MX2013006999A - Synthetic fluid c14-c19 (fluid based on paraffin hydro-carbides of linear chain with molecular structure of 14 and up to 19 carbons for manufacturing drilling sludge and fracturing fluids used in oil wells). - Google Patents

Abstract

Described is a fluid based on paraffin hydro-carbides, which composition is of 14 and up to 19 carbons with a maximum aromatic content of 0.3% by weight and compatible with the additives for formulating drilling sludge or fluids for fracturing oil wells, since the main characteristics thereof are a high viscosity index, high flaming temperature and a quick integration to the nature, regardless of these characteristics, the invention fulfills the aforesaid functions either for manufacturing drilling sludge or fracturing fluids. The obtention of the inventive fluid results from raw material rich in components of C14 and up to C19, which is brought to a fractioned distillation process, this operation being adjusted according to the quality and composition of the raw material for obtaining exclusively these compounds and then performing the formulation of drilling sludge or fracturing fluids.

Description

SYNTHETIC FLUID C14 - C19 (BASE FLUID COMPOSED OF PARAFFINIC LINEAR CHAIN HYDROCARBON WITH MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF 14 AND UP TO 19 CARBONS TO PREPARE DRILLING SLUDGE AND FRACTURING FLUIDS USED IN PETROLEUM WELLS) FIELD OF THE INVENTION.

The present invention relates to the field of drilling oil wells, more specifically to a fluid to make drilling muds and fracturing fluids that are used in oil wells whose main feature is to integrate into nature more quickly ie biodegradable. in comparison with other mixtures of hydrocarbons.

The main components of this fluid are hydrocarbons of open chain paraffinic origin in a range of C14 to C19 mainly, that is to say that this hydrocarbon must have a composition with a molecular structure of 14 carbons and up to 19 carbons BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.

In the state of the art drilling fluids are used that are injected into the oil wells in order to cool and lubricate the drill bit, control the pressure, carry the cuttings generated by the auger, maintain suspension cuts and solids, maintain the stability of the wall of the well and avoid landslides thereof, prevent the entry of fluids into the well. Generally drilling muds have suspended solid particles with the purpose of regulating the characteristics of sludge so that these comply adequately with the mentioned functions In the state of the art in addition to using C14 C19 paraffinic hydrocarbon base fluid for the preparation of drilling mud, solid and liquid additives are used to obtain the adequate characteristics that allow this sludge to fulfill its previously mentioned functions.

Also in the oil wells a stimulation is used which is called a fracture and in this procedure a fluid is used which transports a sand of special characteristics and this product is also possible to use it as a base for the formulation of these fluids since It has a high flash point and a special rheology for this type of operation.

The patent of the United States of America No. 7,427,583, granted on September 23, 2008, for SchuumbergerTechnology Corporation and whose inventor is IsabelleCouillet et al., Describes and protects a viscoelastic aqueous fracturing fluid for use in the recovery of hydrocarbons,! composed pj ^ h ^ i pálmente of a viscoelastic tensioactive agent and a hydrophobically modified polymer, the advantageous concentration of the polymer When hydrotized in order to exceed certain concentration levels and result in a gel structure with a [viscoelastic surface active agent concentration below the typical concentration used for the pure viscoelastic surfactant, said fluid is injected into the formations rock formations to fracture said formations and allow the flow of oil .; United States of America No. 7,399,732, issued on [July 15, 2000], for CalfracWeIÍServices, Ltd. whose inventor is Travis L. Álían V collaborators, describes and protects a fracturing fluid and improved method for hydraulic fracturing of a formation, the fluid includes a lensoactiyo agent, a salt rgá ^ acid and a low molecular weight organic solvent. Fracturing fluids generally contain polymers based on high molecular weight polysaccharides,] as gel-converting agents; the current method is based on the chemistry of the surfactant agent that does not alter the current chemical composition of the fluid, jai Key to the invention is the use of a (surfactant) phensoactivoglycinanaphoteric agent in acidic conditions exhibiting ^ pathogenic properties.

U.S. Patent No. 7,096,947, issued August 29, 2006, to Halliburton ÉñergyServTces Inc., whose inventor is Bradley L. Todd et al., Describes and protects a fracturing fluid that includes an additive for the control of loss of fluid, and the method of using said fluid in underground formations; The fluid mainly contains a viscosity controller and additives for the control of fluid loss that include a material that deforms and degrades, that is, that does not re-crystallize or reconcile inside the well.

Patents of the United States of America No. 6,929,069 respectively, for SchlumbergerTechnology Corporation, whose inventor is Jerald Níkel et al., describes and protects a fracture fluid composed mainly of amine oxides that aid in the removal of fluid from invaded areas.] U.S. Patent No. 6,838,418, issued January 4, 2005, to CalfracWeííServices, Ltd., whose inventor is Travis L Alian et al., Describes and protects a fracturing fluid that includes a polar base. with a medium molecular weight poly acrylate (0.1, 5.0%) and an activator to ionize the poly-acrylate to a hydroscopic state. As a main feature of the fracturing fluids is the variable viscosity, that is, fluids that will invariably require the addition of additives that alter the viscosity selectively. The preferred embodiment of this invention is an emulsified flux that uses carbon dioxide as the internal phase and a medium molecular weight poly-acrylate as an external phase resulting in a gel that can be easily broken by adding NaCl and KClJ salts.

U.S. Patent No. 5,591,700, issued June 7, 1997, to Halliburton Company, whose inventor is Phillip C. Harris et al., Describes and protects an aqueous fracturing fluid containing a viscosity inhibitor. which contains a surfactant and an inhibitor which is solid under environmental conditions and dissolves as the temperature in the formation increases. The viscosity inhibitor of the invention is encapsulated by a water-soluble surfactant which promotes the dispersion of the polymeric gel fragments in the fracturing fluid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a base fluid for the manufacture of sludge used to drill oil wells and operate at pressures of 140.74 to 562.96 Kg / cm2 (2000 to 8000 lb / n2) It is another object of the present invention to provide a base fluid for the preparation of oil well drilling mud compatible with the additives that are added for the preparation of these sludges.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a fluid that, regardless of whether it functions as a base fluid for the drilling mud development, also functions as a fracturing fluid, ie, it adequately conveys proppant (commonly sand with certain characteristics) that is used to prevent the closure of the fracture that is done in the well to stimulate it It is still an object of the present invention to provide a fluid that does not allow the subsoil clays to swell and thus prevents blockage of the well.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a fluid that when making fractures in oil wells, allows the fluidity of the hydrocarbon to be incorporated into the production in a span of 4 and up to 12 hours maximum.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fluid with adequate stability.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fracturing fluid with adequate rheology to operate correctly at operating temperatures and pressures during drilling and / or fracture of the well It is also another object of the present invention to provide a fluid with an ignition temperature of at least 90 ° C.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a fluid with a viscosity index of at least 100 in order that its viscosity is Keep stable to operate at pressure and temperature conditions either when drilling or fracturing oil wells.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION.

Crude oil and natural gas reside in natural porous formations on which wells are drilled. Oil and natural gas flow through the well driven by a pressure gradient that exists between the formation and the well walls; Typically, surface pumps are required to help the fluidity of the oil.

In the drilling of wells it is very important to cool and lubricate the drill bit, control the pressure, carry the cuttings generated by the drill bit, keep the cuttings and solids in suspension, maintain the stability of the well wall and avoid landslides. same as avoiding the entry of fluids into the well, which is done with the drilling mud and the mud formulation is carried out mainly with this base fluid, called SYNTHETIC FLUID C14 - C19 So also most of the wells that are fractured are made hydraulically to increase the flow, then the fracturing fluid is pumped down into the well and specifically into the formation, at a very high pressure and speed, enough to transport solid particles. called "proppant" within the fracturing fluids and are carried by them within the formation through the fractures to keep them open and that allow the flow of the fracturing fluids and the oil that these drag when washing the pores of the formation.

One consideration for selecting the fracturing fluid is the pressure inside the well, the capacity to transport and deposit large volumes of proppant inside the fractures in the formation, the power of reflux without leaving residues in the walls of said fractures and the property that allows the reformulation of the fluid on the surface to be reused.

The term fracturing fluids refers to fluids that are used for injection at high pressures within oil wells, to fracture the geological formations that surround the well and thereby increase the porosity of the well. This allows the most efficient flow of hydrocarbons and increases well productivity.

Fracking has two objectives: a) Transmit energy to the bottom of the well so that hydraulically a fracture is generated in the rock where the oil is located; b) Transport a proppant (usually sand) from the surface to the oil source to ensure the conductivity of the oil, generated by the fracture. This process involves the injection of an external fluid into the porous walls of the fracture.

The temperature of the well increases with the depth and then the viscosity of the fluid tends to decrease for this reason this fluid must have a viscosity index of not less than 100 and its temperature of inflammation of minus 90 oC which provides greater safety in fluid handling and therefore better operation.

The fluid of the present invention maintains the efficient production parameters according to international standards, since it maintains its properties of viscosity, temperature, specific weight and is also adapted to be used under pressure conditions of 2000 Lb / in2 and up to 8000 Lb / in2 or the equivalent of 1 0 Kg / cm2 and up to 562.96 Kg / cm2, The fluid of the present invention consists of the following substances: Components denominated paraffinic (open chain hydrocarbon or normal paraffin) from the group of carbons of C14 and up to C19 with a maximum aromatic content of 0.3% by weight.

Specific weight in a range of: 0.73 to 0.80 Viscosity index greater than or equal to 100 Sulfur content, with a maximum of: 1.0% by weight Flash point 90 ° C minimum Data sheet and methods ASTM with which the tests are measured The components of the final product, either drilling mud or fracture fluid, will be added in different proportions in order to obtain the specific parameters.

The composition of the fluid is compatible with additives that are added in the drilling and / or fracturing process to obtain a good performance during drilling or fracturing operations For the drilling or fracturing of oil wells, this fluid is more quickly integrated into nature, its content of aromatic components is maximum of 0.3% by weight, it carries the proppant properly, it is 100% mixed with the crude, it behaves efficiently in the fracture operation due to its rheology, does not inflate the dissolved clays coming from the subsoil, its temperature of inflammations is high (90 ° C), due to its composition it allows the fluidity of the hydrocarbon found and its viscosity is stable.

In drilling it cools and lubricates the drill bit efficiently by high viscosity index, it is an important factor to control the pressure of the well. Carry out the cuttings generated by the auger, keep the cuts and solids in suspension, maintain the stability of the wall of the well and prevents landslides thereof, Since the fluid is composed of hydrocarbons with 14 and up to 19 carbons, there is greater stability and good performance of the operation as well as being incorporated more easily into nature, that is, it is an ecological and biodegradable fluid.

The fluid of the present invention is adapted to operate at pressures of up to 8000 Lb / in2 or its equivalent of 562.96 Kg / cm2, in the temperature range of 0 ° C to 100 ° C.

The fluid of the present invention provides a base fluid for the formulation of sludge and fracture fluids compatible with the additives or additional components for the elaboration of the final product (either fluid for drilling mud or fracturing fluid) and is also friendly to the nature.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS.

1. - A fluid to be used in oil wells, either for drilling or fracturing, consisting of a mixture of hydrocarbons, chemically paraffinic, and composition of 14 and up to 19 carbons, such as: A content by weight, maximum of 0.3% by weight of aromatic hydrocarbons, A minimum viscosity index of 100 to ensure good fluid performance during the operation Flash point of 90 ° C minimum;

2 - . 2 - The fracturing fluid and / or stop drilling of oil wells, according to claim 1, further characterized in that the content of total aromatics is maximum of 0.3% weight and therefore it is easier to degrade and integrate to nature

3. - The fluid of the present invention, according to claim 1, further characterized in that it allows the hydrocarbon to become fluid and the wellbore to be cleaned in the fracture operation.

4. - The fracturing fluid and / or for drilling oil wells, according to claim 1, further characterized because it is adapted to operate with pressures of up to 8000 Lb / in2 or its equivalent of 562.96 Kg / cm2, in the range of temperatures from 0 ° C to 100 ° C.

5. - The fracturing fluid and / or for drilling oil wells, according to claim 1, further characterized because it fulfills the function of Cooling and lubricating the drill bit, controlling the pressure, Carrying the cuttings generated by the drill, Keep the cuttings and solids in suspension, Maintain the stability of the well wall, Avoid landslides thereof and Prevent the entry of fluids into the well SUMMARY. The present invention relates to a fluid based on paraffinic hydrocarbons whose composition is 14 and up to 19 carbons with maximum aromatics content of 0.3% and compatible with the additives to be formulated with this, drilling muds or fluids for fracturing wells. oil since its main characteristics are those of having a high viscosity index, high temperature of inflammation and quickly integrating into nature independently of the fact that with these characteristics it complies with the functions described both for the preparation of drilling muds and for the elaboration of fracturing fluids . The obtaining of this fluid is made with raw material rich in C14 components and up to C19 which is taken to a fractional distillation process and this operation is adjusted depending on the quality and composition of the raw material to obtain exclusively these components and Subsequently perform the formulation of sludge for drilling or fluid for fracturing.