Patent · US Expired

Foamed viscoelastic surfactants

US7345012B2 · kind B2 · utility

12Cited by
31References
30Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 17, 2006
Grant dateMar 18, 2008
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 17, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
  • CPC primaryC09K2208/30
  • WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
  • WIPO sectorChemistry

Abstract

A method for increasing the foam stability of foams made with cationic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric viscoelastic surfactant fluid systems by adding an effective amount of an amphiphilic polymeric foam stabilizer containing at least one portion that is a partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl ester or partially hydrolyzed polyacrylate. The foam stabilizer allows foams to be used at temperatures at which the unfoamed fluids would not have stable viscosity, and allows use of lower viscoelastic surfactant concentrations in the liquid phase. Preferred surfactants are betaines and quaternary amines. The fluids are useful in oilfield treatments, for example fracturing and gravel packing.

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