Cationic multiple quaternary ammonium-based surfactants for enhancing production in subterranean formations

• US 10,590,333 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2014
• Issued: 03/17/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Multi-Chem Group, LLC (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: He, Kai, Zhao, Funian, Qu, Liangwei, Xu, Liang
• Primary Examiner(s): Bhushan, Kumar R
• Application Number:
  US15/527,769
• Publication Number:
  US 20170327732A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,912 Days
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/584 characterised by the use of specific surfactants
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/602 containing surfactants
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/68 containing organic compounds

Abstract

Surfactant compositions for enhancing oil and/or gas production from certain subterranean formations (e.g., unconventional reservoirs), and related methods of use, are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising a carrier fluid and a cationic surfactant comprising at least two hydrophobic heads that each comprise a quaternary cationic moiety; and introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a treatment fluid comprising a carrier fluid and a cationic surfactant comprising at least two hydrophobic heads that each comprise a quaternary cationic moiety, wherein the cationic surfactant comprises at least one compound having the following molecular structure;

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the carrier fluid comprises an aqueous fluid.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid is introduced into a well bore penetrating at least a portion of the subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance one or more fractures in the subterranean formation.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the well bore comprises an injection well.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein one or more hydrocarbons reside in the portion of the subterranean formation, and the method further comprises:

allowing at least a portion of the hydrocarbons to dissolve in the treatment fluid; and

allowing the hydrocarbons to flow out of the subterranean formation with at least a portion of the treatment fluid.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the subterranean formation comprises an unconventional formation.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid further comprises one or more additional surfactants.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein R is a C₁₃ to C₂₀ hydrocarbon chain.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the cationic surfactant is present in the treatment fluid in an amount of from about 100 parts per million to about 100,000 parts per million of the treatment fluid by volume.