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US 12,735,626 B2Granted
Surface-modified nanoparticle compositions and related applications in subterranean hydrocarbon recovery
OwnerDuy T. Nguyen, William T. Duttlinger, Jr. +4inventors
InventorsDuy T. Nguyen, William T. Duttlinger, Jr., Rangarani Karnati, Zhengang Zong, Kai He, Linh Do
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Abstract
Surface-modified nanoparticles and surfactants are used in compositions and methods for enhancing hydrocarbon recovery from subterranean formations.
Claims22
A method of enhanced hydrocarbon recovery from a subterranean formation, the method comprising:
- introducing a treatment fluid into a subterranean formation or well, wherein the treatment fluid comprises:
- (a) surface-modified silica nanoparticles having a surface modified with an alkoxysilane,
- (b) a stability component, the stability component comprising a sulfate, a chloride, a carbonate, or an oxide salt of aluminum, titanium, or zirconium, wherein the stability component is present in a range of from 0.1 wt % to 10 wt % based on total weight of the treatment fluid,
- (c) a surfactant composition comprising i) a sulfobetaine, ii) a nonionic surfactant comprising an ethoxylated alcohol, and iii) an anionic surfactant, and
- (d) a solvent,
- wherein the sulfobetaine is present in a range of from 10 wt % to 20 wt %, the ethoxylated alcohol is present in a range of from 2 wt % to 4 wt %, and the anionic surfactant is present in a range of from 2 wt % to 4 wt % based on a total weight of the treatment fluid.
3 more elements
A treatment fluid for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery comprising:
- surface-modified silica nanoparticles having a surface modified with an alkoxysilane;
- a stability component, the stability component comprising a sulfate, a chloride, a carbonate, or an oxide salt of aluminum, titanium, or zirconium, wherein the stability component is present in a range of from 0.1 wt % to 10 wt % based on total weight of the treatment fluid;
- a surfactant composition comprising i) a sulfobetaine, ii) a nonionic surfactant comprising an ethoxylated alcohol, and iii) an anionic surfactant;
- and
- a solvent,
- wherein the sulfobetaine is present in a range of from 10 wt % to 20 wt %, the ethoxylated alcohol is present in a range of from 2 wt % to 4 wt %, and the anionic surfactant is present in a range of from 2 wt % to 4 wt % based on a total weight of the treatment fluid.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.