System stabilizers and performance enhancers for aqueous fluids gelled with viscoelastic surfactants
US7343972B2 · kind B2 · utility
32Cited by
5References
28Claims
0Family size
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Key dates
| Filing date | May 10, 2005 |
| Grant date | Mar 18, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 4, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K2208/30
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
An aqueous, viscoelastic fluid gelled with a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) is stabilized and improved with an effective amount of an alkali earth metal oxide and/or alkali earth metal hydroxide. These fluids are more stable and have reduced or no tendency to precipitate, particularly at elevated temperatures. The additives may also increase viscosity to the point where less VES is required to maintain a given viscosity. These stabilized, enhanced, aqueous viscoelastic fluids may be used as treatment fluids for subterranean hydrocarbon formations, such as in hydraulic fracturing.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.