Systems and methods for applying a biocide using a precursor biocide
A method for applying a biocide to a wellbore includes providing a precursor biocide to a location within a wellbore extending through an earth formation, the precursor biocide comprising an acetal or a hydroxyaldehyde, and reacting the precursor biocide in the wellbore or the earth formation in-situ to form a biocide comprising propenal. The method may further include treating the wellbore for effects of microorganisms using the biocide. Related methods and systems for applying the biocide to the wellbore are also disclosed.
1 . A method for applying a biocide to a wellbore, the method comprising:
providing a precursor biocide to a location within the wellbore, the wellbore extending through an earth formation, the precursor biocide comprising at least one of acrolein diethyl acetal, acrolein ethylene glycol acetal, or 3-hydroxypropanal; and
reacting the precursor biocide in the wellbore or the earth formation in-situ to form the biocide, the biocide comprising propenal.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising treating the wellbore for effects of microorganisms using the biocide.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein reacting the precursor biocide comprises contacting the precursor biocide with an acid to react the precursor biocide in the wellbore or the earth formation to form the biocide.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein contacting the precursor biocide with the acid comprises contacting the precursor biocide with carbonic acid.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the precursor biocide comprises a reaction product of formaldehyde and another aldehyde.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the another aldehyde comprises acetaldehyde.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the precursor biocide comprises a reaction product of propenal and an alcohol.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the precursor biocide comprises a reaction product of propenal and a diol and comprises a cyclic ring.
9 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
measuring a microorganism concentration in the wellbore; and
providing a concentration of the precursor biocide to the wellbore based on the measured microorganism concentration.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein forming the biocide comprises forming the biocide without exposing personnel to the biocide.
11 . A method of applying a biocide to a wellbore, the method comprising:
providing a precursor biocide to a location within the wellbore, the wellbore extending through an earth formation, the precursor biocide comprising at least one of acrolein diethyl acetal, acrolein ethylene glycol acetal, or 3-hydroxypropanal; and
responsive to exposure to an acid or water in the wellbore, forming the biocide in the wellbore from the precursor biocide, the biocide comprising propenal.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising:
measuring a microorganism concentration of a fluid associated with the wellbore; and
adjusting a flowrate of the precursor biocide based on the measured microorganism concentration.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein measuring the microorganism concentration of the fluid associated with the wellbore comprises measuring the microorganism concentration downhole or measuring the microorganism concentration in a produced fluid.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein forming the biocide in the wellbore from the precursor biocide comprises exposing the precursor biocide to carbonic acid in the wellbore.
15 . A system for providing a biocide to a wellbore, the system comprising:
an injection pump in fluid communication with a precursor biocide, the precursor biocide comprising at least one of acrolein diethyl acetal, acrolein ethylene glycol acetal, or 3-hydroxypropanal; and
wellbore piping in fluid communication with the injection pump and configured to provide the precursor biocide to a downhole location.