Compositions And Methods For Treating Subterranean Formations

Abstract

The disclosure generally refers to compositions and methods for treating subterranean formations that improve the recovery of hydrocarbons from the subterranean formations. The compositions include positively and negatively charged nanoparticles suspended in a carrier fluid that is not a drilling fluid and is free of cement and foaming agents. The populations of nanoparticles may be of different sizes, different materials, and comprise different ratios. The composition may also include: surface-active agents, such as surfactants, polymers; detergents; crystal modifiers; stabilizers, or hydronium. In some embodiments, the surface-active agents may bind to the surface of the positively or negatively charged nanoparticles. A subterranean formation may then be injected with the composition.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An aqueous composition comprising:
 at least one carrier fluid;   at least one populations of positively charged nanoparticles; and   at least one populations of negatively charged nanoparticles,   wherein the aqueous composition is not a drilling fluid, and is free of cement and foaming agents.   
     
     
         2 . The aqueous composition of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least two populations of positively charged nanoparticles, wherein the at least two populations of positively charged nanoparticles have different sizes and/or are different materials; and/or   at least two populations of negatively charged nanoparticles, wherein the at least two populations of negatively charged nanoparticles have different sizes and/or are different materials.   
     
     
         3 . The aqueous composition of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a detergent;   a surface-active agent comprising a polymer or a surfactant;   an alcohol; and   a salt.   
     
     
         4 . The aqueous composition of  claim 3 , wherein the surface-active agent is selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone, fatty acid salts, sulfates, sulfonates, phosphoric surfactants, alkyl-ammoniums, alkyl-amines, fatty amine surfactants, quaternary ammonium surfactant, dodecyl benzene sulfonate, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, an alkyl ether sulfate surfactant, a dodecyl benzene sulfonate surfactant, and an alpha olefin sulfonate surfactant, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The aqueous composition of  claim 3 , wherein the detergent is Triton X-100, Tween 20, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The aqueous composition of  claim 1 , wherein the positively charged nanoparticles or the negatively charged nanoparticles have a size from about 1 to about 1000 nanometers. 
     
     
         7 . The aqueous composition of  claim 1 , wherein the total amount of the positively charged nanoparticles and the negatively charged nanoparticles in the aqueous composition is from about 0.001 wt % to about 5 wt %. 
     
     
         8 . The aqueous composition of  claim 1 , wherein the total amount of the surface-active agent is from about 0.001 wt % to about 5 wt %. 
     
     
         9 . The aqueous composition of  claim 1 , wherein the pH of the composition is less than 7. 
     
     
         10 . The aqueous composition of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of positively charged nanoparticles to negatively charged nanoparticles is about 1:1. 
     
     
         11 . The aqueous composition of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of positively charged nanoparticles to negatively charged nanoparticles is greater than 1:1. 
     
     
         12 . The aqueous composition of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of positively charged nanoparticles to negatively charged nanoparticles is less than 1:1. 
     
     
         13 . The aqueous composition of  claim 1 , further comprising hydronium. 
     
     
         14 . The aqueous composition of  claim 1 , wherein the positively and negatively charged nanoparticles include elements selected from the group consisting of aluminum, carbon, chromium, cobalt, copper, gold, iron, magnesium, nickel, platinum, silicon, silver, tin, titanium, and zinc, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The aqueous composition of  claim 1 , wherein the positively and negatively charged nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of Al 2 O 3 , Al(OH) 3 , BaCO 3 , BaTiO 3 , BaSO 4 , Bi 2 O 3 , CaCO 3 , CdS, CeO 2 , CoFe 2 O 4 , COO, Co 2 O 3 , CO 3 O 4 , Cr 3 C 2 , CrN, Cr 2 O 3 , CuO, Cu 2 O, Cu(OH) 2 , CuS, Fe 2 O 3 , Fe 3 O 4 , MgCO 3 , Mg 3 N 2 , MgO, Mg(OH) 2 , MgCO 3 , Mo 2 C, MoS 2 , MoSi 2 , MnFe 2 O 4 , MnO 2 , Mn 3 O 4 , NbC, Ni(OH) 2 , NiO, SiC, Si 3 N 4 , SiO 2 , SnO 2 , SrCO 3 , SrTiO 3 , TiC, TiO 2 , ZnO, ZnCO 3 , ZrO 2 , and Zr(OH) 4 , or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The aqueous composition of  claim 1 , wherein the first carrier fluid or the second carrier fluid is a water-based carrier fluid or an oil-based carrier fluid. 
     
     
         17 . The aqueous composition of  claim 1 , wherein the salt is selected from the group consisting of NaCl, CaCl 2 , KCl, and MgCl 2 , or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The aqueous composition of  claim 1 , further comprising an extractable hydrocarbon. 
     
     
         19 . The aqueous composition of  claim 1 , further comprising two or more carrier fluids. 
     
     
         20 . A method of treating a subterranean formation, comprising injecting into the subterranean formation an aqueous composition of  claim 1 .