Sand production control through the use of magnetic forces
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
E21B-043/16
출원번호
US-0773380
(2010-05-04)
등록번호
US-8776883
(2014-07-15)
발명자
/ 주소
Al-Tahini, Ashraf
출원인 / 주소
Saudi Arabian Oil Company
대리인 / 주소
Bracewell & Giuliani LLP
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
12
초록▼
A process for controlling the production of loose sand particles within an underground formation through the use of magnetic forces is provided. The loose sand particles are magnetized and then subjected to a magnetic field of sufficient strength such that the operator can control the movement of th
A process for controlling the production of loose sand particles within an underground formation through the use of magnetic forces is provided. The loose sand particles are magnetized and then subjected to a magnetic field of sufficient strength such that the operator can control the movement of the loose sand particles within the underground formation. In some instances, the present invention can provide an efficient process for keeping the loose sand particles within the formation, and thereby prolonging the useful life of the downhole equipment. In other instances, the present invention can provide an efficient process for sweeping the loose sand particles out of the underground formation in a controlled fashion. The present invention includes at least three embodiments for magnetizing the loose sand particles, including direct magnetization, contacting the sand particles with a magnetizing reagent, and contacting the sand particles with paramagnetic nanoparticles.
대표청구항▼
1. A process for controlling the production of loose sand particles from an underground formation during the production of hydrocarbons, the process comprising the steps of: introducing a magnetic source into a well bore traversing the underground formation such that it is positioned proximate to a
1. A process for controlling the production of loose sand particles from an underground formation during the production of hydrocarbons, the process comprising the steps of: introducing a magnetic source into a well bore traversing the underground formation such that it is positioned proximate to a producing section within the underground formation, where the producing section of the underground formation comprises loose sand particles and production fluid and where the production fluid includes hydrocarbons;treating at least some of the loose sand particles located within the underground formation such that the treated loose sand particles form that are operable to respond to the introduction of a magnetic field;operating the magnetic source such that a continuous magnetic field is generated from the magnetic source that penetrates the producing section of the underground formation for a distance from the magnetic source, where the treated loose sand particles within the continuous magnetic field experience a continuous repelling force directed away from the well bore; andproducing the production fluid from the producing section of the underground formation at a production rate such that the treated loose sand particles experience a production drag force, where the production drag force is associated with the production rate and is directed towards the well bore;where the continuous repelling force is equal to or greater than the production drag force on the treated loose particles such that the treated loose sand particles within the distance from the magnetic source are not produced with the production fluid from the producing section. 2. The process of claim 1 where the loose sand particles are ferromagnetic, and the step of treating at least some of the loose sand particles comprises magnetizing the loose sand particles by exposing the loose sand particles to an electromagnetic field such that the treated loose sand particles form. 3. The process of claim 2 where the treated loose sand particles comprise Fe3O4. 4. The process of claim 1 where the step of treating at least some of the loose sand particles comprises introducing a magnetizing fluid into the producing section such that the magnetizing fluid contacts with and adheres to an outer surfaces of individual loose sand particles such that the treated loose sand particles form, where the adherent on the outer surface of the treated loose sand particles is resistant to the production fluid. 5. The process of claim 4 where the magnetizing reagent is introduced into the producing section such that the magnetizing reagent contacts the producing section for a distance of at least five times the radius of the well bore. 6. The process of claim 4 where the magnetizing fluid is selected from the group consisting of magnetizing reagents, ferrofluids, magnetorheological fluids, paramagnetic nanoparticles suspended in an aqueous carrier solution, and combinations thereof. 7. The process of claim 1 where the step of treating at least some of the loose sand particles comprises introducing a reagent comprising paramagnetic nanoparticles into the producing section such that the reagent contacts with and adheres to an outer surfaces of individual loose sand particles such that the treated loose sand particles form, where the adherent on the outer surface of the treated loose sand particles is resistant to the production fluid. 8. The process of claim 7 where the paramagnetic nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of ferric ions, magnetite ions, hematite ions, maghemite ions and combinations thereof. 9. The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of introducing a pretreatment surfactant into the portion of the producing section where the continuous magnetic field is present prior to the step of treating at least some of the loose sand particles such that any production fluid present in the portion of the producing section where the continuous magnetic field is present is evacuated. 10. The process of claim 9 where the pretreatment surfactant is operable to dissolve both a brine and hydrocarbons. 11. The process of claim 9 where the pretreatment surfactant comprises a glycol ether. 12. The process of claim 1 where the magnetic source introduced into the well bore comprises a portion of a casing for the well bore, where the casing contacts a well bore wall of the well bore and is operable to permit fluid to pass between the well bore and the producing section at the producing section of the underground formation. 13. The process of claim 1 where the magnetic source introduced into the well bore comprises an electromagnet that is operable to be introduced into, positioned within, and removed from the well bore. 14. The process of claim 1 where the distance from the magnetic source is at least about five times the radius of the well bore. 15. A process for controlling the production of sand from an underground formation during the production of hydrocarbons, the process comprising the steps of: introducing a magnetizing fluid into a producing section of an underground formation, where the producing section of the underground formation comprises loose sand particles and production fluid and where the production fluid includes hydrocarbons, such that the magnetizing fluid contacts with and adheres to an outer surfaces of the loose sand particles such that the treated loose sand particles form, where the adherent on the outer surface of the treated loose sand particles is resistant to the production fluid, and such that the treated loose sand particles are operable to respond to the introduction of a magnetic field;introducing a continuous magnetic field into the producing section of the underground formation such that the treated loose sand particles within the continuous magnetic field experience a constant repelling force directed away from a well bore; andproducing the production fluid the producing section of the underground formation at a production rate such that the treated loose sand particles experience a production drag force, where the production drag force is associated with the production rate and is directed towards the well bore,where the constant repelling force is equal to or greater than the production drag force on the treated loose particles such that the treated loose sand particles within the distance from the magnetic source are not produced with the production fluid from the producing section. 16. The process of claim 15 where the magnetizing fluid is selected from the group consisting of magnetizing reagents, ferrofluids, magnetorheological fluids, paramagnetic nanoparticles suspended in a carrier solution, and combinations thereof. 17. The process of claim 16 where the paramagnetic nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of ferric ions, magnetite ions, hematite ions, maghemite ions and combinations thereof; and where the carrier fluid is selected from the group consisting of an organic solvent, water and combinations thereof.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (12)
Evans James O. (P.O. Box 876 Pampa TX 79066-0876), Apparatus and method of magnetic well stimulation.
Venditto James J. (Duncan OK) Martch William E. (Duncan OK) Wilson J. Michael (Duncan OK), Method for controlling sand production of relatively unconsolidated formations.
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