EP2179005A1 - Procédé pour empêcher ou réduire la perméation de particules de terre dans un puits d'hydrocarbures - Google Patents

Procédé pour empêcher ou réduire la perméation de particules de terre dans un puits d'hydrocarbures

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Publication number
EP2179005A1
EP2179005A1 EP08779016A EP08779016A EP2179005A1 EP 2179005 A1 EP2179005 A1 EP 2179005A1 EP 08779016 A EP08779016 A EP 08779016A EP 08779016 A EP08779016 A EP 08779016A EP 2179005 A1 EP2179005 A1 EP 2179005A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
urea
organism
micro
reservoir
concentration
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Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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EP08779016A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Marie-Noëlle Lise Latil-Collinet
Wilhelmus Hendrikus Van Der Zon
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Stichting Deltares
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Stichting Deltares
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Priority to EP08779016A priority Critical patent/EP2179005A1/fr
Publication of EP2179005A1 publication Critical patent/EP2179005A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
    • C09K8/58—Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids
    • C09K8/582—Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids characterised by the use of bacteria
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C12—BIOCHEMISTRY; BEER; SPIRITS; WINE; VINEGAR; MICROBIOLOGY; ENZYMOLOGY; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING
    • C12N—MICROORGANISMS OR ENZYMES; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF; PROPAGATING, PRESERVING, OR MAINTAINING MICROORGANISMS; MUTATION OR GENETIC ENGINEERING; CULTURE MEDIA
    • C12N11/00—Carrier-bound or immobilised enzymes; Carrier-bound or immobilised microbial cells; Preparation thereof
    • C12N11/14—Enzymes or microbial cells immobilised on or in an inorganic carrier

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for avoiding or reducing permeation of soil particles in a hydrocarbon well.
  • Sand permeation in hydrocarbon (oil, gas) reservoir formations that are not sufficiently consolidated is a problem that causes co-production of sand. This yields to an extra effort to remove that sand from the hydrocarbon stream and raises the production costs of the produced hydrocarbon.
  • the production of sand in a hydrocarbon well may also, ultimately, result in a local collapse of the reservoir, due to poor consolidation of the sand.
  • fluids taken from a not sufficiently consolidated well usually comprise a lot of sand. As sand generally needs to be removed prior to further transport and/or processing, the removal adds to the production costs.
  • a conventional method to reduce permeation of soil particles (grains) in a subsurface formation is the use of a chemical such as a silicon polyhalide, e.g. as disclosed in US 4,506,732 or a epoxy-resin, e.g. as disclosed in US 4,168,257.
  • a chemical such as a silicon polyhalide, e.g. as disclosed in US 4,506,732 or a epoxy-resin, e.g. as disclosed in US 4,168,257.
  • a chemical such as a silicon polyhalide, e.g. as disclosed in US 4,506,732 or a epoxy-resin, e.g. as disclosed in US 4,168,257.
  • a non- natural consolidation agent for instance a polymer or polymerisable compound such as a epoxy resin, or a silicon polyhalide.
  • the inventors have realised that it is possible to meet one or more objects underlying the invention by forming a carbonate precipitate using a urease producing micro-organism in a hydrocarbon well in a specific way.
  • the present invention relates to a method for avoiding or reducing permeation of soil particles in a hydrocarbon reservoir, comprising applying effective amounts of (a) an urease producing micro-organism; (b) urea; and (c) optionally calcium or another ion for forming a carbonate mineral, to the reservoir and allowing the micro-organism to hydrolyse urea in the presence of a bi-valent metal ion under formation of a carbonate mineral.
  • Figure 1 shows a standard curve for the determination of ammonium concentration by the modified Nessler method.
  • Figure 2 is a graph showing the concentration of ammonium in the effluent and quantity of calcium carbonate precipitate in sand during the consolidation treatment, in an exemplary method of the invention.
  • Figure 3 is a graph showing the unconfined strength and porosity of the sand packed pre-wetted with production water and oil and consolidated with various number of batch treatment, in an exemplary method of the invention.
  • hydrocarbon reservoir is used for a geological formation comprising a recoverable hydrocarbon, in particular oil, gas or a mixture thereof.
  • hydrocarbon well is used for a hydrocarbon reservoir in a geological formation, provided with means to recover the hydrocarbon from the reservoir.
  • such means includes a bore hole via which the hydrocarbon is recovered ( a so called abstraction point).
  • the reservoir treated in accordance with the invention is a hydrocarbon well, such as an oil well or gas well.
  • the micro-organism, urea and/or cation for forming the mineral are usually applied via a bore hole, also used as an abstraction point during the recovery of the hydrocarbon.
  • a moiety ⁇ e.g. a compound, an ion, an additive etc.
  • the plural is meant to be included.
  • a specific moiety e.g. "ion”
  • a method of the invention can be employed without needing a non-natural chemical such as silicon polyhalide or epoxy or the like.
  • the consolidation of soil is well controllable.
  • the use of micro-organism allows consolidation (by mineralisation) to start, from a distance, i.e somewhat remote from the application point of the micro-organism, leaving the permeability at the application point(s) of the micro-organism - which can be the same as or near by the point(s) at which hydrocarbon is to be recovered (the bore hole(s)) - advantageously high for a good hydrocarbon recovery.
  • the risk of clogging an abstraction point for the hydrocarbon is reduced in a method of the invention compared to using a non-natural chemical, in particular a polymer or polymerisable compound, such as an epoxy resin or silicon polyhalide, or even substantially avoided.
  • WO 2006/066326 relates to a method for forming a high strength cement utilising a microbial source of urease.
  • the method comprises the step of combining in a permeable starting material effective amounts of (i) a urease producing micro-organism; (ii) urea; and (iii) calcium ions.
  • the urease present in the organism hydrolyses urea into ammonium and carbon dioxide.
  • the formation of ammonium will lead to an increase in pH, such that at least a considerable part of the carbon dioxide will will be present as carbonate.
  • Carbonate precipitates with a bivalent metal ion, for instance calcium, to form a carbonate mineral, for instance calcite, if the concentrations of calcium and carbonate are sufficiently high.
  • WO 2006/066326 may be employed to produce cement for use in applications in a variety of applications, including in civil engineering, mining, environmental applications, restoration of heritage structures and the like, architectural applications and in the manufacture of special materials.
  • a method according to WO 2006/066326 may be used to increase the strength of a permeable starting material in the oil industry.
  • the present inventors have come to the conclusion that in particular for an improved consolidation of the reservoir around a bore hole of a hydrocarbon well such permeation of sand or other soil particles during recovery of hydrocarbon (oil or gas) from the well, the method conditions should be selected carefully.
  • soil particles sand and/or other small soil- grains
  • the skilled person will be able to determine what a sufficient immobilisition is, in a particular situation, based on common general knowledge the information disclosed herein and optionally some routine testing ⁇ e.g. making use of the Thick Wall Cylinder test).
  • the geological formation should retain sufficient permeability for the hydrocarbon in order to allow efficient hydrocarbon removal from the hydrocarbon well.
  • a method of the invention may be used for consolidation in relatively shallow reservoirs, for instance in reservoirs at an (average) depth of about 400-1500 m, or of about 1000-1500 m, below the surface.
  • the inventors have realised that specific subterranean conditions may require special measures, in order to provide a favourable consolidation, especially in a deep reservoir (with a relatively high temperature and pressure), in particular in a hydrocarbon reservoir at an
  • temperature may be high, exceeding, e.g., 40 °C.
  • the temperature may be 45 °C or more.
  • the temperature may be up to 60 °C, or more.
  • the reservoir may be cooled, if desired, by applying a cooling medium (e.g. cold water (0-20 °C).
  • a cooling medium e.g. cold water (0-20 °C).
  • a method of the invention may usually suitably be employed without having to inject cold water, prior to applying the micro-organism.
  • the micro-organism may be exposed to a high pressure of, e.g., 80 bar or more.
  • the formation water in oil reservoirs may have an extremely high salinity.
  • the water may be saturated or over- saturated with salt.
  • such formation may be flushed with a physiological salt solution (e.g. surface water or ground water with e.g. ca 0.9% (m/m) NaCl) in order to reduce the salt concentration, prior to introducing the micro-organism.
  • a physiological salt solution e.g. surface water or ground water with e.g. ca 0.9% (m/m) NaCl
  • such formation may be flushed with diesel to remove part of the crude oil potentially present in the formation.
  • hydrocarbons may have an effect on the activity of one or more enzymes inside the micro-organism and/or a property of the treated formation, such as strength, porosity and/or effectiveness of the consolidation of the soil particles.
  • a method according to the present invention is in particular suitable to be used for a hydrocarbon well in a geological formation wherein one or more of such conditions exist.
  • a method of the invention may be used for a hydrocarbon well in a geological formation which comprises formation water having a salt concentration of at least 200 g/1. or at least 250 g/1 (Na + , chloride, carbonates, Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , sulphate, and other inorganic ions).
  • the salt concentration may in particular be up to about 400 g/1, up to 350 g/1 or up to 300 g/1.
  • the temperature (average between temperature at the highest point and lowest point in the region to be treated) may be more than 30 °C, in particular at least 35 °C, at least 40 °C or at least 45 °C.
  • the temperature may be up to 110 °C, more in particular up to 90 °C or up to 70 °C.
  • the pressure (average between pressure at the highest point and lowest point in the region to be treated may be more than 50 bar, at least 70 bar or at least 80 bar. Said pressure may in particular be up to 150 bar, more in particular up to 130 bar.
  • a method of the invention is particularly suitable for treating a geological formation of which the initial porosity (before applying the microorganism) is less than 35 vol. %, in particular up to 33 vol. %, more in particular up to 32 vol. % or up to 30 vol. %.
  • the porosity as used herein is the value as can be determined by a method described in "Permeability determination through NMR detection of acoustically induced fluid oscillation. Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Volume 24, Issue 9, Pages 1187-1201 W. Looyestijn, et al.”
  • the initial porosity is at least 15 vol. %
  • the initial porosity is at least 20 vol. %, or at least 24 vol. %.
  • the initial permeability of the geological formation for a 2 wt. % KCl solution in water before applying the micro-organism usually is at least 1 Darcy. Usually it is up to 5 Darcy, more in particular up to 4.0 Darcy or up to 3.5 Darcy. It is contemplated that in accordance with a method of the invention permeability may in particular be decreased by at least 10 %, at least 15 % or at least 20 %. In particular, permeability may be decreased by up to 50 % up to 40 % or up to 30 %.
  • the permeability, after formation of the mineral in accordance with the invention should usually be is at least 0.01 Darcy, in particular at least 0.1 Darcy
  • the permeability after formation of the mineral preferably is at least 0.5 Darcy, more preferably at least 1.0 Darcy.
  • a permeability of up to 5 Darcy, up to 4 Darcy or up to 3 Darcy is retained, with the proviso that in general a reduction in permeability is realised in accordance with the invention.
  • the formation wherein the hydrocarbon well is situated may be reinforced.
  • the geological formation wherein the well is present may have a strength, as determined by Dutch standard NEN-5117, of more than 5 MPa, more in particular of at least 10 MPa, or at least 15 MPa. A strength of up to 20 MPa or higher is considered feasible.
  • the inventors have in particular come to the conclusion that especially if the micro-organism is introduced into a hydrocarbon reservoir before at least one component selected from urea and calcium, the risk of formation of calcite (or another mineral) at an excessive rate is reduced or even essentially absent, whilst sand permeation is sufficiently controlled and still allowing satisfactory oil recovery from the well.
  • the micro-organisms are immobilised after they have been introduced.
  • immobilisation may be accomplished by a method wherein according to the invention comprising - forming a first zone comprising the micro-organism in the geological formation wherein the hydrocarbon well is present and allowing the first zone to move through at least part of the material; - forming a second zone comprising an effective amount of a flocculating agent to the material and allowing the second zone to move through at least part of the material, wherein the zones are allowed to move such that the zones become at least partially overlapping and at least part of the bacteria flocculate, thereby becoming immobilised.
  • the second zone is formed directly after the first zone and both zones are allowed to move in the same direction through at least part of the material.
  • the first and the second zone may be provided by first pulse- injecting a liquid comprising the micro-organism and thereafter pulse-injecting a liquid comprising the flocculation agent.
  • first pulse- injecting a liquid comprising the micro-organism and thereafter pulse-injecting a liquid comprising the flocculation agent.
  • the flocculating agent may in particular be selected from the group of divalent cations, preferably from the group consisting of nickel-, zinc-, magnesium- and calcium ions.
  • the flocculating agent also acts as a cation which forms the carbonate mineral with carbonate.
  • first and/or the second zone are moved through the material at a rate defined by a hydraulic gradient in the range of 0.1 to 2.0.
  • the urea is added after immobilisation of the micro organism, preferably with (additional) cations to form the mineral.
  • Immobilisation of the micro-organisms is in particular useful for a well-controlled distribution of the micro-organisms in a volume of the formation that is to be treated, and may further contribute to erosion control, whilst maintaining a substantial water permeability of the formation.
  • the inventors further contemplate that it is advantageous to selective treat a relatively small region around a bore hole in the well.
  • at least the micro-organism is selectively applied to a region at least partially surrounding a bore hole in the oil well.
  • Such selective application of the micro-organism may in particular be realised using an immobilisation method as described above.
  • the method of the invention may be employed to consolidate an area surrounding a bore hole, starting at distance of at least 0.2 m or at least 0.3 m from a bore hole.
  • the distance may in particular be up to 2 m, up to 1.5 m or up to 1 m.
  • consolidation may be effected in a ring- like manner around the bore hole.
  • the microorganisms are introduced in the hydrocarbon well by injecting a suspension comprising a microorganism, followed by a liquid comprising the flocculating agent which spread the cells in the material (and whereby the suspension is diluted).
  • the volume to volume ratio of the suspension comprising the micro-organism to the liquid comprising the flocculation agent may be 10:90 to 50:50, preferably 20:80 to 50:50.
  • the micro-organism, as immobilised is present in the material in a relatively low concentration.
  • applying the micro organisms in a relative low concentration will be sufficient to adequately immobilise loose grains in the formation.
  • a preferred concentration is based on the specific urease activity of the micro-organism under conditions existing at the average depth of the region to be treated in accordance with the invention (i.e. the average of the highest point and the lowest point in the region to be treated). Suitable concentrations may be based on laboratory conditions emulating these conditions and/or by extrapolation from standard laboratory conditions.
  • the micro-organism is provided at a concentration corresponding to a urea hydrolysis rate of up to 100 niM urea hydrolysed per minute (after applying the urea), at the temperature, pressure and salt concentration existing at the application point in the well.
  • the urea hydrolysis rate under said conditions is up to 50 niM urea hydrolysed per minute, in particular up to 30 or up to 25 niM urea hydrolysed per minute (average).
  • the micro-organism is applied to provide an (average) hydrolysis rate or at least 5 niM urea hydrolysed per minute, based on the temperature, pressure and salt concentration existing at the application point in the well.
  • a suitable rate may be chosen based on the following lab conditions:
  • a hydrolysis rate under laboratory conditions i.e. 18 °C, normal pressure
  • a hydrolysis rate under laboratory conditions is at least 0.2 niM urea hydrolysed per minute, (average) at least 2 mM urea hydrolysed per minute or at least 10 mM urea hydrolysed per minute (maximum), wherein the hydrolysis rate is preferably maintained at or above any of said preferred lower limits for at least 1 hour, more preferably for at least 10 hours, depending on the required strength improvement.
  • the urease producing micro-organism can in principle be any microorganism which comprises a nucleic acid sequence encoding a urease (or any other enzyme which has —possibly besides other capabilities- the capability of hydrolysing urea).
  • the organism may already contain a urease it has produced before being applied to the formation and/or it may be capable to produce a urease under the conditions existing in the formation.
  • the conditions in the geological formation are such that the micro-organism (comprising urease) is not catabolically active, or is only active at a very low level, compared to the urease conversion rate (e.g. a catabolic rate (in mol of catabolic substrate per minute), which is less than 0.1 times the rate of urea hydrolysis (in mol urea/min), in particular less than 0.01 times the rate of urea hydrolysis).
  • a degradation of urea in a method according to the invention advantageously is carried out using a micro-organism in the geological formation under conditions at which the biocementation process is favourabe, irrespective whether the micro-organism shows any substantial catabolic activity. It has surprisingly been found that under such conditions the microorganism (anaerobicity, possibly in combination with high levels of calcium and magnesium) is capable of degrading urea and that under such conditions the permeation of soil particles can be reduced or avoided, whilst maintaining substantial permeability for water, gas or and/oil in the formation.
  • a catabolically inactive micro-organism is allowed to degrade urea under formation of the carbonate mineral.
  • a specific advantage of using the micro- organism under conditions which are different from the optimal conditions of growth and other catabolic functions, is that conditions for mineral formation can be chosen under which catabolic activity is hampered, impractical or not possible, but which are particularly suitable for an improved controllability or efficiency of the mineral formation. It is a further specific advantage that the invention allows avoiding or reducing permeation of soil particles in a hydrocarbon reservoir under conditions wherein the micro-organism cannot grow, e.g. under anaerobic conditions also if the micro-organism is obligatory aerobic.
  • Conditions which are favourable for the biocementation, but under which the micro-organism's growth is reduced or under which conditions the micro-organism is not catabolically active can be anaerobic conditions for an aerobic organism. Further, reduced growth conditions or a catabolically not- active state may be have occurred by depriving the micro-organism from one or more nutrients required for growth, for instance a method of the invention may advantageously be carried out without applying nutrients in an effective concentration for sustaining metabolic activity of the micro-organism in the geological formation, or at least not to apply such nutrients together with or after applying urea .
  • a method of the invention may be carried out without the need to apply one or more nutrients selected from the group of sugars, oligosaccharides, polysaccharides, essential amino acids, peptides, vitamins and fatty acids, to the geological formation, at least not together with or after applying urea. It is noted that one or more of such nutrients may be present in a suspension of the micro-organism applied to the geological formation, usually as a remains of the culture wherein the micro-organisms has been grown prior to application to the geological information.
  • a liquid containing calcium or another counter ion for forming the carbonate mineral and urea can be used in such a high concentration that substantial catabolic activity would not be possible, whilst a substantial urea hydrolysis capacity is maintained for a sufficient duration to realise a reduction in permeation of soil particles.
  • a urease producing micro-organism As a urease producing micro-organism, a urease producing bacterium is particular suitable.
  • the bacterium may in particular be selected from the group consisting of Bacillales, more in particular Sporosarcina, more in particular Sporosarcina pasteurii.
  • the micro-organism is a mesophile, such as a Sporosarcina pasteurii, or an extremophile, in particular an thermophile having its maximum urea hydrolysis rate (1.5 M urea in demineralised water, measured for 5 minutes) at a temperature of 40 °C or more, in particular of 45 °C or more, more in particular of 50 °C or more.
  • a mesophile such as a Sporosarcina pasteurii
  • an extremophile in particular an thermophile having its maximum urea hydrolysis rate (1.5 M urea in demineralised water, measured for 5 minutes) at a temperature of 40 °C or more, in particular of 45 °C or more, more in particular of 50 °C or more.
  • Such a micro-organism is in particular useful in a method of the invention, as the (average) temperature in the well is usually more than 30 ° C, in particular at least 35 °C, at least 40 °C or at least 45 °C, e.g. up to 110°C, in particular up to 90 °C, up to 80 °C or up to 80 °C.
  • a preferred micro-organism, in particular a mesophile or thermophile used in a method of the invention is typically employed at a concentration to provide a urea hydrolysis rate at 25 °C of considerably less than 50 mM urea hydrolysed per minute (using 1.5 M urea as substrate).
  • the hydrolysis rate at 25 °C (1 bar) usually is less than 10 mM urea hydrolysed per minute, in particular less than 5 niM urea hydrolysed per minute or less than 3 niM urea hydrolysed per minute.
  • the micro-organism is usually employed at a concentration providing a relatively low hydrolysis rate, the micro-organism is usually applied in a dilute form.
  • the micro-organism may in particular be applied as a dispersion in an aqueous liquid.
  • aqueous liquids is used herein for liquids wherein water is the predominant solvent, preferably essentially the only solvent.
  • 90-100 wt.% of non-solids in the liquid more in particular 99-100wt.% of non-solids in the liquid is water.
  • the inventors have found that diluting a micro-organism culture in tap water or demineralised water may cause a fast release of urease from the micro-organism to the liquid phase. In general, this does not need to be a problem as extracellular urease substantially retains activity under conditions that are not as extreme as the conditions which may exist in a hydrocarbon well (such as high temperature, high salinity, high pressure). For instance, for extracellular urease from Sporosarcina pasteurii good activity is maintained at 20 °C. However, the inventors have acknowledged that under extreme conditions, such as at an elevated temperature, extracellular urease in tap water or demi- water looses activity relatively fast (within a few minutes at temperature above 45 °C).
  • the micro-organism is applied as a dispersion of the micro-organism in an aqueous liquid having an ionic strength of at least 0.05 M, in particular of at least 0.1 M, e.g. about 0.15 M.
  • the concentration is usually up to 0.5 M, in particular up to 0.3 M or up to 0.2 M, although it is thought that a higher concentration may be employed, especially at high salinity of the formation water.
  • a salt for providing said ionic strength in principle any salt can be used wherein the micro-organism remains sufficiently active. NaCl is particularly suitable.
  • the osmolarity of the aqueous liquid preferably is at least 150 mOsm/1, at least 200 mOsm/1 or at least 250 mOsm/1.
  • the osmolarity preferably is up to 500 mOsm/1, up to 400 mOsm/1 or up to 350 mOsm/1.
  • Urea is preferably applied in a concentration of up to 1000 niM, in particular up to 500 niM, more in particular up to 200 niM.
  • the concentration is at least 50 mM or at least 100 mM.
  • Calcium or another cation for forming the mineral is optionally added.
  • the formation water has a high salinity, more in particular if it contains sufficient calcium ions or other ions to form a carbonate mineral with the carbonate formed by hydrolysis of urea such addition may be omitted.
  • Calcium or the other cation may in principle by applied as any salt, as long as it is not unacceptably detrimental to the hydrolysis of the urea.
  • a chloride or nitrate salt may be used.
  • production water is used as a cation source for the mineral.
  • Production water is water from the geological formation (formation water) that is produced together with the hydrocarbon.
  • the cation for forming the mineral is usually added in a concentration of up to 1000 mM , in particular up to 500 mM, more in particular up to 200 mM.
  • the concentration of the cation for forming the mineral is usually at least 1 mM, in particular at least 2 mM or at least 5 mM.
  • the concentration of calcium or another cation for forming the mineral may be at least 10 mM, at least 25 mM, at least 50 mM or at least 100 mM. If added, calcium or the other cation is usually applied to provide a concentration which is about equi-molar, to the applied urea concentration.
  • the cation to form the mineral may be applied to provide concentration may be 0.5 to 2 times the urea concentration.
  • Urea and optionally calcium or another cation
  • urea and optionally calcium or another cation
  • urea is added such that less than 30 g of carbonate mineral per litre of liquid comprising urea added to the well is formed, for an efficient hydrocarbon recovery in particular, urea (and optionally calcium or another cation) may be added such that up to 21 g of carbonate mineral per litre of liquid comprising urea added to the oil well is formed.
  • urea and/or calcium or other cation may be chosen within a specific range to achieve a specific degree of consolidation of sand or other soil particles.
  • urea and/or calcium or other cation are applied at a radial flow rate in the well of at least 2.5 cm/sec, in particular at least 7.5 cm/sec.
  • the radial flow rate is preferably up to 50 cm/sec, or up to 25 cm/sec.
  • Urease is a specific enzyme which hydrolyzes urea (non-ionic species) to ammonium and carbonate (ionic species).
  • the linear change in conductivity is plotted versus time.
  • Ammonium concentration is measured with a modified Nessler metod.
  • the sample is diluted in demineralized water in order to get an concentration in the range of 0-0.5 mmol/1.
  • the columns are cut free from the PVC tube with a low velocity horizontal saw and tested for unconfined compressive strength (conforming to Dutch standard NEN-5117).
  • the experiment has been carried out in PVC columns with an inner diameter of 6.5 cm and a length of 18 cm. One centimeter at the top and at the bottom of the columns have been filled with a standard filter sand of 1 mm grain size. Between these two layers, a subrounded sand with a grain size distribution of 125-250 ⁇ m has been packed under saturation by stamping to get a maximum bulk density.
  • the columns In order to simulate an oil reservoir, the columns have been flushed with two pores volume of production water followed by two pores volume of crude oil.
  • the standard procedure before treating an oil well is to roughly clean up the sand formation with a solution of KCl and then diesel. Therefore the columns have been flushed with two pores volume of KCl 2% followed by two pores volume of diesel and finally two pores volume of KCl 2% again.
  • the columns have been flushed with one pore volume of a bacteria suspension of Sporosarcina pasteurii diluted in a solution of NaCl 0.9 g/1 in order to adjust the urease activity of the solution at 2 mS/cm/min (see protocol of urease activity measurement).
  • the columns have been flushed with one pore volume of a solution of 50 mmol/1 of calcium chloride followed by a solution of urea and calcium chloride which contained 1 mol/1 of each product. This solution has been injected through the columns for about five hours.
  • V volume of the sand packed [cm 3 ]
  • the permeability, the porosity and the UCS strength was measured after treatment.
  • the columns To immobilize the enzyme in the sand formation the columns have been flushed with one pore volume of a bacteria suspension of Sporosarcina pasteurii diluted in a solution of NaCl 0.9 g/1 in order to adjust the urease activity of the solution at 2 mS/cm/min. Immediately after, the columns have been flushed with one pore volume of a solution of 50 mmol/1 of calcium chloride following by one pore volume of a solution of urea and calcium chloride which contained 1 mol/1 of each product. The columns have been kept half an hour at 50°C under 80 bar to let the reaction take place. Ammonium concentration has been measured in order to check if all the urea had been hydrolyzed.
  • Ammonium concentration has been measured at the end of each batch treatment.
  • the permeability, the porosity and the UCS strength have been measured at the end of the whole treatment.
  • the batch treatment method is a good option to avoid sand permeation in an oil reservoir during oil production.
  • the number of batch treatment can be adjusted according the amount of consolidation needed (UCS).

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  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Bioinformatics & Cheminformatics (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Zoology (AREA)
  • Genetics & Genomics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microbiology (AREA)
  • Biotechnology (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Processing Of Solid Wastes (AREA)
  • Consolidation Of Soil By Introduction Of Solidifying Substances Into Soil (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé pour empêcher ou réduire la perméation de particules de terre dans un réservoir d'hydrocarbures. Le procédé comprend l'application (a) d'une uréase productrice d'un micro-organisme ; (b) d'urée ; et (c) éventuellement de calcium ou d'un autre ion pour former un minéral carbonate, au réservoir d'hydrocarbures et la dégradation de l'urée par le micro-organisme pour former un minéral carbonate.
EP08779016A 2007-07-11 2008-07-11 Procédé pour empêcher ou réduire la perméation de particules de terre dans un puits d'hydrocarbures Withdrawn EP2179005A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP08779016A EP2179005A1 (fr) 2007-07-11 2008-07-11 Procédé pour empêcher ou réduire la perméation de particules de terre dans un puits d'hydrocarbures

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP07112297A EP2017321A1 (fr) 2007-07-11 2007-07-11 Procédé pour éviter ou réduire la perméation de particules du sol dans un puits d'hydrocarbures
EP08779016A EP2179005A1 (fr) 2007-07-11 2008-07-11 Procédé pour empêcher ou réduire la perméation de particules de terre dans un puits d'hydrocarbures
PCT/NL2008/050468 WO2009008724A1 (fr) 2007-07-11 2008-07-11 Procédé pour empêcher ou réduire la perméation de particules de terre dans un puits d'hydrocarbures

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EP2179005A1 true EP2179005A1 (fr) 2010-04-28

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EP07112297A Withdrawn EP2017321A1 (fr) 2007-07-11 2007-07-11 Procédé pour éviter ou réduire la perméation de particules du sol dans un puits d'hydrocarbures
EP08779016A Withdrawn EP2179005A1 (fr) 2007-07-11 2008-07-11 Procédé pour empêcher ou réduire la perméation de particules de terre dans un puits d'hydrocarbures

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KR101470345B1 (ko) * 2012-11-26 2014-12-08 한국지질자원연구원 생화학적 효소 제제를 이용한 산성 토양 복원방법
GB201322756D0 (en) * 2013-12-20 2014-02-05 Maersk Olie & Gas Consolidation of proppant sand in hydraulic fractures
US10125303B2 (en) * 2015-07-31 2018-11-13 Baker Hughes, A Ge Company, Llc Compositions and methods for cementing a wellbore using microbes or enzymes
MX2019003625A (es) * 2016-09-30 2019-07-04 Baker Hughes A Ge Co Llc Precipitacion mediada biologicamente de carbonatos para usar en aplicaciones de yacimientos petroliferos.
US11535791B2 (en) * 2021-03-12 2022-12-27 Saudi Arabian Oil Company Sand consolidation by enzyme mediated calcium carbonate precipitation
JP2024081501A (ja) * 2022-12-06 2024-06-18 独立行政法人エネルギー・金属鉱物資源機構 地盤性状調整方法及びこれを用いた炭化水素回収方法

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US5143155A (en) * 1991-03-05 1992-09-01 Husky Oil Operations Ltd. Bacteriogenic mineral plugging
WO2005124100A1 (fr) * 2004-06-17 2005-12-29 Statoil Asa Traitement de puits

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EP2017321A1 (fr) 2009-01-21

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