AquaBond™ Formation Water
Reduction Technology

The U.S. oil and gas industry will spend an estimated $34.7 billion on water management in 2018.¹ Much of that is due to formation water hauling and disposal. Over the life of a well, water disposal costs can account for up to $6 million, representing up to half a well’s operating expense.² These costs are predicted to increase.

An overloaded water transportation network along with limitations and restrictions on wastewater disposal wells adds to this challenge.

Reduce Formation Water Production

Hexion’s AquaBond™ formation water reduction technology has proven to reduce formation water production by as much as 50%, while improving oil and gas production compared to offset wells. Since the technology is bonded to proppant, the water reducing property stays effective for the life of the well.

Hexion’s goal is to provide you with the most cost effective technology to address formation water production, ultimately reducing your operating expense.

For More Information: oilfield@hexion.com.

Formation Water Reduction Plan

• Pump AquaBond technology downhole using the same method as traditional proppants
• Frac water returns to the surface per typical flowback procedure
• Hydrocarbons and formation water contact the chemically altered proppant pack
• The AquaBond technology preferentially flows hydrocarbons over water
• More oil and gas (and less water) is produced to the surface

Our team will work with you through the job design to help ensure the success of the application. We will support post-job analysis to optimize future completion designs based on production data.

How It Works

The patented AquaBond formation water control technology alters the relative permeability of the proppant pack to admit hydrocarbons and limit the admission of water. The pack acts as a semi-permeable membrane to selectively allow hydrocarbons to penetrate.

Magnification of proppant pack showing AquaBond technology acting as a selective membrane.

Since the proppant pack is a porous medium, water can flow through the pack if it is the only fluid in contact with the pack. This prevents a water block scenario from occurring. The video below demonstrates how the AquaBond technology can allow water to pass through the pack, and then preferentially flow oil as soon as oil is in contact with the proppant.

The AquaBond technology proppant pack flows water until the oil (dyed blue) contacts the pack.

Granite Wash Case Study

Wells utilizing AquaBond technology in the Granite Wash realized a reduction of formation water by more than 43% compared to offset wells. Additionally, the average cumulative BOE was more than 40% higher. The water cut for the wells that used AquaBond technology was significantly lower.

Find Out More

To take control of your formation water and improve your well economics, email us at oilfield@hexion.com

References

¹Source IHS WaterIQ 2018

² Calculations made assuming 800 MBOE over the life of the well, 3 MMBBL water, and total water management cost of $2.00 per barrel