MX2013008322A - Xanthan and use thereof as a suspension for drilling, finishing and repairing oil and gas wells. - Google Patents

Abstract

Xanthan is a product for facilitating the induction thereof in oil wells, this is a viscosity agent faster than conventional agents, the management thereof being more efficient, and removing the product loses instead of using the powder version. The invention has a higher dispersion, in the different types of slurries used for the drilling, repair and finish of oil and gas wells. In addition, this product is environmentally friendly.

Description

XANTANA AND ITS USE AS A SUSPENSION FOR THE PERFORATION, TERMINATION AND REPAIR OF OIL AND GAS WELLS DESCRIPTION OBJECT OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the composition, method of preparation and application of a fluid product, formulated with a mixture of Xantana which is a derivative is an extracellular polysaccharide produced by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris B-1459. Resistant to pressures and temperatures, which can be used for drilling, completion and repair of oil wells. i BACKGROUND The present invention relates to the composition, method of preparation and application of a fluid product, formulated with a mixture of Xantana which is an extracellular polysaccharide produced by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris B-1459 .. Resistant to pressures and temperatures, which can be used for drilling, completion and repair of oil wells, and more specifically to drill, finish and repair the production area of offshore, terrestrial and lacustrine wells, producers of hydrocarbons (crude oil, gas and oil-gas mixtures and condensados._La invention, presents the peculiarity of reducing significantly damages the permeability of the water-soluble production formation to provide the density characteristics, polymers and special additives to provide the product with the physico-chemical properties that every drilling, completion and well-repair fluid requires to fulfill its functions, and Above all, provide a thermal resistance of 85 ° C to 138 ° C, lubricating the production line. A primary feature of the present invention is the composition that integrates the drilling fluid / completion / repair of oil wells is to increase the viscosity and control losses by filtration that do not require long times, high cutting speeds or heating. Turning it into a producer highly friendly with the environment.

Specifically, the present invention relates to compositions that it contains is an extracellular polysaccharide produced by the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris B-1459, to be used as a thickening agent to make viscous brines and provide thick fluids. Xantana, as well as fine grade mineral oil, Quaternary amine, Ta // 0/7 fatty acids and methanol.

For the drilling of an oil well, it is necessary to use a fluid (traditionally known as mud) which can be water based, based on oil or a gas in order to carry out multiple functions. This fluid must, among other things, counteract the pressures of the drilling fluids, cool and lubricate the auger, carry the drilled cuttings to the surface for its Separation and recycling, after conditioning, to reintroduce it to the well itself.

During the drilling operations, different formations (shales, sands, sandy shales, limestones, marls, shales, shales) are traversed before reaching the formation containing the hydrocarbons that have to be extracted for commercialization. Usually the deposits where the hydrocarbons are located consist of carbonated rocks, sands and / or sandy shales, which by virtue of their permeability can allow said hydrocarbons to flow naturally taking advantage of the existing pressures in the deposits or to be depressed deposits. which require the use of secondary recovery techniques (pneumatic pumping, mechanical pumping, electro-centrifugal pumping.). Invariably, the flow of hydrocarbons through the porous medium will very much depend on whether the insoluble particles of the traditional drilling fluids have invaded said zones, causing, among other causes, the clogging of the pores of the formation, and with this the reduction of hydrocarbon production. Permeability is the ease with which the pores of the formation can allow the free flow of a fluid through them, which will depend to a large extent on how well the pores are communicated with each other and that there are no particles foreign to the formation that prevent or block the passage of fluids through it, to this process of invasion or blockage of the pores of training is traditionally known as damage to production formation, which is caused by the fluids used during the drilling, completion or repair of oil wells.

The solids contained in traditional drilling fluids are generally insoluble solids in water and oil, which, when drilling, invade the production formation, causing the formation pores to clog and thus reducing their permeability. The chemical nature of these solids (usually densifying agents such as barite, ilmenite, galena, iron oxide) prevents them from being dissolved by the traditional 15% HCI treatment, causing irreversible damage to the permeability of the formation.

To solve the problems of damage to the production formation have been using fluids formulated based on heavy brines free of solids, which present the advantage that do not require insoluble solids (such as barite, calcium carbonate, iron oxide, galena .) to increase the density that high pressure high temperature wells require to control formation pressures, this type of fluid increases its density by dissolving salts or salt mixtures (NaCl, KCI, CaC, CaBr2l ZnBr2, NaHCCb, NaBr , KHC03, NaHC03, NH4CI, among others) in water, so that there are no insoluble solids (in suspension) that could, during the drilling of the production zone, invade the formation with the consequent plugging and reduction of the permeability and production from the well.

The Xantana powder presents several problems when it is poured into oil wells, which requires mixing properly with another additive that allows its maneuverability, adding the preparation time it takes to be used even in many of the occasions there are lumps or fish eyes which hinders or impedes the specific function of providing a higher viscosity of the brines.

They can be taken as references of existing patents in the market in synthetic and water-based liquid versions such as: The patent US 8377855 relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of underground areas in the drill-penetrated formations, so that polymer switches are strongly delayed.

The treatment of fluids containing polymer switches is used in a variety of operations and treatments in oil and gas wells. An example of a well termination treatment using a polymer switch in a high viscosity liquid is known in the art as gravel packing. In gravel packing treatments, solid gravel particles, such as sand, are made by means of well drilling to an underground zone in which a gravel pack is to be placed by a viscous gelled carrier fluid. That is, particulate solids (referred to in the art as gravel) are suspended in the high viscosity fluid vehicle to the surface and transported to the underground zone where the Gravel packing is going to be placed. Once the gravel is placed in the area, the viscous carrier fluid is broken (the viscosity is reduced) and recovered (returned to the surface) by the inclusion of a polymer delay switch, ie a reducing agent of viscosity, in the carrier fluid. The gravel packing produced functions as a filter to separate solids from the formation of the produced fluids while allowing the fluids produced to flow in and through the well bore.

In open hollow gravel packing procedures, a non-viscous carrier fluid can be used that includes a polymer breaker that is punctured in the form of a fluid filter cake left in the walls of the openhole hole. from the hole drilling operation of the well. The carrier fluid to open the gravel hole packaging can also be viscous. In that case, the delay switch in the carrier fluid breaks the carrier fluid and the filter cake so that the carrier fluid and the filter cake can be removed from the underground zone.

Well completion procedures using polymer switches can be improved if the polymer switches have a delayed reaction of the viscosity of the treatment fluid or in the degradation of the filter cake. For example, breaker compositions that include persulfatq.de sodium and lithium hypochlorite that provides, in general, breaks down with delay in the range of 0 to 2 hours are used in these operations. Recently, however, it has been recognized that even greater improvements and the simplification of Well completion procedures can be performed if it breaks down in the viscosity of a carrier fluid or filter cake integrity can be even stronger retarded. In this context and as used herein, the term "strongly delayed" as used in connection with a break of the viscosity of a carrier fluid or filtration cake integrity means an interruption delay of more than 3 hours.

At temperatures well above 150 ° F, t-butyl hydroperoxide has been found to function as a strongly retarded switch. However, at temperatures well below 150 ° F, which has proved difficult to obtain strongly delayed, controllable rest times of biopolymer components such as xanthan and succinoglycan gums of viscosified fluids or filter cakes. Attempts to obtain strongly delayed, controllable rest times by reducing the concentration of the general switch, results in incomplete breaks of the polymer and can be detrimental to the permeability of the production zone; Patent US 8338340 provides a drilling fluid comprising: a nonionic surfactant including at least one of a branched alcohol ethoxylate and a buffed alcohol ethoxylate, formed by a detergent and a viscosity agent.

The use of reconstructor in the drilling fluid increases the performance of the surfactant such that generally less surfactant needs to be used compared to a system without a builder and the drilling fluid can be reused.

Viscosity agents provide the loading capacity for a drilling fluid. Viscosity agents, for example, increase the viscosity of the drilling fluid so that it can carry cuts along with the drilling fluid flow. Viscosity agents can also act to reduce fluid loss by inhibiting the infiltration of fluid into the formation. Viscosity agents can prevent deposition or redeposition of bitumen on metal surfaces by suspending tar and tar sand particles in the fluid. Some common viscosity agents useful in embodiments of the present drilling fluid may include, for example, any of: xanthan gum, wellan gum, schleroglucan and / or guar gum.

In one embodiment, a water-based drilling fluid can be prepared using 0.5-1.5% by weight of surfactant, 0.5% -1.0% by weight and 0.2-0 rebuilder. , 4% by weight of viscosity agent.

In an exemplary embodiment, a water-based drilling fluid can be prepared including: 0.5-1.5% by weight of polyethylene glycol alkyl ester, 0.5% -1.0% by weight of a reinforcing agent of phosphate-type detergency or a borate-type builder and 0.2- 0.4% by weight of xanthan gum.

In an exemplary embodiment, a water-based drilling fluid can be prepared including: 0.5-1.5% by weight of etched chlorine C9-1 1 (C10 rich) alcohol, 0.5% -1 , 0% by weight of a zeolite-type builder and 0.2-0.4% by weight of xanthan gum.

A drilling fluid according to the present invention may also include, if desired, a lubricant, also called a secondary surfactant. The lubricant can act to soften the tar and provide a lubricating action to assist the drilling liners and operate in long horizontal sections of a well. The lubricant can be non-ionic. High-flash point oils and vegetables, such as those with a flash point greater than 148 ° C, may be of some use in the present drilling fluids. Useful lubricants may include, for example, methyl esters of fatty acids, for example, with a lipophilic hydrophilic balate (HLB) of about 6, as are commonly available as soybean oil, for example, commercially available as SoyCleár ™ products by AG Environmental Products, LLC or Oleocal ™ products by Lambent Technologies Corp., or canola oil. The lubricants can be added to the drilling fluid when the liquid is prepared, directly in the tanks and can alternatively or in addition by addition by first application to metal surfaces, such as screens, etc. on the surface to enter this mode to the drilling fluid stream.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Xantana is a derivative is a bicomponent produced by the fermentation of the bacterium Xanthomonas campestris, which provides rheology, bacterial resistance, works in any type of salinity and does not contain biocides, avoiding the development of high gels in its formulation.

The Xantana, is a biopolimer, which forms a viscous gel soluble in water and ethanol, can be used in substitution Hydroxyethyl Cellulose, Polyanionic Cellulose in low and high density, fulfilling a function similar to this, giving results of resistance to temperatures of 85 ° C up to 38 ° C.

Mineral oil is a liquid by-product of the distillation of petroleum from crude oil. A mineral oil in this sense is a clear, colorless oil typically composed of aléanos (typically 15 to 40 carbons) and cyclic paraffin. It has a density of about 0.8 g / cm3.

The quaternary amine is a positively charged polyatomic ion, of structure NR4 +, R starting from an alkyl group or an aryl group. Unlike the ammonium ion (NH4 +) and the primary, secondary or ternary ammonium cations, the quaternary ammonium cations are permanently charged, regardless of the pH of their solution. Salts of quaternary ammonium cations linked to an anion.

Fatty acids derived from the Tall 0/7, is a yellowish liquid, with a characteristic odor, obtained as a by-product in the manufacture of paper pulp, from coniferous, by the Kraft process, also called liquid resin, is obtained from the residual black liquor from the manufacture of cellulose pulp by alkaline processes and, more especially, by the sulphate process. It is a liquid consisting essentially of a mixture of fatty acids and resin acids.

Methanol, also known as methyl alcohol or wood alcohol, at room temperature appears as a light (low density), colorless, flammable and toxic liquid that is used as a solvent, its chemical formula is CH40.

To obtain the Xantana object of the present invention it is necessary that its elements have the following degree of concentration: Xanthan from 80% to 99%, preferably 99%; fatty acids derived from tall oil from 80% to 99%, preferably 99%, fine grade mineral oil from 80% to 100%, preferably 100%; Methanol 70% to 100%, preferably 100%; Quaternary amine from 80% to 99%, preferably 99%.

The present invention has a boiling point of 85 ° C "up to 138 ° C, appearance: cream to amber liquid, specific gravity: 0.96 g c, auto ignition: > 2000 ° C, flash point: 76.7 ° C, viscosity: > 9.250 cps @ 12 rpm, spin # 3 and 4 EXAMPLE 1. Preferred obtaining method of the present invention: They are introduced: 100% fine grade mineral oil + fatty acids derived from Tall 0/7 to 99% + 100% methanol + 99% Quaternary amine, in a mixer; once said components are introduced, said mixer is turned on and stirring starts at 1000 rpm, until the integration of the components shows a viscous texture, afterwards the Xantana powder, preferably at 99%, is added, in addition the mixer agitation is increased to 2000 rpm, to ensure that no fish eye or grouper is left, and stirring is maintained, to obtain the xanthan, which is a viscous suspension in cream, stable and manageable at room temperature to obtain finally the xanthan in suspension form, object of the present invention.

The Xanthan in suspension, will not experience the dehomogenization of the elements when it is at rest or storage, due to the system of mixing by agitation, which in other liquid products, happens the separation of the elements when at rest. Making a unique suspension, eliminating the sedimentation of Xantana pure biopolymer solids, turning it into a fully pourable compound. This allows an efficient handling to make quick mixes and sweeps without the need of mixer equipment, to pour it into the oil well.

EXAMPLE 2. Preparation of 1 liter of Xantana The amount of the components that are used to prepare 1 liter of the present invention are detailed in the table.

Table 1. Amount of elements used in the 1 liter preparation of the present invention.

The present invention comprises 40% of Xantana which together with the rest of the elements that make up the formula provide a liquid state for brines in high density, making it not degrade by common bacteria. Providing a pseudoplastic rheology not allowing to develop gels to cough. Making a product easy to handle, increasing the volume of the fluids facilitating their extraction, working in any type of salinity and does not require biosides.

EXAMPLE 3. Method of Application of the invention The fluids that are used in the drilling of a well are administered by the so-called circulation system and injection treatment. The system is composed of intercommunicated tanks that contain mechanisms such as: sieves / s: mechanical device, first in the drilling fluid cleaning line, which is used to separate trepan cuttings or other solids found in the same in his return from the well. The fluid passes through one or several vibrating strainers of different meshes or size of holes that separate the larger solids; the degasser / is; Desander / developer The fluid is pumped tangentially through the interior of one or more cyclones, cones, within which the rotation of the fluid provides sufficient centrifugal force to separate the dense particles by effect of their weight. The mixing funnel or hopper that is used to add dusty additives or suspensions to the drilling fluid and the centrifugal pumps and piston pumps (2 or 3): they are responsible for receiving the injection prepared or reconditioned from the tanks and push it inside from the drilling column through the passage or passages of the trephine and return it to the surface by the resulting annular space between the drill string and the wall of the well, loaded with the cuttings of the trepan, and contaminated by the components of the traversed formations . Drilling fluids; Its design and composition are established according to the physico-chemical characteristics of the different layers to be traversed. The qualities of the selected fluid depends on the density, viscosity, pH, filtering, chemical composition, must contribute to meet with the different functions of it, such as cooling and cleaning the trepan; carry the cuts that generate the action of the trepan, care of the environment.

EXAMPLE 4. Evaluation of the viscosity of Xantana.

In table 2, the viscosity that Xantana acquires is shown.

Table 3. It shows the tests made of corrosivity, reactivity, explosivity toxicity, flammability, biological infectious.

Table 3. Analyzes carried out to demonstrate the maximum minimum levels of the compound.

PROOF TEST CONDITIONS OBSERVATIONS Determination of pH 7.8 pH (< 2 &> 12.5 corrosive) Negative Corrosivity Corrosion veil, mm / year NA Corrosion velosity, mm / year (> 6.35 corrosive) Negative At 25'C and 1 atmosphere is combined or plumb Negative At 25 ° C and 1 atmosphere (Residue-Water) of 5: 1 Negative At 25 ° C and 1 atmosphere (Residue-Water) of 5: 3 Negative At 25 ° C and 1 atmosphere (Residue-Water) of 5: 5 Negative At 25'C and 1 atmosphere (Residue - HCI 1.0 N) of 5: 1 Negative At 25 ° C and 1 atmosphere (Residue-HCI 1.0N) of 5: 3 Negative At 25 ° C and 1 atmosphere (Residue-HCI 1.0N) of 5: 5 Negative At 25 ° C and 1 atmosphere (Residue-NaOH 1.0 N) of 5: 1 Negative Reactivity At 25 ° C and 1 atmosphere (Residue-NaOH 1.0 N) of 5: 3 Negative At 25 ° C and 1 atmosphere (Residue-NaOH 1.0 N) of 5: 5 Negative Gases, Vapors, or Fumes in conditions of pH 2.0 Negative Gases, Vapors, or Fumes in conditions of pH 4.0 Negative Gases, Vapors, or Fumes in conditions of pH 7.0 Negative Gases, Vapors, 0 Smoke in conditions of pH 9.5 Negative Gases, vapors, or fumes in conditions of pH 12.5 Negative It is apas to produce free radicals Negative Explosivity ICD of explosivity > To dinitrobenzene Negative At 25 ° C and 1.03 Kg / cm2 of pressure suffers explosive reaction Negative Toxicity Exceeds the limits of tables 5,6 and 7 of the Negative standard In non-aqueous contains > 24% alcohol in volume Negative Flash point, ° C NA If it is liquid (flash point < 60 ° C, flammable Negative Flammability It is not liq. And it causes fire by friction. Negative It is not liq. And causes fire by moisture absorption Negative At 25 ° C and 1.03 Kg / cm2 it undergoes chemical changes. Negative spontaneous They are gases or oxidants stimulants of Negative combustion Content of total conforming bacteria / gr Absent Biological Content of bacteria conforming fecal / gr Absent infectious Negative infectious biological risk Test method: Cretib (NOM-0S2-ECOL / 1993) The data shown in the various tests done, the results are absent, negative and in some cases does not apply. It makes it be within the norm.

Claims (22)

1. CLAIMS Having described my invention enough, I consider it as a novelty and therefore claim as my exclusive property, what is contained in the following clauses: 1. Xanthan characterized in that it comprises Xantana from 35% to 50% w / v ratio, from 50% to 99% purity; fatty acids derived from tall oil from 1% to 8% v / v ratio, from 50% to 99% pure; fine grade mineral oil from 40% to 60% v / v ratio, 50% to 99% pure; methanol from 1% to 5% v / v ratio, from 50% to 100% purity and quaternary amine from 1% to 8% v / v ratio, from 50% to 99% purity. 2. Xantana, according to claim 1, characterized in that it preferably comprises Xantana at 40% ratio w / v at 99% purity; fatty acids derived from tall oil at 2% v / v ratio, at 99% purity; fine grade mineral oil 53% v / v ratio, 99% pure; methanol of 1% v / v ratio, at 100% purity; quaternary amine 4% v / v ratio; at 99% purity. 3. Xantana, according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises xanthan in 53% w / v ratio. 4. Xantana, according to claim 3, characterized in that it comprises Xantana in 99% purity. 5. Xantana, according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises fatty acids derived from tall oil in 2% v / v ratio. 6. Xantana, according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises fatty acids derived from tall oil in 99% purity. 7. Xantana, according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises fine grade mineral oil in 53% v / v ratio. 8. Xantana, according to claim 7, characterized in that it comprises 99% pure fine grade mineral oil. 9. Xantana, according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises Methanol in 1% v / v ratio. 10. Xantana, according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises 100% pure Methanol. 1. Xantana, according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises Quaternary Amine in 4% v / v ratio. 12. Xantana, according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises 99% pure Quaternary Amine. 13. Xantana, according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a specific gravity (SG) of 0.96 g ce. 14. Xantana, according to claim 1, characterized in that its viscosity is 9.250 cps at 12 rpm. 15. Xantana, according to claim 1, characterized in that the results of its corrosivity test, is within the normal range. 16. Xantana, according to claim 1, characterized in that the results of its reactivity test, is within the normal range. 17. Xantana, according to claim 1, characterized in that the results of its explosion test, is within the normal range. 18. Xantana, according to claim 1, characterized in that the results of its toxicity test, is within the normal range. 19. Xantana, according to claim 1, characterized in that the results of its flammability test, is within the normal range. 20. Xantana, according to claim 1, characterized in that the results of its infectious biological test, is within the normal range. twenty-one . Xantana, according to claims 1 to 20, characterized in that it is obtained by the introduction of fine grade mineral oil, fatty acids derived from tall oil, methanol, quaternary amine, in a mixer; Once these components are introduced, this mixer is turned on and stirring starts at 1000 rpm, until the integration of the components shows a viscous texture, then the powdered Xantana is added, in addition the stirring mixer is increased to 2000 rpm, to ensure that there is no no lump or fish eye, and agitation is maintained, to obtain the non-ionic Xanthan, which is a viscous suspension in cream color, stable and manageable at room temperature to finally obtain the nonionic hydroxyethyl cellulose. 22. Use of the Xantana, according to claims 1 to 20, as a suspension for the drilling, completion and repair of oil and gas wells.