Method for changing the wettability of rock formations
US8210263B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jul 3, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 1, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K8/584
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Single-phase microemulsions (SPMEs) and in situ-formed microemulsions in water-wetting pills may be used to reverse the wettability of subterranean rock previously drilled with an oil-based mud or synthetic-based mud before pumping a high fluid loss squeeze pill or crosslink pill or other water-based pill. This wettability reversal occurs by solubilization of the non-polar material into the microemulsion when the water-wetting pill contacts the non-polar material. An in situ microemulsion may be formed when one or more surfactant and a polar phase (e.g. water or brine), and eventually some amount of organic phase, contacts the reservoir formation and reverses the wettability encountered in the porous media. The microemulsions are effective for reversing the wettability that occurs from non-polar materials which include, but are not necessarily limited to, oil-based mud, synthetic-based mud, paraffins, asphaltenes, emulsions, slugs, and combinations thereof.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.