University of Missouri

Jingyang Pu

Thomas P Schuman

Baojun Bai

Zhe Sun

Ze Wang

This invention is broadly concerned with compositions and processes for oilfield applications. More specifically, this invention relates to novel polymer constructed packages that, when pumped into a petroleum well, provide tunable characteristics of transformation and delayed self-assembly with each other under reservoir conditions to yield strong, elastic, bulk gel materials. The compositions comprise a polymer, assembling agents, and optional additives used for the re-assembly stage are uniformly-distributed within the initial gel particles. The polymer particle packages absorb water and swell upon exposure to water, thus exposing the 'assembling agents' that enable re-assembly. Both swelling and re-assembly are proportionally controlled via compositions to be tunable to allow functional dispersion and subsequent self-assembly under various reservoir conditions.

Re-assembling polymer particle package for conformance control and fluid loss control

Described herein are compositions useful for controlling fluid flow, for example in a target zone of a subterranean environment, and methods of forming and using the same. The composition generally comprises a quantity of fibers and a quantity of swellable particles, which may be dispersed in a carrier fluid. The composition may be synthesized in the form of a bulk gel or may be gelatinated during use. The fibers in the compositions provide improved performance as compared to prior PPG and RPPG particle-containing compositions. Specifically, the compositions reinforce the re-cross-linked/re-associated hydrogel plug in underground features and support proper rehydration of RPPG particles with water or brine to better to provide structural support for the particles within the gel and to more completely fill underground void space conduits.

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Austin, TX, United States of America

Jingyang Pu