Patent · US Expired

Method for fracturing subterranean formations

US6875728B2 · kind B2 · utility

115Cited by
45References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 30, 2001
Grant dateApr 5, 2005
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 6, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S507/922
  • WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method of fracturing a formation with a fracturing fluid wherein the formation has particulate material that swells or migrates upon exposure to the fracturing fluid comprises preparing a fracturing fluid comprising (1) a thickening compound comprising a first surfactant selected from the group consisting of a cationic surfactant having only a single cationic group, an amphoteric surfactant and a mixture thereof; and, an anionic surfactant; and, (2) water, wherein no or essentially no inorganic salt is added to the fracturing fluid; and using the fracturing fluid to fracture the formation. A method for recycling a fracturing fluid is also provided.

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