EP3052579A1

EP3052579A1 - Block polymers for fluid loss control

Info

Publication number: EP3052579A1
Application number: EP14780519.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Arnaud Cadix; David James Wilson
Original assignee: Rhodia Operations SAS
Current assignee: Rhodia Operations SAS
Priority date: 2013-10-04
Filing date: 2014-10-03
Publication date: 2016-08-10
Also published as: CN116789917A; CA2924260A1; AU2014331058B2; US20160214896A1; WO2015049378A1; AU2014331058A1; FR3011555A1; CA2924260C; EP3770231A1; CN106414657A; US11168026B2

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of a block polymer as fluid loss control agent in a fluid injected under pressure into an oil-bearing rock, where: the fluid comprises solid particles and/or is brought into contact with solid particles within the oil-bearing rock following the injection thereof, the polymer comprises: - a first block which is absorbed onto at least one portion of the particles; and - a second block, having a composition different from that of the first, and having a weight-average molecular mass of greater than 10 000 g/mol, for example greater than 100 000 g/mol, and that is soluble in the fluid.

Description

Sequenced polymers for filtrate control

The present invention relates to the field of petroleum extraction. More specifically, it relates to agents providing a control effect of the filtrate in fluids injected under pressure in underground formations.

In the field of petroleum extraction, many stages are conducted by injecting fluids under pressure into underground formations. In the present description, the notion of "underground formation" is understood in its broadest sense and includes both a rock containing hydrocarbons, especially oil, that the different layers of rock crossed to access this oil rock and ensure the extraction of hydrocarbons. For the purposes of the present description, the term "rock" is used to designate any type of material constituting a solid subterranean formation, whether the material constituting it is a rock or not, strictly speaking. Thus, in particular, the term "oil rock" is used here as a synonym for "oil reservoir" and refers to any underground formation containing hydrocarbons, especially oil, whatever the nature of the material containing these hydrocarbons (rock or sand by example).

Among the fluids injected under pressure in subterranean formations, mention may be made of the various fluids for completing and reconditioning wells, in particular drilling fluids, whether they are used to access the oil rock or to drill the reservoir itself. the same is true ("drill in") or the fracturing fluids, or even the completion fluids, the fluids of control or reconditioning ("workover fluids") or the ring fluids or fluids of "packer".

A specific case is that of petroleum cement grouts, which are used for the cementation of the annulus of the oil wells according to a method well known per se, described for example in Le Forage by JP Nguyen (Technip 1993). These oil cement grouts are injected under pressure into the interior of a metal casing (casing) introduced into the borehole of the oil wells and then rise, under the effect of pressure by the so-called "annular" space ( "Annulus") located between the casing and the borehole then take and harden in this ring, thus ensuring the stability of the well being drilled. In a petroleum extraction well, the contact between the pressurized fluid and the underground formation (which usually has a greater or lesser porosity, or even cracks) induces a so-called "fluid loss" effect. Also known as "filtrate" (a phenomenon referred to as "fluid loss"): the fluid present in the fluid tends to penetrate into the constituent rock of the subterranean formation, which can damage the well or even harm to his integrity. When these fluids used under pressure contain insoluble compounds (which is very often the case, especially for petroleum cement grouts or drilling or fracturing fluids comprising polymers), the effect of loss of fluid induced in parallel a concentration of the fluid, which can lead to an increase in viscosity affecting the mobility of the fluid.

In the particular case of a cement slurry, the loss of fluid may further induce a quick setting of the cement, before the annular space is cemented, which can, among other things, weaken the structure of the well and impair its seal.

For more details on the effect of fluid loss and its effects in cementing, one can refer to Well Cementing, E. B. Nelson (Elsevier, 1990).

In order to inhibit the phenomenon of loss of fluid, a number of additives have been described which make it possible to limit (see to totally prevent in certain cases) the leakage of the liquid present in the fluid towards the rock with which it to be in contact. These additives, called "filtrate control agents" (or "fluid loss control agents" in English), generally make it possible to obtain, in parallel, a control effect on the migration of gases, namely an isolation of the fluid vis- with respect to the gases contained in the rock (gas which should be prevented from entering the fluid especially in the case of cement grout, these gases tend to weaken the cement during setting.

Various agents for controlling the filtrate of the aforementioned type have been proposed, which notably include cellulose derivatives (for example, hydroxyethylcellulose) or else AMPS-based copolymers such as those described, for example, in US 4,632,186 or US 4,515,635. These additives are not always fully adapted to ensure, in practice, effective limitation of fluid loss. In particular, and this is particularly the case in the field of petroleum cement grouts, the presence of other additives can inhibit the effect of agents used to ensure control of the filtrate. In particular, in the presence of certain dispersing agents or setting retarding agents, the above filtrate control agents generally see their properties degrade. An object of the present invention is to provide novel filtrate control agents for pressurized fluids in subterranean formations, which are well suited in practice.

For this purpose, the present invention proposes the use of particular copolymers, which are capable of ensuring a control effect of the filtrate when they are used with particles with which they associate, these particles possibly being particles present in the within the underground formation; and / or cement particles in the case of a fluid used in cementing; and / or particles injected into subterranean formations with the copolymers. More specifically, according to a first aspect, the subject of the present invention is the use, as control agent, of the filtrate in a fluid (F) injected under pressure into an underground formation

wherein said fluid (F) comprises solid particles (p) and / or is contacted with solid particles (p) within the subterranean formation following its injection,

a block polymer (P) comprising:

a first block (A), also hereinafter referred to as "short block", of weight average molecular weight, typically less than 30,000 g / mol, which is adsorbed, preferably irreversibly, on at least a portion of the particles ( p); and

a second block (B), also hereinafter referred to as "long block", of composition distinct from that of said first block and of weight average molecular mass greater than

10,000 g / mol, for example greater than 100,000 g / mol, and soluble in the fluid (F).

The specific polymer used in the context of the present invention, by the presence of the two specific blocks (A) and (B) is found to provide a particularly effective control effect of the fluid: the presence of the block (A) ensures anchoring of the polymer on the particles, and the presence of the long block (B), of high and soluble size, schematically ensures a local increase effect of the viscosity of the fluid (F) around the particles.

Thus, on the surface of the particles (p), the formation of a polymer layer based on the long blocks (B) anchored on the particles using the blocks (A), the particle / polymer association thus produced forming a kind of "plug" of sufficient size at the level of the porosities of the rock, which makes it possible to limit or even totally block the phenomenon of filtrate.

It should be noted that the use of polymers based on long blocks (B) alone would not ensure control of the filtrate according to the invention, which requires anchoring the long blocks (B) on the particles (p) via the short blocks (A), as illustrated in the examples given at the end of the present description.

In particular, for this anchoring to be as effective as possible, it is preferable that the interaction between the short block (A) and the particles (p) is as strong as possible and, advantageously, that this interaction is irreversible. Preferably, the short block (A) of a polymer (P) useful according to the invention comprises:

At least one chemical group forming at least one bond of ionic, covalent or iono-covalent type between the polymer and the particle; and or

A plurality of chemical groups each forming at least one hydrogen and / or Van der Waals bond between the polymer and the particle, all of these bonds together forming a global binding of force at least in the range of that of an ionic type bond; , covalent, iono-covalent.

The strong interactions between particles and polymers also make it possible, if necessary, to use the polymer (P) in the presence of additives which usually impair the effectiveness of the filtrate control agents. In particular, the polymers (P) as employed according to the invention can be used in most fluid formulations intended to be injected into petroleum rocks, in particular petroleum cement slurries comprising dispersant-type additives or retardant agents as well as in drilling and fracturing fluids.

According to a first variant of the invention, the fluid (F) injected comprises the polymer (P) but does not comprise solid particles (p), and it encounters said particles (p) within the subterranean formation following its injection . The association between particles and polymers is then in situ. Such a fluid may for example be injected during a drilling operation, and rock cuttings formed during drilling then act as particles (p) in situ. According to an alternative variant, the injected fluid (F) comprises, before the injection, at least a part, and in general all, of the particles (p) associated with the polymer (P), it being understood that it may possibly meet other particles (p) within the subterranean formation. Two modes can be envisaged in this context:

mode 1: the polymer (P) and the particles (p) are mixed during the formulation of the fluid (F), at the place of operation or upstream, typically by adding the particles (p), to the dry state or optionally in the dispersed state, to a composition comprising the polymer (P) in solution. According to this variant, the fluid (F) may for example be a petroleum cement slurry, which is prepared by adding cement powder as particles (p) in an aqueous composition comprising the polymer (P) in solution .

mode 2: the fluid (F) is manufactured, advantageously at the place of operation, from a composition (premix) prepared upstream (hereinafter referred to as "blend") comprising the polymer (P) and at least a portion of the particles (p), generally in a dispersing liquid. To form the fluid (F), this blend is mixed with the other constituents of the fluid (F).

In the context of these modes 1 and 2, the polymer (P) incidentally has the non-negligible advantage of improving the dispersibility and suspension of the particles (p). In some embodiments, the polymer (P) associated with the particles (p) can be used primarily as dispersant and stabilizer of the dispersion of the particles (p), while at the same time ensuring a carrier effect. filtrate control.

According to another aspect, the subject of the present invention is certain particular block polymers which can be used according to the invention, which have been developed by the inventors specifically for this application.

The invention also relates to the fluids for injection under pressure in a petroleum rock or a wellbore comprising these specific block polymers, as well as blends for the preparation of these fluids comprising these polymers in combination with particles (p). Various advantages and particular embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail. Fluid (F) and long block (B)

By "fluid" is meant, within the meaning of the description any medium, homogeneous or not, comprising a liquid or viscous carrier optionally carrying a dispersed phase, liquid or gelled, and / or solid particles, said medium being generally pumpable by means pressurized injection devices used in the application under consideration.

By "liquid or viscous vector" of the fluid (F) is meant the fluid itself; or the solvent in the case where the fluid comprises dissolved compounds and / or the continuous phase in the case where the fluid contains dispersed elements (droplets of liquid or gelled dispersed phase, solid particles, etc.).

The nature of the fluid (F) and the long block (B) of the polymers (P) used according to the present invention can vary to a large extent, subject to the compatibility of the liquid or viscous fluid medium (F) and the block long (B). In particular, a long block (B) of hydrophilic nature is used when the liquid or viscous vector present in the fluid (F) is hydrophilic in nature; conversely, when the liquid or viscous fluid vector (F) is hydrophobic, a long block (B) of hydrophobic nature is used.

The long block (B) of the polymers useful according to the invention is specifically soluble in the fluid (F). By this is meant that the long block (B) taken alone can be dissolved in the liquid or viscous fluid vector (F). Preferably, the long block (B) is soluble at 25 ° C. and 1% by weight in the liquid or viscous fluid medium (F). The concept of "solubility at 25 ° C" implies only that a more or less viscous or gelled solution can be obtained which, at 25 ° C., does not lead to precipitation. This notion does not exclude that the dissolution of the block (B) may involve preheating above 25 ° C to obtain this solution. In other words, the concept of "solubility at 25 ° C" implies the possibility of forming a solution that does not precipitate at 25 ° C, and not the possibility of forming at 25 ° C a solution that does not precipitate.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the long block (B) develops the least possible interaction, or even no interaction, with the particles (p). It is also preferable that the long block (B) of the polymers (P) useful according to the invention develops fewer interactions with the particles than the short block (A). In any case, the block (A) and the block (B) have distinct compositions. This means that:

Blocks (A) and (B) comprise distinct monomeric units; or

At least some of the monomers present on the block (A) are not present on the block (B); and / or at least some of the monomers present on the block (B) are not present on the block (A)

or

Block (A) and block (B) comprise the same monomer units, but in different proportions.

According to a well-adapted embodiment, the fluid (F) is an aqueous fluid. By "aqueous" is meant herein that the fluid comprises as a liquid or viscous carrier water, either as a sole constituent of the liquid or viscous carrier, or in combination with other water-soluble solvents. In the case of the presence of solvents other than water in the liquid or viscous fluid medium (F), the water advantageously remains the majority solvent in the liquid or viscous vector, advantageously present in a proportion of at least 50% by weight. mass, or even at least 75% by weight relative to the total mass of solvents in the liquid or viscous carrier. When the fluid (F) is an aqueous fluid, the block (B) is advantageously a block of hydrophilic nature. By "block of hydrophilic nature" is meant here a polymer block which, in the isolated state, is soluble in pure water at a rate of 1% by weight at 25 ° C. (the dissolution may possibly involve heating ), forming a more or less viscous solution, even gelled, but without precipitate formation at 25 ° C. Advantageously, the hydrophilic block (B) used when the fluid (F) is an aqueous fluid is constituted at least predominantly by monomer units selected from the group consisting of the monomer units U 1 to U 5 defined below, and the mixtures of these monomeric units: monomeric units U1: monomeric units comprising an acrylamide functional group, especially dimethylacrylamide (DMA) or even (meth) acrylamide, morpholine N-oxide acrylamide, diacetone acrylamide; the block (B) advantageously comprises monomer units of this type monomer units U2: monomeric units comprising a sulphonic acid or sulphonate functional group, including in particular 3-sulphopropyl (meth) acrylate units, 2-propene-1-sulphonic acid, Sodium 1-allyloxy-2-hydroxypropyl sulphonate (COPS1), especially 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulphonic acid (AMPS), (meth) allyl sulphonate, sodium vinyl sulphonate, sodium styrene sulphonate, 3-sulphopropyldimethyl-3 methacrylamidopropylammonium, N- (2-methacryloyloxyethyl) -N, N-dimethyl-N- (3-sulfopropyl) ammoniumbetaine, N- (2-1- (3-sulfopropyl) -2-vinylpyridiniumbetaine, U3 monomer units: neutral monomer units including inter alia: [alpha], [beta] -ethylenically unsaturated mono- or di-carboxylic acid esters with C2-C30 alkanediols or polyethylene glycol, for example 2-hydroxyethylacrylate, 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate, 2-hydroxyethylethacrylate te, 2-hydroxypropylacrylate, 2-hydroxypropylmethacrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 3-hydroxypropylmethacrylate, 3-hydroxybutylacrylate, 3-hydroxybutylmethacrylate, 4-hydroxybutylacrylate, 4-hydroxybutylmethacrylate, 6-hydroxyhexylacrylate, 6-hydroxyhexylmethacrylate, 3-hydroxy-2 ethylhexyl acrylate, 3-hydroxy-2-ethylhexylmethacrylate, N- (hydroxymethyl) acrylamide, N- (2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide, N-hydroxyethylacrylamide, N- [tris (hydroxymethyl) methacrylamide, 4-acryloylmorpholine, 2-N- morpholinoethyl methacrylate, polyethylene glycol meth (acrylate), diethylene glycol (meth) acrylate, ethylene glycol methyl ether (meth) acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate, poly (propylene glycol) acrylate, acrylate chloroethyl,

tetrahydrofurfuryl acrylate, vinyl acetamide, vinyl pyrrolidone, N-vinylpiperidone, N-vinyl caprolactam, N-vinyl-5-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-vinyl-5-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-vinyl-6 -methyl-2-piperidone, N-vinyl-6-ethyl-2-piperidone, N-vinyl-7-methyl-2-caprolactam, N-vinyl-7-ethyl-2-caprolactam. monomer units U4: monomer units carrying ammonium groups, especially esters of mono- or dicarboxylic acids [alpha], [beta] -ethylenically unsaturated with amino alcohols, such as N, N-dimethylaminomethyl (meth) acrylate, N N, N-dimethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, N, N-diethylaminoethyl acrylate, N, N-dimethylaminopropyl (meth) acrylate, N, N-diethylaminopropyl (meth) acrylate and N, N-dimethylaminocyclohexyl (meth) acrylate;

amides of [alpha], [beta] -ethylenically unsaturated mono- or di-carboxylic acids with diamines having at least one primary or secondary amine group, such as N- [2- (dimethylamino) ethyl] acrylamide, N [ 2- (dimethylamino) ethyl] methacrylamide, N- [3- (dimethylamino) propyl] acrylamide, N- [3- (dimethylamino) propyl] methacrylamide, N- [4- (dimethylamino) butyl] acrylamide, N- [4] [N- [2- (diethylamino) ethyl] acrylamide, N- [4- (dimethylamino) cyclohexyl] acrylamide, N- [4- (dimethylamino) cyclohexyl] methacrylamide

Ν, Ν-diallylamines and N, N-diallyl-N-alkylamines including especially 3-sulfopropyldimethyl-3-methacrylamidopropylammonium, N- (2-methacryloyloxyethyl) -N, N-dimethyl-N- (3-sulfopropyl) ammoniumbetaine, N- (2-1- (3-sulfo-propyl) -2-vinylpyridinium-betaine, and N- (2-1- (3-sulfopropyl) -4-vinylpyridinium betaine monomer units U5 monomeric acrylate units, bearing COOH or COO- , including in particular acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, [alpha] -chloroacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, glutaconic acid, aconitic acid, fumaric acid, monoethylenically unsaturated C4-C10 and preferably C4-C6 dicarboxylic acid monoesters, such as monomethyl maleate. possible embodiment, the block (B) of hydrophilic nature used when the fluid (F) is an aqueous fluid consists essentially or even exc monomeric units of the above-mentioned type, in which, in the abovementioned units, the acid groups may be wholly or partly in the form of a free acid and / or in the form of a salt for example of potassium, sodium or ammonium (form neutralized). As used herein, the term "polymer or polymer block consisting at least predominantly of monomeric units" refers to a (block) homopolymer or copolymer resulting from the polymerization of a monomer mixture including monomers x, this (block) homopolymer or copolymer comprising less than 25 mol%, preferably less than 15% and even more preferably less than 10 mol% of monomer units other than the 'x' units.

The expression "polymer or polymer block consisting essentially of monomer units 'x'" for its part means, within the meaning of the present description, a (block) homopolymer or copolymer consisting at least predominantly of monomer units 'x' of the type above, more specifically comprising less than 5 mol%, preferably less than 2% and even more preferably less than 1 mol% of monomer units other than 'x' units.

According to a particular embodiment, compatible with the preceding modes, the hydrophilic block (B) used when the fluid (F) is an aqueous fluid may comprise hydrophobic monomers in small proportions, typically at least 0, 05%, including at least 0.1%, or at least 0.5%, where applicable; this content of hydrophobic monomers preferably remains below 10%, for example less than 5%, especially less than 3%, or even 2%, these percentages being expressed by weight relative to the total mass of monomer units in the block (B). When hydrophobic monomers of this type are present, they can typically (but not exclusively) be selected from alkyl acrylates (such as methyl acrylate); styrene; alkyl methacrylates; and / or vinyl acetate.

The long block (B) present in the polymers employed according to the present invention also has a sufficiently high mass to ensure the control effect of the desired filtrate. For this purpose, the block (B) typically has a weight average molecular weight greater than 100,000 g / mol, preferably greater than 150,000 g / mol, for example greater than 200,000 g / mol, especially greater than 250,000 g / mol. g / mol, especially when the block (B) is of one of the aforementioned types. In practice, this weight average molecular weight is most often less than 3,000,000 g / mol (and typically between 150,000 and 2,000,000 g / mol), but higher masses can be envisaged in absolute terms, except in the particular case of a fluid (F) used in the context of a cementing operation, where it is preferable that the mass The weight average molecular weight of the long block (B) remains less than 1,000,000 g / mol, and advantageously less than 800,000 g / mol.

In the context of the present invention, it has moreover been demonstrated that, surprisingly, the control effect of the desired filtrate is obtained for blocks (B) having a weight average molecular weight of less than 100 000 g / mol. Thus, according to a particular embodiment, the block (B) has a weight average molecular weight of between 10,000 and 100,000 g / mol, preferably at least 20,000 g / mol, for example from less than 25,000 g / mol, this weight average molecular weight typically being less than 90,000, for example less than 75,000, or even less than 50,000.

An estimate of the weight average molecular weight of the long block (B) can be measured by steric exclusion chromatography and mass measurement using external calibration with relative ethylene oxide (CES) standards, which leads to a slightly increased value of the weight average molecular weight designated in the present description by Mw (relative CES).

This Mw (relative CES) is typically measured under the following conditions:

Mobile phase: Mixture of 80% by weight of deionized water supplemented with 0.1 M NaNO 3 and 20% by weight of acetonitrile.

Flow rate: 1 ml / min Columns: Shodex OHpak SB 806 MHQ (3 columns of 30 cm)

Detection: Refractive index (Agilent concentration detector)

Sample concentration: about 0.5% by mass of dry matter in the mobile phase

Injection: 100 ul

Internal reference: ethylene glycol

Calibration: PEO ethylene oxide The Mw (relative CES) of the long block (B) of the polymers (P) which are useful according to the invention is generally greater than or equal to 125 000 g / mol, preferably greater than or equal to 150 000 g / mol, this Mw (CES relative) being typically between 200,000 and 2,500,000 g / mol, especially between 250,000 and 2,000,000 g / mol. According to a more particular embodiment, it may be less than 125,000 g / mol, for example between 12,500 and 100,000 g / mol.

In the case of a fluid (F) used in the context of a cementing operation, the Mw (relative CES) of the long block (B) of the polymers (P) and typically (but not exclusively) between 25,000 and 900 000 g / mol, for example between 250,000 and 900,000 g / mol.

In practice, the Mw (relative CES) of the polymer (P) is measured, which, because of the low mass of the block (A) also represents a fairly good approximation, increased, of the mass average molecular weight of the block (B). ). The Mw (relative CES) of the polymer (P) is in general greater than or equal to 15,000 g / mol, and for example greater than or equal to 150,000 g / mol, preferably greater than or equal to 200,000 g / mol, example greater than or equal to 300,000 g / mol, in particular greater than or equal to 400,000 g / mol, this Mw (relative CES) of the polymer (P) being typically between 200,000 g / mol and 2,500,000 g / mol, in particular between 250,000 g / mol and 2,000,000 g / mol. It is more particularly between 25,000 and 900,000 g / mol, for example between 250,000 g / mol and 800,000 g / mol in the case of a fluid (F) used in the context of a cementing operation.

In the particular case where the fluid (F) is used in a cementing operation

(petroleum cement grout, typically):

The block (B) is advantageously a block of hydrophilic nature, preferably comprising U1 units of the aforementioned type, in particular dimethylacrylamide DMA units, possibly, but not necessarily, in combination with U2 units, in particular acrylamidomethylpropanesulphonic acid units (AMPS) ), optionally wholly or partly in sulphonate form, for example in the form of its sodium salt.

According to a particular embodiment, the block (B) consists at least predominantly (for example essentially, or exclusively) of a mixture of DMA and AMPS units, with a DMA AMPS molar ratio, for example between 60/40 and 90/10, especially between 75/25 and 85/15 and typically of the order of 80/20.

Block (B) typically has a weight average molecular weight of between 150,000 and 750,000 g / mol, preferably between 200,000 and 700,000 g / mol. Alternatively, the block (B) may have a weight average molecular weight of between 15,000 and 150,000 g / mol, preferably between 20,000 and 100,000 g / mol.

The block (B) typically has a Mw (relative GPC) of between 200,000 and 800,000, preferably between 250,000 and 900,000 g / mol, for example 300,000 to 600,000 g / mol, the polymer (P) having in general a Mw (relative CES) included in these ranges. The block (B) may alternatively have a Mw (relative GPC) of between 20,000 and 200,000, preferably between 25,000 and 180,000 g / mol, for example 30,000 and 150,000 g / mol, the polymer (P) having in general a Mw (relative CES) included in these ranges.

The long block (B) used when the fluid (F) is a petroleum cement slurry is typically a DMA / AMPS statistical block, with a DMA / AMPS molar ratio between 75/25 and 85/15 (typically of the order of 80/20), and a Mw (GPC-MALS) of between 20,000 and 7,500,000, in particular between 200,000 and 750,000, for example between 400,000 and 600,000.

The particles (p) and the short block (A)

The notion of "particle" in the sense in which it is used in the present description is not confined to that of individualized particles. It refers more generally to solid entities dispersible within a fluid, in the form of objects (individual particles, aggregates, etc.) whose dimensions are less than 5 mm, preferably 2 mm, for example less than 1 mm.

The nature of the particles (p) and the short block (A) of the polymers (P) used according to the present invention can vary to a large extent, provided that the block (A) interacts with the particles (p) and leads to an immobilization, preferably irreversible, of polymer (P) on the surface of the particles (p).

To do this, the block (A) generally comprises monomer units carrying groups developing with the particles (p) stronger interactions than the long block (B).

According to a well-adapted embodiment, the particles (p) are mineral particles introduced into the fluid (F) or with which the fluid (F) comes into contact following its injection. These particles (p) are then typically particles of cement, calcium carbonate, clay, barite, silica, sand or carbon black. According to this embodiment, the block (A) is preferably constituted at least predominantly (and preferably essentially, if not exclusively) by monomer units chosen from the preferential groups defined below, to be adapted case by case as a function of the nature of the particles (p). :

For particles (p) of calcium carbonate or cement: the block (A) may in particular consist at least in the majority (and preferably essentially or exclusively) of:

^■ monomer units U5 of the aforementioned type advantageously present in the block (A); and or

^■ monomer units U3 of the aforementioned type; and or ^■ carrier U6 monomer units phosphate groups, phosphonate or phosphinate (in free acid form and / or salt form), such as monoacryloxyéthyle phosphate units, phosphate bis (2-methacryloxyethyl) introduced monomer units using Sipomer PAM 100, 200, 400 or 5000 available from Solvay, vinylphosphonic acid, allylphosphonic acid, isopropylphosphonic acid, diallyl aminomethylene phosphonate and their salts.

The block (B) is then typically constituted at least predominantly (and preferably substantially, or even exclusively) by units U1 and / or U2 of the aforementioned type

For particles (p) of silica or sand: the block (A) may in particular be constituted at least predominantly (and preferably substantially, if not exclusively) by:

^■ monomer units U3 of the aforementioned type; and or

^■ monomer units U4 of the aforementioned type; and or

^■ U7 of monomer units (meth) acrylate-functionalized polydimethylsiloxanes such as trimethylsiloxy PEG 4-5 methacrylate, or (3-trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate

The block (B) is then typically constituted at least predominantly (and preferably essentially, if not exclusively) by units U1 and / or U2 and / or U5 of the aforementioned type

For particles (p) of clay: the block (A) may in particular be constituted at least predominantly (and preferably substantially or exclusively) by

^■ monomer units U4 of the aforementioned type; and or

^■ U6 monomer units of the aforementioned type. The block (B) is then typically constituted at least predominantly (and preferably essentially, if not exclusively) by units U1 and / or U2 of the aforementioned type for particles (p) of carbon black, the block (A) can in particular be constituted at least predominantly (and preferably essentially or exclusively) by hydrophobic units U8, including in particular

esters of mono- or di-carboxylic acids [alpha], [beta-ethylenically unsaturated with C 1 -C 20 alcohols, for example methyl (meth) acrylate, methyl ethacrylate, ethyl (meth) acrylate, ethyl ethacrylate, n propyl (meth) acrylate, isopropyl (meth) acrylate, n-butyl (meth) acrylate, sec-butyl (meth) acrylate, tert-butyl (meth) acrylate, tert-butyl ethacrylate, n-hexyl (meth) acrylate, n-heptyl (meth) acrylate, n-octyl (meth) acrylate, 1,1,3,3-tetramethylbutyl (meth) acrylate, ethylhexyl (meth) acrylate, n-nonyl (meth) acrylate, n-decyl (meth) acrylate, n-undecyl (meth) acrylate, tridecyl (meth) acrylate, myristyl (meth) acrylate, pentadecyl (meth) acrylate, palmityl (meth) acrylate, heptadecyl (meth) acrylate, nonadecyl (meth) acrylate, arachinyl (meth) acrylate, behenyl (meth) acrylate, lignoceryl (meth) acrylate, cerotinyl (meth) acrylate, melissinyl (meth) acrylate, palmitoleoyl (meth) acrylate, oleyl (meth) acrylate, linoleyl (meth) acrylate, nolenyl (meth) acrylate, stearyl (meth) acrylate, lauryl (meth) acrylate, mono-, di or tristyryl phenyl (meth) acrylates optionally ethoxylated between the aromatic and methacrylate groups; and / or vinylaromatic monomeric units such as styrene, 2-methylstyrene, 4-methylstyrene, 2- (n-butyl) styrene, 4- (n-butyl) styrene, 4- (n-decyl) styrene fluorinated monomeric units such as perfluorinated or highly fluorinated alkyl (meth) acrylates.

The block (B) is then typically constituted at least predominantly (and preferably substantially, if not exclusively) by units of units U1 and / or U2 and / or U5 of the aforementioned type Whatever its chemical nature, the short block (A) present in the polymers employed according to the present invention has, in general, a weight average molecular weight of between 500 and 30,000 g / mol, for example between 1000 and 25,000 g. / mol and especially when the block (A) is of one of the aforementioned types. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, used when the particles (p) are particles of cement or calcium carbonate, the short block (A) is a poly (acrylic acid) homopolymer block of weight average molecular weight ranging from 1 000 to 20,000 g / mol.

The weight-average molecular mass of the short block (A) can be measured in particular by gel permeation chromatography followed by multi-angle light scattering (GPC-MALS) analysis.

Polymers (P)

Polymers useful according to the present invention are particular polymers, which comprise at least two blocks of very different size, including a block (B) of large size.

The polymers (P) are preferably prepared by controlled radical polymerization, which allows to finely control the size of the two blocks.

The controlled radical polymerization technique is a well-known technique which, using a polymerization control agent, makes it possible to obtain controlled mass polymers, in particular block polymers which can be controlled at the same time. the architecture and size of each block.

Controlled radical polymerization processes that are well suited for the synthesis of the polymers (P) that are useful according to the invention are the so-called RAFT or MADIX processes, which typically implement a reversible addition-fragmentation transfer process employing control agents (known as also reversible transfer), for example of xanthate type (compounds bearing -SC = SO- functions). By way of examples of such methods, mention may in particular be made of those described in WO96 / 30421, WO 98/01478, WO 99/35178, WO 98/58974, WO 00/75207, WO 01/42312, WO 99 / 35177, WO 99/31144, FR2794464 or WO 02/26836. These so-called "controlled radical polymerization" processes lead, in a well-known manner, to the formation of polymer chains, all of which grow substantially at the same rate, which results in a substantially linear increase in the molecular weights with the conversion and a narrow mass distribution. with a number of chains which typically remains substantially fixed throughout the duration of the reaction, which makes it possible very easily to control the average molar mass of the synthesized polymer (the initial ratio monomer / control agent defines the degree of polymerization obtained for the synthesized channels). The chains obtained moreover generally have a "living" character: they present at the end of the chain the reactive group present on the control agent. It is thus possible to continue the polymerization on the polymer chain obtained, while preserving the controlled nature of the polymerization, which can notably be used to synthesize at the end of a first polymer block of controlled size another block of different composition. and also of controlled size. In this context, the polymers (P) useful according to the invention may be polymers of the type prepared according to a process comprising the following steps:

(E1) the block (A) - or more rarely the block (B) - polymers (P) are synthesized by bringing into contact in an aqueous medium:

the ethylenically unsaturated monomers, which are identical or different, chosen for the constitution of the block (A) or block (B) -;

a source of free radicals adapted to the polymerization of said monomers; and

an agent for controlling the radical polymerization, preferably comprising a thiocarbonylthio group -S (C = S) -;

(E2) the block (B) - the block (A) - at the end of the block (A) - respectively at the end of the block (B) - formed in the step (1) is synthesized by setting contact :

the ethylenically unsaturated monomers, which are identical or different, chosen for the constitution of the block (B) or of the block (A) -;

a source of free radicals adapted to the polymerization of said monomers; and the polymer obtained at the end of step (E1), which acts as a control agent for the radical polymerization and on which the block (B) -respectively the block (A) is grafted.

In each of the steps (E1) and (E2), the size of the polymer block in formation is controlled by the monomer / control agent molar ratio corresponding to the initial quantity of monomers relative to the amount of control agent: schematically, all the chains grow from each of the present control agents and the monomers are distributed evenly over all the growing chains. The monomer / control agent molar ratio thus dictates the degree of polymerization of the block synthesized in each of the steps, and thus makes it possible to define the theoretical average molecular weight expected for each of the blocks.

Typically, the molar monomer / control agent ratios in steps (E1) and (E2) are chosen so that:

The theoretical number average molecular weight of the block (A) is between 250 and 25,000 g / mol, preferably between 500 and 15,000 g / mol, especially between 1,000 and 10,000 g / mol.

The theoretical number average molecular weight of the block (B) is between 70,000 and 5,000,000 g / mol, preferably between 80,000 and 3,000,000 g / mol, especially between 90,000 and 2,000,000 g / mol. . When the polymer is intended for a cementing operation, this theoretical number average molecular weight of the block (B) is more preferably between 90,000 and 1,000,000 g / mol, advantageously between 100,000 and 500,000 g / mol.

The block (B) can advantageously be prepared in step (E2) by bringing into contact: the ethylenically unsaturated monomers, which are identical or different, chosen for forming the block (B);

a source of free radicals adapted to the polymerization of said monomers; and

the block (A) prepared according to the above-mentioned step (E1), which acts as a control agent for the radical polymerization, preferably comprising a thiocarbonylthio-S (C = S) - group, and on which is grafted the block (B) with a monomer concentration within the reaction medium of step (E) which is sufficiently high to induce gelation of the medium if the polymerization is conducted in the absence of the control agent.

This polymerization technique allows access to blocks (B) of large size. Advantageously, the synthesis of the block (B) can be carried out under the polymerization conditions described in the application WO 2012/042167.

Alternatively, when the block (B) is hydrophilic, the block (B) can be synthesized by contacting, within an aqueous medium (M) in which the block (B) formed is not soluble:

the ethylenically unsaturated monomers, which are identical or different, chosen for the constitution of the block (B), chosen to be soluble in the aqueous medium (M)

at least one source of free radicals; and

a reactive stabilizer which comprises:

a polymer chain (CP) soluble in the medium (M)

a group (G) ensuring a living character and controlled to the radical polymerization of step (E), such as, for example, a group carrying a thiocarbonylthio group -S (C = S) -

In general, the conditions to be used in the aforementioned polymerization steps can be those typically used in controlled radical polymerizations.

In particular, it is possible to use in step (E) of the process of the invention any source of free radicals known per se. It can be for example one of the following initiators:

hydrogen peroxides such as tertiary butyl hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide, t-butyl peroxyacetate, t-butyl peroxybenzoate, t-butylperoxyoctoate, t-butylperoxynethodecanoate and t-butylperoxyisobutarate; , lauroyl peroxide, t-amylperoxypivalte, t-butylperoxypivalate, dicumyl peroxide, benzoyl peroxide, potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate, azo compounds such as: 2-2'-azobis (isobutyronitrile), 2,2'-azobis (2-butanenitrile), 4,4'-azobis (4-pentanoic acid), 1,1 ' azobis (cyclohexane-carbonitrile), 2- (t-butylazo) -2-cyanopropane, 2,2'-azobis [2-methyl-N- (1,1) -bis (hydroxymethyl) -2-hydroxyethyl] propionamide, 2,2'-azobis (2-methyl-N-hydroxyethyl) -propionamide, 2,2'-azobis (N, N'-dimethyleneisobutyramidine) dichloride, 2,2'-azobis dichloride (2 -amidinopropane), 2,2'-azobis (Ν, Ν'-dimethyleneisobutyramide), 2,2'-azobis (2-methyl-N- [1,1-bis (hydroxymethyl) -2-hydroxyethyl] propionamide) 2,2'-azobis (2-methyl-N- [1,1-bis (hydroxymethyl) ethyl] propionamide) 2,2'-azobis [2-methyl-N- (2-hydroxyethyl) propionamide] 2,2'-azobis (isobutyramide) dihydrate,

- redox systems with combinations such as:

mixtures of hydrogen peroxide, alkyl, peresters, percarbonates and the like and any of the iron salts, titanous salts, zinc formaldehyde sulfoxylate or sodium formaldehyde sulphoxylate, and reducing sugars,

persulfates, perborate or perchlorate of alkali metals or ammonium in combination with an alkali metal bisulfite, such as sodium metabisulphite, and reducing sugars, and

alkali metal persulfates in combination with an arylphosphinic acid, such as benzene phosphonic acid and the like, and reducing sugars.

In particular, in the case of polymerization carried out in an aqueous medium, it may be used a radical initiator of the redox type, which has the advantage of not requiring heating of the reaction medium (no thermal initiation), which allows better still manage the exotherm of the reaction.

Thus, the source of free radicals employed can typically be selected from redox initiators conventionally used in radical polymerization, typically not requiring heating for their thermal initiation. It is typically a mixture of at least one oxidizing agent with at least one reducing agent.

The oxidizing agent present in the redox system is preferably a water-soluble agent. This oxidizing agent may for example be chosen from peroxides, such as: hydrogen peroxide, tertiary butyl hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide, t-butyl peroxyacetate, t-butylperoxybenzoate, t -butylperoxyoctoate, the butylperoxynéodécanoate, t-butylperoxyisobutarate, lauroyl peroxide, t-amylperoxypivalte, t-butylperoxypivalate, dicumyl peroxide, benzoyl peroxide; sodium persulfate, potassium persulfate, ammonium persulfate, or even potassium bromate. The reducing agent present in the redox system is also preferably a water-soluble agent. This reducing agent can typically be selected from sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate (especially in its dihydrate form, known as Rongalit or in the form of an anhydride), ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, sulphites, bisulphites or metasulfites (in particular sulphites, bisulphites or metasulfites of alkali metals), nitrilotrispropionamides, and tertiary amines and ethanolamines (preferably water-soluble).

Possible redox systems include combinations such as:

mixtures of water-soluble persulfates with water-soluble tertiary amines,

mixtures of water-soluble bromates (alkali metal bromate, for example) with water-soluble sulphites (alkali metal sulphites, for example),

alkali metal persulfates in combination with an acid

arylphosphinic acid, such as benzene phosphonic acid and the like, and reducing sugars.

An interesting redox system includes (and preferably consists of), for example, the combination of ammonium persulfate and sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate.

In general, and particularly in the case of the use of a redox system of the ammonium persulfate / sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate type, it is preferable to that the reaction medium of step (E) is free of copper. In the case of the presence of copper, it is generally desirable to add a copper complexing agent, such as EDTA.

The nature of the control agent used in the synthesis steps of the blocks (A) and (B) can vary to a large extent.

According to an advantageous variant, the control agent used is a compound carrying a thiocarbonylthio group -S (C = S) -. According to a particular embodiment, the control agent may carry several thiocarbonylthio groups.

It may possibly be a polymer chain bearing such a group. Thus, the control agent used in step (E2) is a living polymer resulting from step (E1). It can also be envisaged that the control agent of step (E1) is derived from a previous step (E0) in which the radical polymerization of a composition comprising:

ethylenically unsaturated monomers;

a radical polymerization control agent comprising at least one thiocarbonylthio group -S (C = S) -; and

an initiator of radical polymerization (source of free radicals).

More generally, a control agent adapted to the synthesis of the polymer (P) useful according to the invention advantageously corresponds to the formula (A) below:

in which :

Z represents:

. a hydrogen atom,

. a chlorine atom,

. an optionally substituted alkyl radical, optionally substituted aryl, . an optionally substituted heterocycle,

. an optionally substituted alkylthio radical,

. an optionally substituted arylthio radical,

. an optionally substituted alkoxy radical,

. an optionally substituted aryloxy radical,

. an optionally substituted amino radical,

. an optionally substituted hydrazine radical,

. an optionally substituted alkoxycarbonyl radical,

. an optionally substituted aryloxycarbonyl radical,

. an optionally substituted carboxy, acyloxy radical,

. an optionally substituted aroyloxy radical,

. an optionally substituted carbamoyl radical,

. a cyano radical,

. a dialkyl- or diaryl-phosphonato radical,

. a dialkyl phosphinato or diaryl phosphinato radical, or

. a polymer chain,

and

Ri represents:

. an optionally substituted alkyl, acyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkene or alkyne group,

. a saturated or unsaturated aromatic ring or heterocycle, optionally substituted aromatic, or

. a polymer chain.

The groups R 1 or Z, when substituted, may be substituted with optionally substituted phenyl groups, optionally substituted aromatic groups, saturated or unsaturated carbon rings, saturated or unsaturated heterocycles, or alkyloxycarbonyl or aryloxycarbonyl groups ( -COOR), carboxy (-COOH), acyloxy (-O2CR), carbamoyl (-CONR2), cyano (-CN), alkylcarbonyl, alkylarylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, arylalkylcarbonyl, phthalimido, maleimido, succinimido, amidino, guanidimo, hydroxy (-OH ), amino (-NR2), halogen, perfluoroalkyl C _n F _2n + 1, allyl, epoxy, alkoxy (-OR), S-alkyl, S-aryl, groups having a hydrophilic or ionic character such as alkali metal salts of carboxylic acids, alkali metal salts of sulfonic acid, polyalkylene oxide chains (PEO, POP), cationic substituents (quaternary ammonium salts), R representing an alkyl or aryl group, or a polymer chain .

According to a particular embodiment, R 1 is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, preferably substituted.

The optionally substituted alkyl, acyl, aryl, aralkyl or alkyne groups generally have 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 12, and more preferably 1 to 9 carbon atoms. They can be linear or branched. They may also be substituted by oxygen atoms, in particular esters, sulfur or nitrogen atoms.

Among the alkyl radicals, mention may especially be made of the methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, isopropyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, hexyl, octyl, decyl or dodecyl radical.

The alkyne groups are radicals generally of 2 to 10 carbon atoms, they have at least one acetylenic unsaturation, such as the acetylenyl radical.

The acyl group is a radical generally having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms with a carbonyl group.

Among the aryl radicals, there may be mentioned the phenyl radical, optionally substituted in particular by a nitro or hydroxyl function.

Among the aralkyl radicals, mention may especially be made of the benzyl or phenethyl radical, optionally substituted in particular by a nitro or hydroxyl function.

When R 1 or Z is a polymer chain, this polymer chain may be derived from a radical or ionic polymerization or from a polycondensation.

In the context of the present invention, it is particularly advantageous to use as control agents xanthates, trithiocarbonates, dithiocarbamates, or dithiocarbazates.

Advantageously, compounds containing a function xanthate -S (C = S) O-, for example bearing an O-ethyl xanthate function of formula -S (C = S) OCH ₂ CH ₃ , are used as control agent. , for example 0-ethyl-S- (1-methoxycarbonylethyl) xanthate of formula (CH ₃ CH (CO ₂ CH ₃ )) S (C = S) OEt. Another possible control agent in step (E) is dibenzyltrithiocarbonate of formula PhCH ₂ S (C = S) SCH ₂ P (where Ph = phenyl).

Polymers (P) useful according to the invention generally comprise only blocks (B) and (A). These are typically diblock polymers (A) - (B), but polymers comprising more blocks are possible, in particular copolymers comprising a long block (B) on which are grafted two or more short blocks (triblock polymers of type (A) - (B) - (A) in particular), or else copolymers comprising a block spacer between the block (B) and the block (A) variants that you think are reasonable? Some of the useful polymers according to the present invention are polymers which, to the knowledge of the inventors, have never been described in the past.

These polymers include in particular block polymers containing, preferably as single blocks:

at least a first block at least predominantly (and preferably substantially, or exclusively) constituted by acrylic acid units, of weight average molecular weight between 500 and 30,000 g / mol, in particular between 1,000 and 20,000; and

a second p block (DMA / AMPS) at least predominantly (and preferably essentially, if not exclusively) constituted by a statistical mixture of DMA and AMPS units, with a DMA / AMPS molar ratio of between 60/40 and 90/10; having a molecular weight greater than 150 000 g / mol, typically between 200 000 and 2 000 000 g / mol and especially between 250 000 and 750 000 g / mol.

These polymers constitute a particular object of the present invention, as well as

petroleum cement grouts including them

aqueous fluids for injection under pressure in a petroleum rock, in particular drilling fluids and fracturing fluids, comprising them in association with mineral particles, as well as blends for the preparation of these fluids. Practical applications

The polymers useful according to the invention can be used in almost all fluids used in petroleum extraction and potentially subject to fluid loss. According to a particular embodiment of the invention the fluid (F) is a petroleum cement slurry, which comprises the polymer (P) as an additive. In this case, the polymer (P), associated with the particles present in cement, provides the control effect of the filtrate during cementation.

According to another embodiment, the fluid (F) is a drilling fluid or a fracturing fluid, which comprises the polymer (P) associated with particles (p). The particles (p) are then most often introduced together with the polymer in the fluid (F) before the injection of the fluid. The polymer then generally ensures a stabilization of the dispersion of the particles in the fluid (F), while maintaining in suspension in the fluid at least a portion of the particles (p). The concentrations of polymer and particles to be employed in these different fluids are to be adapted case by case according to the intended application and the desired rheology.

Various aspects and advantages of the invention will be further illustrated by the following examples in which polymers have been prepared according to the process of the invention.

Example 1

Synthesis of diblock copolymers

poly (acrylic acid) -b-poly (N, N-dimethylacrylamide-co-AMPS) 1 .1: Synthesis of acrylic polyfacid blocks) living with terminaision xanthate

(short block A1 to A4)

In a 250 ml flask at room temperature, 30 g of acrylic acid were introduced into an aqueous solvent (ie 70 g of distilled water for A1-A3 blocks - a mixture of 35 g of distilled water and 28 g of ethanol for the A4 block), and 0-ethyl-S- (1-methoxycarbonylethyl) xanthate of formula (CH ₃ CH (CO ₂ CH ₃ )) S (C = S) OEt (in the amounts given in Table 1 below, where is also indicated the value of the expected molecular weight theoretical number (M _n , th) calculated by the ratio of the amount of monomer to the amount of xanthate) and 312 mg of 2 2'-Azobis (2-methylpropionamidine) hydrochloride. The mixture was degassed by bubbling nitrogen for 20 minutes.

The flask was then placed in an oil bath thermostated at 60 ° C, and the reaction medium was stirred for 4 hours at 60 ° C.

At the end of these four hours, the conversion was determined by ¹ H NMR.

An analysis in steric exclusion chromatography in a mixture of water and acetonitrile (80/20) additive NaN0 ₃ (0.1 N) with a detector MALLS eighteen angles and provides molar mass values weight average (M _w ) and polymolecularity index (M _w / M _n ) reported in Table 1 below.

Table 1: Blocks A1-A4

Block M _n th th Xanthate Conversion M _w M _w / M _n synthesized (g) ( ¹ H NMR) (g / mol)

A1 10000 0.624 99.5% 22000 1 .8

A2 5000 1 .25 99.7% 10000 1 .7

A3 2500 2.50 99.6% 5000 1 .7

A4 1000 6.24> 99.9% 2100 1 .8 1 .2: Synthesis of diblock copolymers from blocks A1 to A5

Polymers P1 to P17 Blocks A1 to A4 prepared as indicated in paragraph 1 .1 were used in their reaction medium obtained, without purification, with a mass of polymer m _A reported in Table 2 below. The chosen block, in its reaction mixture without purification, was introduced into a 250 ml flask at room temperature, and then NMA (N, N-dimethylacrylamide) was added (in the amounts shown in Table 2 below). an aqueous solution of AMPS at 50% by mass (25% relative to the amount of Ν, Ν-dimethylacrylamide), and distilled water, with a final solids content of approximately 20% by weight, and persulfate of ammonium in aqueous solution at 5.0% by weight.

The mixture was degassed by bubbling nitrogen for 20 minutes. To the medium of sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate was added in the form of a 1.0% by weight aqueous solution, the same mass of this solution being introduced as that of the ammonium persulfate solution (see Table 2).

The polymerization reaction was allowed to proceed without stirring for 24 hours at room temperature (20 ° C).

After 24 hours of reaction, the conversion was measured by ¹ H NMR (results in Table 3).

An analysis in steric exclusion chromatography in a mixture of water and acetonitrile (80/20 v / v) additive of NaNO ₃ (0.1 N) with a refractive index detector provides molar mass values. number average (M _n ) and polymolecularity index (M _w / M _n ) which are listed in Table 3: Table 2: polymers P1 to P17: quantities of reagents used during the synthesis

m _water : mass of distilled water added, excluding added water in other solutions

rripersuif: mass of the 5% by weight aqueous solution of ammonium persulfate added

rri _f ss: mass of the 1% by weight aqueous solution of sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate Table 3: polymers P1 to P17

Example 2 (comparative):

Synthesis of a poly (N, N-dimethylacrylamide-co-AMPS) monoblock polymer

In a 250 ml flask at room temperature, 15.3 g of N, N-dimethylacrylamide, 18 g of AMPS, 75.6 g of distilled water, 1.03 g of a 1% by weight ethanolic solution of 0-ethyl- S- (1-methoxycarbonylethyl) xanthate of formula (CH ₃ CH (CO ₂ CH ₃ )) S (C = S) OEt and 6.0 g of a 5% aqueous solution of ammonium persulfate. The mixture was degassed by bubbling nitrogen for 20 minutes. 6.0 g of a 1% by weight aqueous solution of sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate was then added. The two aqueous solutions of ammonium persulfate and sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate were degassed beforehand by bubbling with nitrogen.

The polymerization reaction was then allowed to proceed without stirring for 24 hours at room temperature (20 ° C).

At the end of the 24 hours of reaction, a conversion of 99.8% to N, N-dimethylacrylamide and 99.6% to AMPS was obtained, as determined by ¹ H NMR.

An analysis in steric exclusion chromatography in water with NaNO ₃ additive (0.1 N) with a refractive index detector gives the values of the number-average molecular weight (M _n ) and of the polymolecularity index (M _w / M _n ) following (relative to the PEO standards):

M _w = 1,070,000 g / mol

M _w / M _n = 2.8.

Example 3

Evaluation of diblock polymers in cement slurries

The diblock polymers P1 to P17 prepared in Examples 1 and the control prepared in Example 2 were used to make petroleum cement slurries having the following formulation:

City water :

Diblock polymer (20% in aqueous solution):

Dispersing agent (polymelamine sulfonate) (50% aqueous solution)

Retarding agent (calcium lignosulfonate) (48% in aqueous solution)

Organic antifoam:

Dykheroff black label cement (API Class G):

The filtrate control agent is mixed with liquid additives and tap water before incorporation of the cement. The formulation and the filtration test were carried out according to the American Petroleum Institute standard (API recommended for testing items 10B, 2nd edition April 2013).

After mixing and dispersing all the constituents of the formulation, the slurry obtained was conditioned at 88 ° C. for 20 minutes in an atmospheric consistometer (model 1250 supplied by Chandier Engineering Inc.) previously stabilized at this temperature, which allows to simulate the conditions experienced by the cement grout when descending into a well.

The filtrate control performance was determined by static filtration at 88 ° C in a 175mL double-opening cell equipped with 325meshx60mesh metal grid (supplied by OFITE Inc., reference 170-45). The performances of the polymers in the cement formulations are reported in Table 4 below:

Table 4: Performance

Polymer tested vol API (ml_)

P18 54

P17 41

P16 40

P15 45

P14 35.8

P13 37.9

P12 193

P11 1 13

P10 72

P9 66.2

P8 59

P7 70

P6 174

P5 131

P4 67

P3 62

P2 68

P1 62

Comparative Examples:

655 Polymer of Example 2

Polymer of Example 2 + Block A2

435

(composition similar to that of P8, with the

two unbound blocks)

Claims

Use as control agent of the filtrate in a fluid (F) injected under pressure into an underground formation,

a block polymer (P) comprising:

a first block (A) which adsorbs on at least a portion of the particles (p); and

a second block (B), of a composition different from that of said first block (A), having a weight average molecular weight greater than 10,000 g / mol, for example greater than 100,000 g / mol and soluble in the fluid (F ).

2. - Use according to claim 1, wherein the fluid (F) injected comprises the polymer (P) but does not comprise solid particles (p), and meets said particles (p) in the subterranean formation following its injection .

3. - Use according to claim 1, wherein the fluid (F) injected comprises before injection at least a portion of the particles (p) associated with the polymer (P), the polymer being advantageously used in this case as a dispersing agent and stabilizer of the particle dispersion (p).

4. - Use according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fluid (F) is an aqueous fluid and wherein the block (B) is a block consisting at least predominantly of monomer units selected from the group consisting of units monomers U1 to U5 defined below, and mixtures of these monomer units: monomeric units U1: monomeric units comprising an acrylamide functional group monomeric units U2: monomeric units comprising a functional group sulfonic acid or sulfonate

monomer units U3: neutral monomer units including esters of mono- or dicarboxylic acids [alpha], [beta-ethylenically unsaturated with C2-C30 alkanediols or polyethylene glycol, and acrylates of tetrahydrofurfuryl, vinyl acetamide, vinyl pyrrolidone, N-vinylpiperidone, N-vinyl caprolactam, N-vinyl-5-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-vinyl-5-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-vinyl-6-methyl- 2-piperidone, N-vinyl-6-ethyl-2-piperidone, N-vinyl-7-methyl-2-caprolactam, N-vinyl-7-ethyl-2-caprolactam.

U4 monomeric units: monomer units carrying ammonium groups, including amides of [alpha], [beta] -ethylenically unsaturated mono- or dicarboxylic acids with diamines having at least one primary or secondary amine group; Ν, Ν-diallylamines and N, N-diallyl-N-alkylamines. U5 monomeric units: acrylate monomer units, group carriers

COOH or COO ^" , the block (B) may optionally comprise hydrophobic monomers in small proportions, typically in a proportion of 0.05% to 10% by weight relative to the total mass of monomer units in the block (B).

5. Use according to one of claims 1 or 4, wherein the block (B) has a molecular weight greater than 150 000 g / mol, for example between 200 000 to 3 000 000 g / mol.

6. - Use according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the block (A) has a weight average molecular weight between 500 and 30 000 g / mol

7. - Use according to one of claims 1 to 6 wherein: - the particles (p) are particles of calcium carbonate or cement; and the block (A) consists at least predominantly of monomer units U5 (advantageously present) and / or U3 and / or U6; and

block B consists at least mainly of units U1 and / or U2; or the particles (p) are particles of silica or sand carbonate; and

the block (A) consists at least predominantly of monomer units U3 and / or U4 and / or U7; and

block B is constituted at least mainly by units U1 and / or U2 and / or U5; or

the particles (p) are clay particles; and

the block (A) consists at least predominantly of monomer units U4 and / or U6; and

block B consists at least mainly of units U1 and / or U2; or

the particles (p) are particles of carbon black; and

the block (A) consists at least predominantly of U8 hydrophobic monomer units; and

block B is constituted at least mainly by units U1 and / or U2 and / or U5; or :

the monomer units U1 to U5 are as defined in claim 4;

the monomeric units U6 are monomer units carrying phosphate, phosphonate or phosphinate groups, in free acid form and / or in saline form,

the monomeric units U7 are (meth) acrylate units functionalized with polydimethylsiloxanes

the monomeric units U8 are hydrophobic units including, in particular, esters of mono or di-carboxylic acids [alpha], [beta] -ethylenically unsaturated with C 1 -C 20 alcohols, vinylaromatic monomer units, for example styrene, and fluorinated monomer units.

8. - Use according to one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the fluid (F) is a slurry of petroleum cement, which comprises the polymer (P) as an additive.

9. - Use according to claim 8, wherein:

the block (B) comprises monomeric units U1 comprising an acrylamide functional group, especially dimethylacrylamide DMA units, and optionally units U2 comprising a sulphonic acid or sulphonate functional group, especially acrylamidomethylpropanesulphonic acid (AMPS) units;

and

the block (B) has a weight-average molecular weight of between 150,000 and 750,000 g / mol, preferably between 200,000 and 700,000 g / mol.

10. - Use according to one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the fluid (F) is a drilling fluid or a fracturing fluid, which comprises the polymer (P) associated with particles

(P) -

1 1. Use according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the polymer (P) is a polymer prepared by controlled radical polymerization.

12. Suitable polymer as filtrate control additive which comprises:

at least one first block pAA at least predominantly constituted by acrylic acid units, of weight average molecular weight between 500 and 30,000 g / mol;

and

a second p block (DMA AMPS) at least consisting of a statistical mixture of DMA and AMPS units, with a DMA / AMPS molar ratio of between 60/40 and 90/10, and a molecular weight greater than 100,000 g / mol12. Polymer according to claim 11, which is a diblock polymer comprising only the pAA and p (DMA / AMPS) blocks.

13. A petroleum cement grout comprising a polymer according to claim 12.

14. Aqueous fluid for injection under pressure in a petroleum rock, particularly drilling fluid or fracturing fluid, comprising mineral particles associated with a polymer according to claim 12.

Mixture for the preparation of a fluid according to claim 14, comprising a mixture of mineral particles and a polymer according to claim

12.