Methods for clay swelling inhibition using gemini surfactants containing a saturated linker

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11447688-B2
Application number	US-202016777221-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 30, 2020
Priority date	Jan 30, 2020
Publication date	Sep 20, 2022
Grant date	Sep 20, 2022

Abstract

Methods of controlling clay swelling and stabilizing subterranean geological formations containing swellable clays (e.g., montmorillonite, bentonite) are described. The methods involve treating the swellable clays with a composition containing an amidoamine-based gemini surfactant. The gemini surfactant has dual chains connected via an alkylene linker, whereby each chain contains a quaternary ammonium head group and an ethoxylated alkyl tail. As examined by linear swelling and free swelling tests, use of the gemini surfactant is effective in reducing swelling of the clays.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of stabilizing a subterranean geological formation containing a swellable clay, the method comprising:
treating the swellable clay with a composition comprising a surfactant of formula (I)

or a solvate thereof, a tautomer thereof, a stereoisomer thereof, or a mixture thereof;
wherein:
each of R 1 and R 2 are independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen, an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, and an optionally substituted arylalkyl;
each of R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from the group consisting of an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, and an optionally substituted arylalkyl;
L is —(CH 2 ) 12 —;
each of n is independently an integer in a range of 1-15;
each of x is independently an integer in a range of 5-21;
each of y is independently an integer in a range of 2-5; and
X is an anion selected from the group consisting of a halide ion, a hexafluorophosphate ion, a trifluoromethanesulfonate ion, and a tetrafluoroborate ion.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the swellable clay is at least one selected from the group consisting of a smectite clay, a kaolin clay, an illite clay, a chlorite clay, and a sepiolite clay.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the swellable clay is a smectite clay.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the smectite clay comprises montmorillonite.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises an aqueous base fluid.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the surfactant of formula (I) is present in an amount of 0.001-5 wt. % relative to a total weight of the composition.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of R 1 and R 2 are independently a hydrogen, or a methyl.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of R 1 and R 2 are a hydrogen.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from the group consisting of a methyl, an ethyl, and an isopropyl.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of R 3 and R 4 are a methyl.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of n is an integer in a range of 2-11.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of x is an integer in a range of 11-13.

13. The method of claim 1 , wherein each of y is 3.

14. The method of claim 1 , wherein X is bromide.

15. A method of stabilizing a subterranean geological formation containing a swellable clay, the method comprising:
treating the swellable clay with a composition comprising a surfactant of formula (IV)

wherein:
each of n 3 is independently an integer in a range of 2-11; and
each of x 3 is independently an integer in a range of 11-13.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition is substantially free of a potassium salt.

Assignees

• Univ King Fahd Pet & Minerals

Inventors

• Kamal Muhammad Shahzad
• Hussain S M Shakil
• Murtaza Mobeen
• MAHMOUD Mohamed

Classifications

• C09K8/607 Primary

  specially adapted for clay formations · CPC title

• C09K8/602

  containing surfactants · CPC title

• C09K2208/12

  Swell inhibition, i.e. using additives to drilling or well treatment fluids for inhibiting clay or shale swelling or disintegrating · CPC title

• C07C235/10

  having the nitrogen atom of at least one of the carboxamide groups bound to an acyclic carbon atom of a hydrocarbon radical substituted by nitrogen atoms not being part of nitro or nitroso groups · CPC title

• C09K8/575

  containing organic compounds · CPC title