Signa Chemistry, Inc.

James S Falcone, Jr

Michael Lefenfeld

Paul H Krumrine

A method of hydraulic fracturing is provided which uses metal silicides to generate significant pressure inside a wellbore. The method comprises injecting a fracturing fluid and an aqueous or reacting fluid into the wellbore to react with the fracturing fluid. The fracturing fluid comprises metal silicide, which may be uncoated or coated, and hydrocarbon fluid. The reacting fluid comprises water or a solvent. A method of removing buildup in pipelines such as subsea pipelines which uses metal silicides to generate heat and pressure inside the pipeline is also provided. The method comprises injecting an organic slug and an aqueous slug. The organic slug comprises metal silicide and hydrocarbon fluid. The aqueous slug comprises water. Alternatively, there is also provided a method for purifying flowback water produced from a hydraulic fracturing process comprising adding metal silicide to the flowback water produced from a hydraulic fracturing process.

Use of metal silicides in hydrocarbon production and transportation

A method of hydraulic fracturing is provided which uses metal silicides to generate significant pressure inside a wellbore. The method comprises injecting a fracturing fluid and an aqueous or reacting fluid into the wellbore to react with the fracturing fluid. The fracturing fluid comprises metal silicide, which may be uncoated or coated, and hydrocarbon fluid. The aqueous fluid comprises water. The reacting fluid comprises water or a solvent. A method of removing buildup in pipelines such as subsea pipelines which uses metal silicides to generate heat and pressure inside the pipeline is also provided. The method comprises injecting an organic slug and an aqueous slug. The organic slug comprises metal silicide and hydrocarbon fluid. The aqueous slug comprises water. Alternatively, there is also provided a method for purifying flowback water produced from a hydraulic fracturing process comprising adding metal silicide to the flowback water produced from a hydraulic fracturing process. The metal silicide in any of these methods may be alkali metal silicide or another metal silicide.

Enhanced oil recovery techniques include introduction of alkali metal silicides into subterranean reservoirs to generate hydrogen gas, heat, and alkali metal silicate solutions in situ upon contact with water. The alkali metal silicides, such as sodium silicide, are used to recover hydrocarbons, including heavier crudes where viscosity and low reservoir pressure are limiting factors. Hydrogen, which is miscible with the crude oil and can beneficiate the heavier fractions into lighter fractions naturally or with addition of catalytic materials, is generated in-situ. It. Heat is also generated at the reaction site to reduce viscosity and promote crude beneficiation. The resulting alkaline silicate solution saponifies acidic crude components to form surfactants which emulsify the crude to improve mobility toward a production well. The silicate promotes profile modification passively via consumptive reactions or actively via addition of acidic gelling agents.

Enhanced crude oil recovery using metal silicides

The invention relates to cement compositions containing a metal silicide such as an alkali metal silicide or an alkaline earth metal silicide. Upon mixing with water, the metal silicide reacts to generate hydrogen gas, a silicate, and heat&#x2014;each of which is advantageous for the large variety of uses to which cements are put. The invention relates to a foamable cement composition comprising about 99.999 wt % to about 98.5 wt % of a cement, and about 0.001 wt % to about 1.5 wt % of a metal silicide or a mixture of metal silicides. Concretes and grouts containing the cement composition are also disclosed. Other embodiments provide methods for forming cement structures, including in subterranean formations and wells.

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Palm Beach Gardens, FL, United States of America

James S Falcone, Jr