Homeabouttechnologyapplicationscontact

Applications

Oil and Gas

Agienic has developed exciting new technology for the oil and gas industry

Agienic has developed exciting new technology and obtained patent protection for developments in two major areas for the oil and gas industry:

1. Antimicrobial resin coated proppants
2. Additives for inhibiting corrosion during acid treatment of wells

Antimicrobial resin coated proppants

Background

There is considerable microbial contamination of rock formations containing oil and gas
For control of microbes in hydraulic fracking operations, large quantities of biocides are periodically pumped into the wells
Unfortunately, bacteria do not remain as isolated species but can form colonies known as biofilms on proppant packs and other surfaces, similar to plaque forming on teeth
The amount of biocide required to kill the bacteria in biofilms is much larger than that required to kill isolated bacteria. Once biofilms are formed, it may not be possible to eliminate them using conventional concentrations of biocide
The effect of biofilms in decreasing flow rates is greatest in small fissures produced by fracking
Bacteria in oil and gas wells contaminate the produced hydrocarbons, lead to the production of toxic gases, increase corrosion of steels used in extracting the petroleum products, and bacterial biofilms decrease permeability and flow rate
The biocides must be transported through tiny fissures in the rocks for effective control of even isolated bacteria
Once introduced into the wells, the biocides are progressively removed with produced water and must be replenished
The introduction of biocides during fracking and their periodic replenishment during the life of the well involves considerable cost
Besides contamination of produced water and the water supply by the biocides, there is also contamination by salt which is used to increase the effectiveness of biocides
The introduction of large amounts of biocides in fracking operations poses significant environment concerns

Solution

To mitigate these concerns and costs, Agienic has introduced and patented the concept of incorporating antimicrobial agents in resin coatings on proppant particles

Such particles provided with coatings containing antimicrobial agents can be used in both on-shore and off-shore operations (fracking and gravel packing)

Once the particles are in place, the antimicrobial agents or components of these agents are progressively released from the coatings, providing antimicrobial activity over extended periods of time
The amount of biocide released from the coatings in a given time can be adjusted by tailoring the biocide and coating chemistries
Because the biocide in Agienic’s resin coated proppants is released adjacent to the proppant particles, the formation of biofilms is prevented
By preventing the formation of biofilms in the fissures created by fracking, long-term flow rates of hydrocarbons can be increased

Agienic’s patents cover the use of any antimicrobial agent in a proppant coating

Benefits

With Agienic’s approach, the antimicrobial agents are provided where they are most needed – i.e., throughout the extensive network of fissures propped open by proppant particles
Agienic’s approach can greatly decrease the need for biocide treatment and the amount of biocide used, thereby providing considerable cost savings and decreasing environmental concerns
Such reduced environmental concerns may even lead to fracking being permitted in regions where it is currently forbidden
Particles provided with coatings containing antimicrobial agents can also be used in gravel packs

Agienic’s Additives for Inhibiting Corrosion

Agienic has developed novel additives to inhibit corrosion in acid treatment of wells. Included here are:
‍
Corrosion inhibitor packages
‍
Corrosion inhibitor intensifiers which can also serve as ferric ion reducers

Agienic’s Corrosion Inhibitor (CI) Additives

Acids such as hydrochloric acids are used in well-stimulation and fracking operations, and cause extensive corrosion of steel pipes and components used in oil wells.

Agienic’s corrosion inhibitor packages have a dramatic effect in decreasing the corrosion rate of a wide range of steels in hydrochloric acid

Corrosion Inhibitor Intensifiers (CII) increase the effectiveness of corrosion inhibitors in reducing corrosion, particularly at high temperatures
Copper Iodide (CuI) is well known as a CII but suffers problems with dispersibility because of its high density and low water solubility
With Agienic’s technology, the surfaces of CII particles are modified (functionalized) to provide effective dispersibility in aqueous acidic media
Agienic’s functionalized CII particles are manufactured using an economically efficient and green process which avoids environmental contamination

Agienic’s CIIs as Ferric Ion Reducers

Agienic’s functionalized particles not only serve as corrosion inhibitor intensifiers (CII) but also can be used in formulations to reduce ferric ions and avoid their effect in producing sludge

Formulations based on Agienic’s CIIs  which contain no sulfur exhibit  comparable or superior ferric ion reduction  compared with standard ferric ion reducers containing sulfur

Agienic’s Intellectual Property
Dealing with Proppants and Oil Well Additives

US
10,400,339

Low water solubility compositions for use in corrosion protection

The invention relates to the use of surface modified low-water solubility compositions to protect metals from corrosion under acidic conditions used in fracking operations. These materials have also shown great promise as  “corrosion inhibition intensifiers” and ferric ion-control additives.

The invention relates to the use of surface modified low-water solubility compositions to protect metals from corrosion under acidic conditions used in fracking operations. These materials have also shown great promise as  “corrosion inhibition intensifiers” and ferric ion-control additives.

view patent
US
10,208,241

Resin coated proppants with antimicrobial additives

This invention relates to oilfield proppants and gravel packs coated with a polymeric coating containing an antimicrobial material.  The claims cover any antimicrobial material.

This invention relates to oilfield proppants and gravel packs coated with a polymeric coating containing an antimicrobial material.  The claims cover any antimicrobial material.

view patent
US
10,072,339

Compositions in use for corrosion protection

This invention relates to unique compositions combinations of organic corrosion inhibitors which provide outstanding protection against corrosion of metals under acidic conditions.

This invention relates to unique compositions combinations of organic corrosion inhibitors which provide outstanding protection against corrosion of metals under acidic conditions.

view patent
US
USP 9,155,310

Antimicrobial compositions for use in products for petroleum extraction, personal care, wound care and other applications

This invention relates to surface functionalized particles of select  copper salts which provide outstanding antimicrobial protection in a wide range of applications.

‍

This invention relates to surface functionalized particles of select  copper salts which provide outstanding antimicrobial protection in a wide range of applications.

‍

view patent
Street: 4541 East Fort Lowell
City: Tucson
State: Arizona
Zip Code: 85712
Country: USA
Telephone: +1 520 321-7680
Mail: contact@agienic.com
Homeabouttechnologyapplicationscontact