18156956. METHODS FOR INCREASING THE HARDNESS OF SUBTERRANEAN FORMATIONS simplified abstract (KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS)
Contents
METHODS FOR INCREASING THE HARDNESS OF SUBTERRANEAN FORMATIONS
Organization Name
KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
Inventor(s)
Yevgeniy Samarkin of Cypress TX (US)
Murtada Saleh Aljawad of Katy TX (US)
Abduljamiu Olalekan Amao of Dhahran (SA)
Murtadha J. Al-tammar of Dhahran (SA)
Khalid Mohammed Alruwaili of Dhahran (SA)
METHODS FOR INCREASING THE HARDNESS OF SUBTERRANEAN FORMATIONS - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18156956 titled 'METHODS FOR INCREASING THE HARDNESS OF SUBTERRANEAN FORMATIONS
The patent application discusses methods for hardening carbonate minerals, such as chalk and limestone, to improve their mechanical integrity after stimulation processes like fracturing or acidizing in subterranean formations.
- Introducing an aqueous carrier fluid containing an ammonium phosphate salt into a formation with carbonate minerals.
- Interacting the carbonate minerals with the ammonium phosphate salt to convert them into hydroxyapatite minerals.
- Resulting in increased hardness of the subterranean formation after the conversion process.
- The use of diammonium hydrogen phosphate as the specific ammonium phosphate salt in some instances.
Potential Applications: - Enhancing the mechanical integrity of carbonate minerals in subterranean formations. - Improving the performance and longevity of stimulation processes in oil and gas extraction.
Problems Solved: - Addressing the issue of carbonate mineral softness and potential loss of mechanical integrity during stimulation activities. - Mitigating proppant embedment and asperity weakening in carbonate formations.
Benefits: - Increased durability and stability of carbonate minerals in subsurface environments. - Enhanced efficiency and effectiveness of stimulation techniques in oil and gas reservoirs.
Commercial Applications: Title: "Enhancing Mechanical Integrity of Carbonate Minerals in Subsurface Environments" This technology could be utilized in the oil and gas industry for improving the productivity and longevity of wells by strengthening carbonate formations.
Questions about the technology: 1. How does the conversion of carbonate minerals into hydroxyapatite minerals impact their mechanical properties? 2. What are the potential environmental implications of using ammonium phosphate salts in subterranean formations?
Original Abstract Submitted
Carbonates, such as chalk and limestone, are rather soft minerals and may lose at least some mechanical integrity after undergoing stimulation. For instance, carbonate minerals may experience proppant embedment or asperity weakening after fracturing or matrix acidizing. Methods for hardening a carbonate mineral may comprise: introducing an aqueous carrier fluid comprising an ammonium phosphate salt into a subterranean formation comprising a carbonate mineral, and interacting the carbonate mineral with the ammonium phosphate salt to convert at least a portion of the carbonate mineral into a hydroxyapatite mineral. The subterranean formation may exhibit an increased hardness after forming the hydroxyapatite mineral. The ammonium phosphate salt may be diammonium hydrogen phosphate in some examples.
