Patent · US Expired

Dissolving filter cake

US7066260B2 · kind B2 · utility

96Cited by
14References
29Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateNov 14, 2003
Grant dateJun 27, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 10, 2024

Classification

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

Abstract

Methods are presented to induce a screenout during a subterranean formation fracturing or combined fracturing and gravel packing treatment having a viscoelastic surfactant-based carrier fluid by laying down a filter cake at least a portion of which is a base-soluble material, injecting proppant slurry, and causing hydrolysis and dissolution of the solid base-soluble material by adding base so that leak-off increases, the concentration of proppant in the fracture increases, and the proppant screens out. A method of gravel packing with a viscoelastic surfactant-based carrier fluid by laying down a filter cake at least a portion of which is a base-soluble material, injecting gravel, and causing hydrolysis and dissolution of the solid base-soluble material by adding base. Methods of slowing or accelerating the hydrolysis and dissolution are given, and addition of bridging-promoting materials is included.

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