U.S. patent application number 14/759795 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-10 for smart proppant technology for fracking and well production performance monitoring.
The applicant listed for this patent is CIDRA CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.. Invention is credited to Alan D. KERSEY.
Application Number | 20150353817 14/759795 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51167339 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150353817 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KERSEY; Alan D. |
December 10, 2015 |
SMART PROPPANT TECHNOLOGY FOR FRACKING AND WELL PRODUCTION
PERFORMANCE MONITORING
Abstract
The present invention provides a proppant or proppant mixture
having insert materials configured for providing a mechanical or
physical function in a well to hold open fissures or pathways
created in formations caused by well fracking to allow a release of
a hydrocarbon from the well, the insert materials being configured
at least partly with beads having a functionalized polymer so as to
form functionalized polymer proppants that are configured to
respond to the hydrocarbon or other composition of matter released
from the well, including water, and provide at least one chemical
taggant containing an indication about the hydrocarbon or other
composition of matter released from the well. The functionalized
polymer may include a dual-monomer structure.
Inventors: |
KERSEY; Alan D.; (South
Glastonbury, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CIDRA CORPORATE SERVICES, INC. |
Wallingford |
CT |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51167339 |
Appl. No.: |
14/759795 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
January 8, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US14/10662 |
371 Date: |
July 8, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61750101 |
Jan 8, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
166/250.12 ;
166/243; 507/219 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 47/00 20130101;
E21B 47/11 20200501; E21B 43/14 20130101; E21B 43/26 20130101; C09K
8/805 20130101; E21B 49/08 20130101; E21B 43/267 20130101 |
International
Class: |
C09K 8/80 20060101
C09K008/80; E21B 49/08 20060101 E21B049/08; E21B 47/00 20060101
E21B047/00; E21B 43/14 20060101 E21B043/14; E21B 43/267 20060101
E21B043/267; E21B 43/26 20060101 E21B043/26 |
Claims
1. A proppant or proppant mixture comprising: insert materials
configured for providing a mechanical or physical function in a
well to hold open fissures or pathways created in formations caused
by well fracking to allow a release of a hydrocarbon from the well,
the insert materials configured at least partly with beads having a
functionalized polymer so as to form functionalized polymer
proppants that are configured to respond to the hydrocarbon or
other composition of matter released from the well, including
water, and provide at least one chemical taggant containing an
indication about the hydrocarbon or other composition of matter
released from the well.
2. A proppant or proppant mixture according to claim 1, wherein the
functionalized polymer proppants are configured to release a range
of different tracer chemical compounds or chemical taggants so as
to provide an ability to uniquely identify a given proppant in the
well so as to allow the well to be fingerprinted or encoded by
zone.
3. A proppant or proppant mixture according to claim 2, wherein the
range of different tracer chemical compounds or taggants are
configured to release a different chemical compound or taggant in
the presence of water being produced from the formations so as to
allow detrimental water producing zones to be identified in the
well.
4. A proppant or proppant mixture according to claim 1, wherein the
functionalized polymer comprises a dual-monomer structure.
5. A proppant or proppant mixture according to claim 4, wherein the
dual-monomer structure is configured to allow a tracer to be
incorporated as a payload or core group.
6. A proppant or proppant mixture according to claim 5, wherein the
tracer is configured to be released via a desired external
influence, including when coming in contact with water, or other
composition of matter having a predetermined pH, or a predetermined
hydrocarbon, including oil or natural gas.
7. A proppant or proppant mixture according to claim 4, wherein the
dual-monomer structure comprises a core group and end groups.
8. A proppant or proppant mixture according to claim 1, wherein the
beads are configured as solid materials either made from sand or
ceramic materials coated with the functionalized polymer, or made
from the functionalized polymer.
9. A proppant or proppant mixture according to claim 1, wherein the
proppant or proppant mixture is configured to form part of a
fracking fluid, including fracking fluid that are gel-based,
foam-based or slickwater-based.
10. Apparatus comprising: a well configured with fissures or
pathways created in formations caused by well fracking to allow a
release of a hydrocarbon from the well; and a proppant or proppant
mixture having insert materials configured for providing a
mechanical or physical function in the well to hold open the
fissures or pathways, the insert materials configured at least
partly with beads having a functionalized polymer so as to form
functionalized polymer proppants that are configured to respond to
the hydrocarbon or other composition of matter released from the
well, including water, and provide at least one chemical taggant
containing an indication about the hydrocarbon or other composition
of matter released from the well
11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the functionalized
polymer proppants are configured to release a range of different
tracer chemical compounds or chemical taggants so as to provide an
ability to uniquely identify a given proppant in the well so as to
allow the well to be fingerprinted or encoded by zone.
12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the range of different
tracer chemical compounds or taggants are configured to release a
different chemical compound or taggant in the presence of water
being produced from the formations so as to allow detrimental water
producing zones to be identified in the well.
13. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the functionalized
polymer comprises a dual-monomer structure.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the dual-monomer
structure is configured to allow a tracer to be incorporated as a
payload or core group.
15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the tracer is
configured to be released via a desired external influence,
including when coming in contact with water, or other composition
of matter having a predetermined pH, or a predetermined
hydrocarbon, including oil or natural gas.
16. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the dual-monomer
structure comprises a core group and end groups.
17. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the beads are
configured as solid materials either made from sand or ceramic
materials coated with the functionalized polymer, or made from the
functionalized polymer.
18. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the apparatus
comprises a fracking fluid comprising the proppant or proppant
mixture, including where the fracking fluid are gel-based, or
foam-based, or slickwater-based.
19. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein at least one released
chemical taggant is carried to the surface of the well in
hydrocarbon fluids, including well production fluids.
20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the apparatus
comprises sampling equipment configured to sample the hydrocarbon
fluids, detect the at least one released chemical taggant, and
determine a measure of an efficiency of a given zone in the
well.
21. A fracking fluid, comprising: a proppant or proppant mixture
having insert materials configured for providing a mechanical or
physical function in a well to hold open fissures or pathways
created in formations caused by well fracking to allow a release of
a hydrocarbon from the well, the insert materials configured at
least partly with beads having a functionalized polymer so as to
form functionalized polymer proppants that are configured to
respond to the hydrocarbon or other composition of matter released
from the well, including water, and provide at least one chemical
taggant containing an indication about the hydrocarbon or other
composition of matter released from the well.
22. A fracking fluid according to claim 21, wherein the
functionalized polymer proppants are configured to release a range
of different tracer chemical compounds or chemical taggants so as
to provide an ability to uniquely identify a given proppant in the
well so as to allow the well to be fingerprinted or encoded by
zone.
23. A fracking fluid according to claim 22, wherein the range of
different tracer chemical compounds or taggants are configured to
release a different chemical compound or taggant in the presence of
water being produced from the formations so as to allow detrimental
water producing zones to be identified in the well.
24. A fracking fluid according to claim 21, wherein the
functionalized polymer comprises a dual-monomer structure.
25. A fracking fluid according to claim 24, wherein the
dual-monomer structure is configured to allow a tracer to be
incorporated as a payload or core group.
26. A fracking fluid according to claim 25, wherein the tracer is
configured to be released via a desired external influence,
including when coming in contact with water, or other composition
of matter having a predetermined pH, or a predetermined
hydrocarbon, including oil or natural gas.
27. A fracking fluid according to claim 24, wherein the
dual-monomer structure comprises a core group and end groups.
28. A fracking fluid according to claim 21, wherein the beads are
configured as solid materials either made from sand or ceramic
materials coated with the functionalized polymer, or made from the
functionalized polymer.
29. A fracking fluid according to claim 21, wherein the fracking
fluid is gel-based, or foam-based, or slickwater-based.
30. A method or process comprising: using a proppant or proppant
mixture having insert materials configured for providing a
mechanical or physical function in a well to hold open fissures or
pathways created in formations caused by well fracking to allow a
release of a hydrocarbon from the well; and configuring the insert
materials at least partly with beads having a functionalized
polymer so as to form functionalized polymer proppants that are
configured to respond to the hydrocarbon or other composition of
matter released from the well, including water, and provide at
least one chemical taggant containing an indication about the
hydrocarbon or the other composition of matter released from the
well.
31. A method according to claim 30, wherein the functionalized
polymer proppants are configured to release a range of different
tracer chemical compounds or chemical taggants so as to provide an
ability to uniquely identify a given proppant in the well so as to
allow the well to be fingerprinted or encoded by zone.
32. A method according to claim 31, wherein the range of different
tracer chemical compounds or taggants are configured to release a
different chemical compound or taggant in the presence of water
being produced from the formations so as to allow detrimental water
producing zones to be identified in the well.
33. A method according to claim 30, wherein the functionalized
polymer comprises a dual-monomer structure.
34. A method according to claim 33, wherein the dual-monomer
structure is configured to allow a tracer to be incorporated as a
payload or core group.
35. A method according to claim 34, wherein the tracer is
configured to be released via a desired external influence,
including when coming in contact with water, or other composition
of matter having a predetermined pH, or a predetermined
hydrocarbon, including oil or natural gas.
36. A method according to claim 33, wherein the dual-monomer
structure comprises a core group and end groups.
37. A method according to claim 30, wherein the beads are
configured as solid materials either made from sand or ceramic
materials coated with the functionalized polymer, or made from the
functionalized polymer.
38. A functionalized polymer layer or liner for applying to a
conduit having a process fluid flowing therein, comprising: a
layering or liner material configured at least partly with beads
having a functionalized polymer so as to form a functionalized
polymer layer or liner that is configured to respond to a part of
the process fluid, and provide at least one chemical taggant
containing an indication about the part of the process fluid.
39. A functionalized polymer layer or liner according to claim 38,
wherein the functionalized polymer layer or liner is configured to
release a range of different tracer chemical compounds or chemical
taggants so as to provide an ability to uniquely identify a given
location in the well so as to allow the well to be fingerprinted or
encoded by zone.
40. A functionalized polymer layer or liner according to claim 39,
wherein the range of different tracer chemical compounds or
taggants are configured to release a different chemical compound or
taggant in the presence of water being produced from the formations
so as to allow detrimental water producing zones to be identified
in the well.
41. A functionalized polymer layer or liner according to claim 38,
wherein the functionalized polymer comprises a dual-monomer
structure.
42. A functionalized polymer layer or liner according to claim 41,
wherein the dual-monomer structure is configured to allow a tracer
to be incorporated as a payload or core group.
43. A functionalized polymer layer or liner according to claim 42,
wherein the tracer is configured to be released via a desired
external influence, including when coming in contact with water, or
other composition of matter having a predetermined pH, or a
predetermined hydrocarbon, including oil or natural gas.
44. A functionalized polymer layer or liner according to claim 43,
wherein the dual-monomer structure comprises a core group and end
groups.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit to provisional patent
application Ser. No. 61/750,101 (712-2.397//CCS-0113), filed 8 Jan.
2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
[0002] This application is also related to provisional patent
application Ser. No. 61/750,632 (712-2.398//CCS-0114), filed 9 Jan.
2013, and provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/873,958
(712-2.411//CCS-0125), filed 9 Sep. 2013, which are both hereby
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of Invention
[0004] The present invention relates to techniques for fracking and
well production performance monitoring; and more particularly
relates to a proppant or proppants for using in such techniques for
fracking and well production performance monitoring.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Art
[0006] High pressure fracturing ("fracking") of wells is a well
known technology used to stimulate a formation to produce
hydrocarbons.
[0007] Fracking creates fissures in formations that are otherwise
relatively impermeable to the flow of oil or gas, and the fracking
creates micro-fissures along which trapped hydrocarbons can migrate
towards a producing well bore.
[0008] Typically, a proppant or proppants are known in the art and
include inert materials configured for providing a
mechanical/physical function in the well. (The terms "proppant" and
"proppants" appear to be used interchangeably in the prior art
literature, and are thus understood to be used interchangeably
herein.) In effect, known proppants have insert materials that are
used to assist and/or aid the effectiveness of fracking. The insert
materials can be sand or ceramic materials, as well as small
non-functionalized polymer beads. For example, known proppants are
used in well fracking to permanently hold open fissures in
formations to allow the release of hydrocarbons. It may be added to
a fracking fluid which may vary in composition depending on the
type of fracturing used, and can be gel, foam or
slickwater-based.
[0009] Fracking is normally completed in `zone`, i.e., sections of
the well that are pressure-isolated from each other are separately
pressure fracked.
[0010] Once fracked, a well will produce more effectively; however,
it may be difficult to understand how efficient the fracking of a
given zone has been, and the production efficiency (yield) of each
zone.
[0011] In view of the aforementioned understanding, there is a need
in the industry for a better way to monitor fracking and well
production performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention provides a new and unique approach for
using a proppant mixture having proppants manufactured using a
functionalized polymer.
[0013] These so-called Functionalized Polymer Proppants (FPPs) are
designed to perform the mechanical functions as with, or similar
to, the known or conventional proppant, but also to release a
chemical taggant, e.g., when in contact with a hydrocarbon.
[0014] Furthermore, the new proppant mixture can be designed to
release a range of different tracer chemical compounds, providing
an ability to uniquely identify a given proppant in a system.
[0015] In this way, for example, a well can be `fingerprinted` or
encoded by zone(s). Strong hydrocarbon production at one zone with
weak production at all other zones may be identifiable by detecting
the presence of the tracer compound associated with the proppant
used, e.g., in zone 1 over those associated with the other
zones.
[0016] This could also be extended to allow the new functionalized
polymer proppant(s) to release a different tracer chemical compound
in the presence of water being produced from the formation, e.g.,
thus allowing the detrimental water producing zones to be
identified.
EXAMPLES OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Examples of particular embodiments of the present invention
may include the following:
[0018] According to some embodiments, the present invention
provides an article of manufacture that may include, or take the
form of, a new proppant or proppant mixture featuring insert
materials configured as for providing a mechanical or physical
function in a well to hold open fissures or pathways created in
formations caused by well fracking to allow a release of a
hydrocarbon from the well, the insert materials being configured at
least partly with beads having a functionalized polymer so as to
form functionalized polymer proppants that are configured to
respond to the hydrocarbon or other composition of matter released
from the well, including water, and provide at least one chemical
taggant containing an indication or information about the
hydrocarbon or the other composition of matter released from the
well. In effect, the functionalized polymer proppants release the
at least one chemical taggant when in contact with the hydrocarbon
or the other composition of matter released from the well. By way
of example, the indication about the hydrocarbon or the other
composition of matter released from the well may include the
presence or absence of the hydrocarbon or the other composition of
matter, as well as the type or kind of the hydrocarbon or the other
composition of matter, the location of the zone of the hydrocarbon
or the other composition of matter, etc. The scope of the invention
is not intended to be limited to the type or kind of indication
related to the release of the at least one chemical taggant.
[0019] The present invention may also include one or more of the
following features:
[0020] The functionalized polymer proppants may be configured to
release a range of different tracer chemical compounds or chemical
taggants so as to provide an ability to uniquely identify a given
proppant in the well so as to allow the well to be fingerprinted or
encoded by zone(s).
[0021] The range of different tracer chemical compounds or taggants
may be configured to release a different chemical compound or
taggant in the presence of water being produced from the formations
so as to allow detrimental water producing zones to be identified
in the well.
[0022] The functionalized polymer may include a polymer structure,
e.g., including a dual-monomer structure as well as other "normal"
polymer structures characterized by a chemical compound or mixture
of compounds formed by polymerization and consisting essentially of
repeating structural units.
[0023] The dual-monomer structure may be configured to allow a
tracer to be incorporated as a payload or core group.
[0024] The tracer may be configured to be released via a desired
external influence, including when coming in contact with water, or
the other composition of matter having a predetermined pH, or a
predetermined hydrocarbon, including oil or natural gas.
[0025] The dual-monomer structure may include a core group and end
groups.
[0026] The beads may be configured as solid materials, e.g., either
made from sand or ceramic materials coated with the functionalized
polymer, or made from the functionalized polymer.
[0027] The proppants may formed as part of a fracking fluid,
including fracking fluids that are gel-based, foam-based or
slickwater-based.
[0028] According to some embodiments, the present invention may
include, or take the form of, apparatus featuring a well configured
with fissures or pathways created in formations caused by well
fracking to allow a release of a hydrocarbon from the well; and a
proppant or proppant mixture having insert materials configured for
providing a mechanical or physical function in the well to hold
open the fissures or pathways, where the insert materials are
configured at least partly with beads having a functionalized
polymer so as to form functionalized polymer proppants that are
configured to respond to the hydrocarbon or other composition of
matter released from the well, including water, and provide at
least one chemical taggant containing an indication about the
hydrocarbon or the other composition of matter released from the
well.
[0029] The apparatus may also include one or more of the features
set forth herein, according to some embodiments of the present
invention. In addition, the apparatus may also include a fracking
fluid comprising the proppant, including where the fracking fluid
is gel-based, or foam-based, or slickwater-based. At least one
released chemical taggant may be carried to the surface of the well
in hydrocarbon fluids, including well production fluids. The
apparatus may also include sampling equipment configured to sample
the hydrocarbon fluids, detect the at least one released chemical
taggant, and determine a measure of an efficiency of a given zone
in the well, based at least partly on at least one released and
detected chemical taggant.
[0030] According to some embodiments, the present invention may
include, or take the form of, a fracking fluid, featuring a
proppant or proppant mixture having insert materials configured for
providing a mechanical or physical function in a well to hold open
fissures or pathways created in formations caused by well fracking
to allow a release of a hydrocarbon from the well, where the insert
materials are configured at least partly with beads having a
functionalized polymer so as to form functionalized polymer
proppants that are configured to respond to the hydrocarbon or
other composition of matter released from the well, including
water, and provide at least one chemical taggant containing an
indication about the hydrocarbon or the other composition of matter
released from the well.
[0031] The fracking fluid may also include one or more of the
features set forth herein, according to some embodiments of the
present invention.
The Method
[0032] According to some embodiments, the present invention may
include, or take the form of, a method or process that includes
steps for using a proppant or proppant mixture having insert
materials configured for providing a mechanical or physical
function in a well to hold open fissures or pathways created in
formations caused by well fracking to allow a release of a
hydrocarbon from the well, and configuring the insert materials at
least partly with beads having a functionalized polymer so as to
form functionalized polymer proppants that are configured to
respond to the hydrocarbon or other composition of matter released
from the well, including water, and provide at least one chemical
taggant containing an indication about the hydrocarbon or the other
composition of matter released from the well.
[0033] The method may also include one or more of the features set
forth herein, according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
A Functionalized Polymer Layer or Liner
[0034] According to some embodiments, the present invention may
take the form of a functionalized polymer layer or liner for
applying to a conduit having a process fluid flowing therein,
featuring a layering material configured at least partly with beads
having a functionalized polymer so as to form a functionalized
polymer layer or liner that is configured to respond to a part of
the process fluid, and provide at least one chemical taggant
containing an indication about the part of the process fluid. The
conduit may take the form of a borehole of a well or a process pipe
having the process fluid flowing therein. The functionalized
polymer layer or liner may also include one or more of the features
set forth herein.
Advantages
[0035] By way of example, some advantages of the present invention
may include the following:
[0036] If functionalized polymer proppants are added to each zone
in a so-called "Fracking Job", then the hydrocarbon production
performance of each zone could be determined by detecting the ratio
of the various unique taggants present in a sample of the overall
well production fluid.
[0037] This could also be used to assess whether the fracking job
was effective, and whether any zones require re-fracking to
increase production efficiencies.
[0038] If water is produced by a given zone, then the approach
could allow an operator to decide not to re-frack a particular zone
during the next re-frack cycle, thus improving the well's overall
efficiency in reducing water production.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0039] The drawing includes FIGS. 1-3, which are not necessarily
drawn to scale, as follows:
[0040] FIG. 1, includes FIGS. 1a, 1b and 1c, where FIG. 1a shows an
example of a functionalized polymer proppant having a bead with a
functionalized polymer; where FIG. 1b shows a well having fissures
that will receive at least some functionalized polymer proppant
according to some embodiments of the present invention; and where
FIG. 1c shows an example of a fissure having at least some
functionalized polymer proppants according to some embodiments of
the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 2 shows functionalized polymer proppants coming in
contact with oil and releasing at least one chemical taggant
compound, according to some embodiments of the present
invention.
[0042] FIG. 3 shows an example of a functionalized polymer proppant
configured from, or in the form of, a dual-monomer structure with a
core group and end groups, according to some embodiments of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1a
[0043] FIG. 1a shows a bead 10 having a functionalized polymer 12
so as to form a functionalized polymer proppant that is configured
to respond to a hydrocarbon or other composition of matter, e.g.,
released from a well 20 (see FIG. 1b), including water, and provide
at least one chemical taggant 14 (see FIG. 2) containing an
indication about the hydrocarbon or the other composition of matter
released from the well. According to some embodiments of the
present invention, the functionalized polymer bead 10 in FIG. 1a
may form part of a proppant or proppant mixture 22 having insert
materials 22a (also known as non-functionalized proppants)
configured for providing a mechanical or physical function in the
well 20 (FIG. 1b) to hold open fissures or pathways 24 created in
formations caused by well fracking to allow a release of the
hydrocarbon from the well. According to some embodiments of the
present invention, the insert materials 22a may be configured at
least partly with beads like element 10 having the functionalized
polymer 12 like that shown in FIG. 1a, so as to form functionalized
polymer proppants indicated by reference numeral 22a'. In
operation, the functionalized polymer proppants like element 22a'
are configured to respond to the hydrocarbon or other composition
of matter released from the well 20, including water, and provide
at least one chemical taggant containing an indication about the
hydrocarbon or the other composition of matter released from the
well 20, e.g., consistent with that shown in FIG. 2.
[0044] By way of example, the beads like element 10 may be
configured as solid materials, e.g., either made from sand or
ceramic materials coated with the functionalized polymer, or made
or manufactured substantially from the functionalized polymer. The
bead 10 may take the form of different geometric shapes, including
at least partially spherical, partially tubular, etc.; and the
scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any
particular type or kind of geometrical shape or dimension. By way
of example, the bead 10 may be hollow throughout, like a hollow
tube; may be partially hollowed out, e.g., with an indent or
recess; or may be solid in form, like a solid sphere or solid
tubular structure or rod. By way of example, the reader is referred
to PCT application no. PCT/US12/39576 (WFMB file no. 712-2.382),
filed 25 May 2012, as well as the family of corresponding
application disclosed and referred to therein, for examples of
different geometric bead shapes and configurations.
[0045] By way of further example, the functionalized polymer 12 may
be formed in whole or in part on the surface 10a of the bead 10;
and the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to the
amount of surface that is covered with the functionalized polymer,
the thickness of the layer of the functionalized polymer, etc.
[0046] The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to
any particular mixture or ratio of insert materials (also known
herein as non-functionalized proppants 22a) and functionalized
polymer proppants 22a'. For example, embodiments are envisioned in
which the proppant or proppant mixture includes substantially all
functionalized polymer proppants 22a', as well as other mixtures or
ratios of insert materials (i.e., non-functionalized proppants 22a)
and functionalized polymer proppants 22a', e.g., depending on the
particular application.
FIGS. 1b-1c
[0047] FIG. 1b shows apparatus in the form of a well generally
indicated as 20 configured with a borehole 21 having fissures or
pathways 24 created in a formation caused by well fracking and the
application of a fracking fluid generally indicated by the
reference label FF so as to allow a release of the hydrocarbon
generally indicated as HC from the well 20.
[0048] FIG. 1c shows an example of one fissure or pathway 24
configured with the proppant or proppant mixture 22 having the
insert materials 22a configured for providing the mechanical or
physical function in the well 20 to hold open the fissure or
pathway 24. Consistent with that set forth herein, the proppant or
proppant mixture includes the functionalized polymer proppants 22a'
that are configured to respond to the hydrocarbon or other
composition of matter released from the well, including water, and
provide the at least one chemical taggant 14 containing an
indication about the hydrocarbon or the other composition of matter
released from the well.
[0049] In FIGS. 1b and 1 c, when the proppant or proppant mixture
22 is used in high pressure fracking fluids to fill the fissures
like 24 created in the formation and hold open the paths ways for
hydrocarbons, the proppant or proppant mixture 22 may also be
configured with the functionalized polymer proppants 22a',
consistent with that disclosed herein, and may also provide this
mechanical function but as the hydrocarbons come into contact with
the functionalized polymer proppants 22a', the functionalized
polymer proppants 22a' may release the chemical taggant(s) 14 which
is carried to the surface in the hydrocarbon fluids (well
production fluids), consistent with that shown in FIG. 2. Detection
of this chemical taggant(s) on the surface by sampling the
production fluid, e.g., with a sampling device 30 (FIG. 1b), yields
a measure of the efficiency of a given zone. Sampling devices like
element 30, are known in the art, and the scope of the invention is
not intended to be limited to any particular type or kind thereof
either now known or later developed in the future.
FIGS. 2-3
[0050] By way of example, FIG. 2 shows functionalized polymer
proppants 22a' coming in contact with, e.g., oil, and releasing the
chemical taggant or chemical taggant compound 14, according to the
present invention. As would be appreciated by a person skilled in
the art, polymer formulations presently exist, are known in the art
and well documented that allow the physical and chemical properties
of a polymer substrate to be altered and controllable via an
external influence. By way of example, the functionalized or
functionizable polymer may take the form of a dual-monomer
structure 40 that allows the tracer to be incorporated as a
payload/core group, including where the dual-monomer structure like
element 40 includes a core group 40a and end groups 40b, consistent
with that shown in FIG. 3. This tracer may be then released via a
desired external influence, e.g., which could be by contact with
water, a certain pH, or one or more hydrocarbons. Furthermore, the
scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any
particular type or kind of polymer structure either now known or
later developed in the future; and embodiments are envisioned with
the scope of the present invention using other types or kinds of
polymer structures and or functionalized polymers in addition to
that disclosed herein, e.g., including that shown in FIG. 3.
Fracking Fluids
[0051] Fracking fluids are known in the art. Depending on the
particular application, known fracking fluids may contain water and
be configured with different type of additives, e.g., including
hydrochloric acid, (low pH can etch certain rocks, such as
dissolving limestone, for instance), friction reducers, guar gum,
biocides, emulsion breakers, and emulsifiers. By way of example,
the reader is referred to U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,215,164; 8,273,320 and
8,568,573, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
APPLICATIONS
[0052] By way of example, the present invention may be used in, or
form part of, or used in conjunction with, industrial or fracking
processes involving drilling for hydrocarbons such as oil or
natural gas.
THE SCOPE OF THE INVENTION
[0053] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, may modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein as the best mode
contemplated for carrying out this invention.
* * * * *