Patent · US Expired

Compositions and methods for hydraulic fracturing

US6169058A · kind A · utility

350Cited by
140References
58Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 5, 1997
Grant dateJan 2, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 5, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S507/924
  • WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A subterranean formation is treated by introducing a fracturing treatment composition comprising a polymer treatment fluid containing a dispersion of hydrophilic water swellable particles into the formation. The water swellable particles comprise synthetic polymers that are crosslinked so that they are water insoluble, but capable of swelling in the presence of relatively small amounts of water. When used with treatment fluids containing at least a small amount of water, the particles swell and reduce fluid loss to the formation during the treatment. When used during a hydraulic fracturing treatment of a hydrocarbon bearing formation, the particles may also reduce or eliminate water production following the fracturing treatment by restricting the extension of a fracture into water-bearing formations, and/or by restricting the flow of fluids from water-bearing areas.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.