Oxidative internal breaker for viscoelastic surfactant fluids

US7879770B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Lijun Lin · Sugar Land, US
• Yiyan Chen · Richmond, US
• Philip F. Sullivan · Bellaire, US
• Belgin Baser · Houston, US
• Carlos Abad · Richmond, US
• Jesse Lee · Sugar Land, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 18, 2006
• Grant date: Feb 1, 2011
• Expiry date: Apr 3, 2029

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C09K2208/26
• WIPO field: Basic materials chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

Compositions and methods are given for delayed breaking of viscoelastic surfactant gels inside formation pores, particularly for use in hydraulic fracturing. Breaking inside formation pores is accomplished without mechanical intervention or use of a second fluid. Oxidizing agents such as air, oxygen, persulfates, bromates, peroxides, and others are used. The break may be accelerated, for example with a free radical propagating species, or retarded, for example with an oxygen scavenger. In certain brines, for example bromide brines, certain zwitterionic viscoelastic fluid systems that can decarboxylate and that require an anion-containing co-surfactant undergo delayed degradation if oxygen is present, for example from fluid preparation or in a foam.