Mechanochemical Processing Technology of Natural Materials for Plugging Oil Wells in Remedial and Isolation Operations

The article discusses the use of novel mechanochemical and mechanoenzymatic technologies for the production of hybrid organic–inorganic materials for the oil industry. The physical phenomena underlying mechanochemical technologies, which determine physicochemical processes in solids and suspensions during their treatment in specialized mechanochemical and hydromechanical reactors, are examined in detail. Natural minerals, plant-based and bio-renewable raw materials, as well as chemical industry and agricultural waste, are used as feedstock for the production of well-cementing materials. Compounding synthetic polymer-based hydrogels with mechanoactivated dispersions enables the development of well-cementing materials with unique properties. The new hybrid hydrogels exhibit both viscoplastic and viscoelastic properties over a wide range of values and are used for well repair operations in oil production. Mechanochemical technologies are environmentally safe and waste-free, while mechanoenzymatic technologies can be regarded as an example of nature-inspired technologies.