Non-emulsifier for completion brines to prevent emulsion from forming

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10214435-B2
Application number	US-201615297176-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 19, 2016
Priority date	Oct 20, 2015
Publication date	Feb 26, 2019
Grant date	Feb 26, 2019

Abstract

Non-emulsifying compositions may contain one or more sorbitan esters; one or more non-ionic surfactants; and one or more amphoteric surfactants, wherein the ratio of the one or more sorbitan esters to the one or more non-ionic surfactants to the one or more amphoteric surfactants is in the range of 1:1:1 to 1:5:3. Methods may include contacting an emulsion with a treatment fluid, the treatment fluid containing one or more sorbitan esters, one or more non-ionic surfactants, and one or more amphoteric surfactants, wherein the ratio of the one or more sorbitan esters to the one or more non-ionic surfactants to the one or more amphoteric surfactants is in the range of 1:1:1 to 1:5:3; and separating the emulsion into an aqueous phase and an oleaginous phase.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A composition comprising:
one or more sorbitan esters;
one or more non-ionic surfactants; and
one or more amphoteric surfactants,
wherein the ratio of the one or more sorbitan esters to the one or more non-ionic surfactants to the one or more amphoteric surfactants is in the range of 1:2.5:1.6 to 1:5:3.

2. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sorbitan esters are selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated sorbitan esters, polysorbates, and sorbitans esterified with mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-esters of C8-C22 alkyl or alkenyl fatty acids.

3. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the one or more nonionic surfactants are selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide polymers, copolymers and block copolymers of polyethylene oxide-propylene oxide), and poloxamers.

4. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the one or more amphoteric surfactants are selected from the group consisting of C8-C22 alkyl amidopropyl sultaines, C8-C22 alkyl amidopropyl betaines, C8-C22 alkenyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl amphohydroxypropyl sulfonates, and alkyl ampho(di)acetates.

5. The composition of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a base fluid.

6. The composition of claim 5 , wherein the base fluid is present at a concentration in the range of 30 vol % to 75 vol %.

7. The composition of claim 1 , further comprising a mutual solvent.

8. A method comprising:
emplacing a wellbore fluid into a wellbore, the wellbore fluid comprising:
a base fluid;
one or more sorbitan esters;
one or more non-ionic surfactants; and
one or more amphoteric surfactants,
wherein the ratio of the one or more sorbitan esters to the one or more non-ionic surfactants to the one or more amphoteric surfactants is in the range of 1:2.5:1.6 to 1:5:3.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:
contacting the wellbore fluid with an emulsion in the wellbore; and
separating the emulsion into an aqueous phase and an oleaginous phase.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the one or more sorbitan esters are selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated sorbitan esters, polysorbates, and sorbitans esterified with mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-esters of C8-C22 alkyl or alkenyl fatty acids.

11. The method of claim 8 , wherein the one or more nonionic surfactants are selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide polymers, copolymers and block copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide-propylene oxide), and poloxamers.

12. The method of claim 8 , wherein the one or more amphoteric surfactants are selected from the group consisting of C8-C22 alkyl amidopropyl sultaines, C8-C22 alkyl amidopropyl betaines, C8-C22 alkenyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl amphohydroxypropyl sulfonates, and alkyl ampho(di)acetates.

13. The method of claim 8 , wherein the ratio of sorbitan ester:nonionic surfactant:amphoteric surfactant is 1:2.5:1.6.

14. The method of claim 8 , wherein the wellbore fluid further comprises a mutual solvent.

15. A method comprising:
contacting an emulsion with a treatment fluid, the treatment fluid comprising:
one or more sorbitan esters,
one or more non-ionic surfactants, and
one or more amphoteric surfactants,
wherein the ratio of the one or more sorbitan esters to the one or more non-ionic surfactants to the one or more amphoteric surfactants is in the range of 1:2.5:1.6 to 1:5:3; and

separating the emulsion into an aqueous phase and an oleaginous phase.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
isolating the separated aqueous phase; and
injecting the separated aqueous phase into a wellbore.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the one or more sorbitan esters are selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated sorbitan esters, polysorbates, and sorbitans esterified with mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-esters of C8-C22 alkyl or alkenyl fatty acids.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the one or more nonionic surfactants are selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide polymers, copolymers and block copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide-propylene oxide), and poloxamers.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the one or more amphoteric surfactants are selected from the group consisting of C8-C22 alkyl amidopropyl sultaines, C8-C22 alkyl amidopropyl betaines, C8-C22 alkenyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl amphohydroxypropyl sulfonates, and alkyl ampho(di)acetates.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the treatment fluid further comprises a mutual solvent.

Assignees

• Mi Llc

Inventors

• Sui Changping
• Chinwangso Pawilai
• Zhang Hui
• Young Steven

Classifications

• B01D17/047

  with separation aids · CPC title

• C02F1/68 Primary

  by addition of specified substances, e.g. trace elements, for ameliorating potable water (medicinal water A61K) · CPC title

• C02F2101/325

  Emulsions · CPC title

• C02F2103/10

  from quarries or from mining activities · CPC title