Microemulsions used as spacer fluids

US8415279B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Baker Hughes Holdings LLC · US

Inventors

• Lirio Quintero · Houston, US
• Chad F. Christian · Houston, US
• Alexander McKellar · Diemelstraße, US
• Cristina Torres · Chandler, US
• David E. Clark · Gainesville, US
• Thomas A. Jones · Cypress, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 21, 2010
• Grant date: Apr 9, 2013
• Expiry date: Jul 19, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C09K8/524
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Nanoemulsions, miniemulsions, microemulsion systems with excess oil or water or both (Winsor III) or single phase microemulsions (Winsor IV) may be pre-formed and used as one or more fluid pills during hydrocarbon recovery operations after drilling with OBM or SBM. The nanoemulsions, miniemulsions, microemulsion systems with excess oil or water or both or single phase microemulsions remove oil and solids from the well and wellbore surfaces. In one non-limiting embodiment, a single phase microemulsion (SPME) or other pre-formed fluid may be created from a polar phase, a nonpolar phase, an optional viscosifier, and at least one surfactant.