Use of olefinic ester compositions in oil and gas fields
Compositions for stimulating hydrocarbon production from a subterranean formation are generally disclosed. In some embodiments, such compositions include olefinic ester compounds, such as alkyl esters of C10-18 unsaturated fatty acids. In some embodiments, the olefinic ester compounds are derived from a natural oil or a natural oil derivative, for example, by catalytic olefin metathesis. Uses of such compounds, such as in oil- and gas-production methods are also generally disclosed.
1. A method of stimulating an oil or gas well, comprising:
providing a composition comprising water, olefinic ester compounds, and saturated ester compounds, wherein the olefinic ester compounds comprise methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl esters of C 10-12 carboxylic acids having one carbon-carbon double bond, wherein a weight-to-weight ratio of the saturated ester compounds to the olefinic ester compounds ranges from 1:10 to 10:1; and
introducing the composition into an oil or gas well.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the oil or gas well is a gas well for shale gas or tight gas.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the introducing comprises injecting the composition into the oil or gas well under pressure.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition has a weight-to-weight ratio of water to the olefinic ester compounds ranging from 1:1 to 25:1.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition further comprises a terpene.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the terpene is selected from the group consisting of linacool, geraniol, nopol, α-terpineol, β-terpineol, γ-terpineol, 4 -terpineol, menthol, eucapyptol, menthone, d-limonene, terpinolene, α-ocimene, β-ocimene, α-terpinene, β-terpinene, γ-terpinene, δ-terpinene, α-pinene, β-pinene, citronellene, turpentine, and any combinations thereof.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the olefinic ester compounds comprise methyl esters of C 10-12 carboxylic acids having one carbon-carbon double bond.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the olefinic ester compounds comprise methyl 9-decenoate, methyl 9-dodecenoate, or combinations thereof.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the olefinic ester compounds comprise methyl 9-decenoate.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the olefinic ester compounds comprise methyl 9-dodecenoate.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises an oil-in-water emulsion comprising a continuous phase and a dispersed phase, wherein the olefinic ester compounds comprise at least 50 percent by weight of the dispersed phase.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises an water-in-oil emulsion comprising a continuous phase and a dispersed phase, wherein the olefinic ester compounds comprise at least 50 percent by weight of the continuous phase.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the saturated ester compound may comprise C 1-6 alkanolic esters of C 10-18 saturated fatty acids.
14. A method of treating an oil or gas well, comprising:
stimulating an oil or gas well by injecting a hydraulic fracturing fluid to an oil or gas well under hydraulic pressure; and
during or following the stimulating, introducing to the oil or gas well a flowback aid composition, which is a composition comprising water, olefinic ester compounds, and saturated ester compounds, wherein the olefinic ester compounds comprise methyl, ethyl, or isopropyl esters of C 10-12 carboxylic acids having one carbon-carbon double bond, wherein a weight-to-weight ratio of the saturated ester compounds to the olefinic ester compounds ranges from 1:10 to 10:1.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the oil or gas well is a gas well for shale gas or tight gas.
16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the flowback aid composition is a microemulsion.
17. The method of claim 14 , wherein the flowback aid composition comprises a freezing point depressant.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the freezing point depressant is selected from the group consisting of methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, propanol, ethylene glycol, 1,2-propylene glycol, 1,3-propylene glycol, and any mixtures thereof.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein the flowback aid composition comprises non-ionic surfactants, antifreeze compounds, demulsifiers, non-emulsifiers, or any combinations thereof.
20. The method of claim 14 , wherein the composition further comprises a terpene.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the terpene is selected from the group consisting of linacool, geraniol, nopol, α-terpineol, β-terpineol, γ-terpineol, 4-terpineol, menthol, eucapyptol, menthone, d-limonene, terpinolene, α-ocimene, β-ocimene, α-terpinene, β-terpinene, γ-terpinene, δ-terpinene, α-pinene, β-pinene, citronellene, turpentine, and any combinations thereof.
22. The method of claim 14 , wherein the olefinic ester compounds comprise methyl esters of C 10-12 carboxylic acids having one carbon-carbon double bond.
23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the olefinic ester compounds comprise methyl 9-decenoate, methyl 9-dodecenoate, or combinations thereof.
24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the olefinic ester compounds comprise methyl 9-decenoate.
25. The method of claim 23 , wherein the olefinic ester compounds comprise methyl 9-dodecenoate.