UCST-Activated Network Reinforcement in Hybrid Microgels for Smart Plugging
Mingliang Du, Huifeng He, Qingchen Wang, Keming Sheng, Guancheng Jiang, Yinbo He
TL;DR
A smart microgel material was developed that strengthens under high temperatures, improving sealing in deep-well drilling.
Contribution
A novel UCST-responsive hybrid microgel (SUPA) was synthesized for adaptive plugging in deep-well environments.
Findings
SUPA microgels showed a 7.5-fold increase in storage modulus (G′) upon thermal activation.
The material exhibited a 4.4-fold increase in low-shear viscosity and rapid thixotropic recovery.
Lost circulation tests confirmed efficient sealing at 150 °C and 5 MPa in fractured models.
Abstract
Conventional polymer-based plugging materials often fail in deep-well environments due to passive thermal softening and network relaxation, which significantly compromise mechanical integrity and interfacial retention. To address this challenge, a novel smart Upper Critical Solution Temperature (UCST)-responsive hybrid microgel (SUPA) was synthesized for adaptive plugging in complex formations. The distinctive UCST responsiveness was conferred by incorporating N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)acrylamide (NAGA) and N-(2-hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide (HPMA) functional units into a robust dual-crosslinked network. Particle size analysis and oscillatory rheology in saline solution revealed the thermal activation mechanism: surpassing the critical temperature triggers the dissociation of intramolecular hydrogen bonds, driving polymer chain extension and volumetric expansion. This conformational…
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Taxonomy
TopicsDrilling and Well Engineering · Hydraulic Fracturing and Reservoir Analysis · Enhanced Oil Recovery Techniques