US 12,188,074 B2
Methods for reducing condensation
Wei Wang, Quincy, MA (US); Hooisweng Ow, Woburn, MA (US); and Sehoon Chang, Boston, MA (US)
Assigned to Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on Sep. 24, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/030,914.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/908,134, filed on Sep. 30, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0095318 A1, Apr. 1, 2021
Int. Cl. C12P 7/16 (2006.01); B82Y 40/00 (2011.01); C01B 33/12 (2006.01); C01C 1/08 (2006.01); C08G 61/12 (2006.01); C09K 8/524 (2006.01); C09K 8/84 (2006.01); C09K 8/86 (2006.01); E21B 43/241 (2006.01)
CPC C12P 7/16 (2013.01) [C01B 33/12 (2013.01); C01C 1/086 (2013.01); C08G 61/124 (2013.01); E21B 43/241 (2013.01); B82Y 40/00 (2013.01); C01P 2004/64 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for reducing condensate in a subsurface formation, the method comprising:
introducing a reactive mixture comprising an aqueous solution, urea, dopamine, a silica nanoparticle precursor, a silane grafting compound, and an alcohol compound into the subsurface formation;
generating ammonia through thermal decomposition of the urea;
hydrolyzing the silica nanoparticle precursor, thereby forming silica nanoparticles;
grafting the silane grafting compound onto the silica nanoparticles, thereby forming functionalized silica nanoparticles;
polymerizing the dopamine, thereby forming polydopamine; and
attaching the functionalized silica nanoparticles to the subsurface formation via the polydopamine, thereby reducing condensate in the subsurface formation.