# US 11,999,900 B2 · Surface-modified nanoparticle compositions and related applications in subterranean hydrocarbon recovery

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- Number: US 11,999,900 B2
- Document ID: US11999900B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/785,643
- Filed: 2020-05-14
- Published: 2023-02-09
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2019-12-16
- Assignees: ChampionX LLC
- Applicants: ChampionX LLC
- Inventors: Duy T. Nguyen; William T. Duttlinger, Jr.; Rangarani Karnati; Zhengang Zong; Kai He; Linh Do
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11999900B2

## CPC

- C09K 8/03: Specific additives for general use in well-drilling compositions
- C09K 8/584: characterised by the use of specific surfactants
- C09K 8/58: Compositions for enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons, i.e. for improving the mobility of the oil, e.g. displacing fluids
- C09K 8/602: {containing surfactants}
- C09K 8/665: {containing inorganic compounds (proppants C09K8/80)}
- C09K 8/68: containing organic compounds
- C09K 8/70: characterised by their form or by the form of their components, e.g. foams
- E21B 43/16: Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons
- C09K 2208/10: Nanoparticle-containing well treatment fluids
- E21B 43/26: by forming crevices or fractures
- C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- E21B: EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS

## Abstract

Surface-modified nanoparticles and surfactants are used in compositions and methods for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery from subterranean formations.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A treatment fluid for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery, comprising:
surface-modified nanoparticles, each of the surface-modified nanoparticles comprising silica and having a surface modified with a zwitterionic silane;
a stability component comprising a sulfate, chloride, or carbonate salt of aluminum, titanium, or zirconium;
a surfactant composition comprising an amphoteric surfactant and a nonionic surfactant; and
a solvent.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The treatment fluid of claim 1, wherein the zwitterionic silane comprises 3-(dimethyl(3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl)-ammonio) propane-1-sulfonate, 3-(dimethyl (3-(triethoxysilyl) propyl)-ammonio) propane-1-sulfonate, or 3-(diethyl (3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl)-ammonio) propane-1-sulfonate.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The treatment fluid of claim 1, wherein the amphoteric surfactant comprises a sulfobetaine.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The treatment fluid of claim 1, wherein the amphoteric surfactant comprises one or more of 3-((C10-C16)-alkyldimethylammonio)-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate, C10-16-alkyl(2-hydroxy-3-sulfopropyl)dimethyl betaine.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The treatment fluid of claim 1, wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises one or more of ethoxylated castor oil, dimethyl-lauryl-amine, C10-16 alkyl dimethylamines, alkoxylated ethylenediamine, and ethoxylated alcohol.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The treatment fluid of claim 1, wherein the surfactant composition further comprises an anionic surfactant.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The treatment fluid of claim 1, wherein the stability component is aluminum sulfate.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The treatment fluid of claim 1, wherein the solvent is selected from a water source, a coupling agent, or a combination thereof.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The treatment fluid of claim 1, wherein the solvent comprises a water source, and wherein the water source has at least about 0.5 wt % solids dissolved therein, has a temperature in a range of from 60° C. to 120° C., or has at least about 0.5 wt % solids dissolved therein and a temperature in a range of from 60° C. to 120° C.

### Claim 10

A method of enhanced hydrocarbon recovery from a subterranean formation, the method comprising:
introducing a treatment fluid into the subterranean formation via a well, the treatment fluid comprising
(a) surface-modified nanoparticles, each of the surface-modified nanoparticles comprising silica and having a surface modified with a zwitterionic silane,
(b) a stability component comprising a sulfate, chloride, or carbonate salt of aluminum, titanium or zirconium,
(c) a surfactant composition comprising an amphoteric surfactant and a nonionic surfactant, and
(d) a solvent; and
recovering a hydrocarbon from the subterranean formation via the well.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the subterranean formation comprises a low permeability formation having a permeability of 0.1 mD or less.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the treatment fluid contacts a solid surface of the subterranean formation, and a contact angle of water on the solid surface is altered by at least 10°.

### Claim 13 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the treatment fluid contacts the subterranean formation and changes the subterranean formation from oil wettable to water wettable.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the subterranean formation comprises a shale formation, wherein the well is a secondary well or a tertiary well.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the amphoteric surfactant is selected from sulfobetaine, 3-((C10-C16)-alkyldimethylammonio)-2-hydroxypropanesulfonate, or C10-16-alkyl(2-hydroxy-3-sulfopropyl)dimethyl betaine.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the stability component is aluminum sulfate.

### Claim 17 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the zwitterionic silane comprises 3-(dimethyl(3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl)-ammonio) propane-1-sulfonate, 3-(dimethyl (3-(triethoxysilyl) propyl)-ammonio) propane-1-sulfonate, or 3-(diethyl (3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl)-ammonio) propane-1-sulfonate.