticles prepared by exfoliation of a graphite source.
17. 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles are derivatized with one or more functional groups that are hydrophilic, hydrophobic, oxophilic, lipophilic, or oleophilic.
18. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein either:
19. (a) the functional groups include (i) organosilicon materials, (ii) fluorinated organic acids or a reactive derivative; (iii) linear or branched alkyl organic acids or a reactive derivative, (iv) substituted alkyl organic acids or a reactive derivative, (v) aryl or substituted aryl organic acids or a reactive derivative as well as (vi) mixtures thereof; or
20. (b) the nanoparticles are derivatized with a moiety selected from the group consisting of organophosphoric acids, organophosphonics acid and organophosphinic acids or a derivative thereof. 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the relative permeability modifier (RPM) macromolecule is a copolymer comprising a hydrophilic monomeric unit and a first anchoring monomeric unit, wherein said first anchoring unit is based on at least one of N-vinylformamide, N, N-diallylacetamide or a mixture thereof.

Description

Method of Improving Performance of Relative Permeability Modifiers Related Applications [001] This application claims priority to United States Patent Application Serial No. 18/913,702 filed October 30, 2024 and entitled “Method of Improving Performance of Relative Permeability Modifiers,” the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. Specification Field [002] The disclosure relates to methods and compositions for modifying the permeability of subterranean formations. In particular, the disclosure relates to methods and compositions for selectively reducing the production of water from subterranean formations; the composition having a relative permeability modifier (RPM) macromolecule and one or more types of nanofillers. Background [003] The production of hydrocarbons from subterranean reservoirs is often complicated by the presence of water within the well. The source of the water may be formation water as well as injected water used for reservoir maintenance. In other instances, heterogeneities encountered in reservoir rocks can cause water channeling through higher permeability streaks/hairline fractures. Further, water coming into the production wellbore often occurs during hydrocarbon extraction. Produced water is also generally considered to be an inevitable consequence of water injection when water flooding is used to develop a hydrocarbon reservoir or when the field drive mechanism involves strong aquifer support. [004] Water production typically reduces the amount of oil and/or gas that may be ultimately recovered from a well since the water takes the place of other fluids that may flow or be lifted from the well. High water rates cause a reduction in well productivity and increase in operating expenditures. Furthermore, operating costs associated with disposal of produced water in an environmentally safe manner typically increase with the volume of produced water, thus increasing the threshold amount of hydrocarbons that must be produced in order to continue economical production of the well. Along with adversely affecting the economic return in hydrocarbon production from the well, the life of the well is also often reduced by the presence of water. Further, produced water can cause scaling issues in susceptible wells, induce fines migration or sandface failure, increase corrosion of tubulars, and sometimes even kill wells by hydrostatic loading. [005] While water production is an inevitable consequence of oil production, it is often desirable to defer its onset, or at least its rise, for as long as possible during hydrocarbon production. Varying degrees of success in the control of water and water production have been reported by the use of Relative Permeability Modifiers (RPMs), which are water-soluble, hydrophilic polymer systems which, when hydrated, produce long polymer chains that loosely occupy pore spaces in the rock. Being strongly hydrophilic, RPMs attract water and repel oil and, as a net result, exert a “drag force” on water flow in the pores with a minimal effect on oil flow. [006] U. S. Patent No. 6,228,812 Bl discloses RPM macromolecules of copolymers having hydrophilic and anchoring monomeric units for reducing water production. U. S. Patent No. 6,465,397 Bl recites a crosslinked polymer having a balance of intramolecular and intermolecular crosslinking sites as a suitable RPM macromolecule. While the use of such RPM macromolecules reduce costs by reducing water permeability without affecting oil permeability, they are not certain to impart long- lasting effectiveness nor exhibit a high degree of water flow resistance relative to oil flow, especially in high temperature wells as well as wells characterized by produced water of higher salinity. Alternative RPM systems, especially for use in higher temperature and/or saline wells, are therefore needed. [007] It should be understood that the above-described discussion is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope or subject matter of the appended claims or those of any related patent application or patent. Thus, none of the appended claims or claims of any related application or patent should be limited by the above discussion or construed to address, include or exclude each or any of the abovecited features or disadvantages merely because of the mention thereof herein. Summary [008] In an embodiment, a method for reducing or eliminating the production of water in an oil or gas well is provided by introducing into the well an aqueous fluid comprising a relative permeability modifier (RPM) macromolecule capable of impeding the production of water; and nanoparticles. [009] In another embodiment, the performance of a relative permeability (RPM) macromolecule during production of hydrocarbons from a well may be enhanced by combining one or more nanoparticles with one or more relative permeability macromolecules (RPMs). [0010] In an embodiment, the nanoparticles may be metal or m