Compositions containing aqueous viscosifying surfactants and methods for applying such compositions in subterranean formations
US6637517B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 17, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 28, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 5, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S507/933
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The improved recovery of hydrocarbons from subterranean formations by hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation is accomplished. Fracturing fluids using a viscosifying surfactant fluid containing viscosifying micelles, for example, wormlike micelles, are useful to improve recovery of hydrocarbons and limit the loss of fracturing fluid into the formation fracture face. The invention further relates to novel fracturing and acidizing methods useful for increasing hydrocarbon production, limiting water production, resisting fracturing fluid loss into the subterranean formation, and reducing the equipment requirements in mixing and pumping fracturing fluid. The action of viscosifying micelles of surfactant in aqueous zones of the subterranean formation diverts fracturing fluid or acid from the aqueous zones to the hydrocarbon-bearing zones and also facilitates the flowback of increased amounts of hydrocarbons once a fractured well is placed back on production. These methods selectively block the pore structure in a water-bearing zone and do not blocking the pore structure of a hydrocarbon zone at the formation face. The step for selectively blocking forms a plug of a viscous flu…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.