Methods and compositions for fracturing subterranean formations
US8188015B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 2010 |
| Grant date | May 29, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K2208/30
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
Viscoelastic surfactant (VES) gelled aqueous fluids containing water, a VES, an internal breaker, a VES stabilizer, a fluid loss control agent and a viscosity enhancer are useful as treating fluids and particularly as fracturing fluids for subterranean formations. These VES-based fluids have faster and more complete clean-up than polymer-based fracturing fluids. The use of an internal breaker permits ready removal of the unique VES micelle based pseudo-filter cake with several advantages including reducing the typical VES loading and total fluid volume since more VES fluid stays within the fracture, generating a more optimum fracture geometry for enhanced reservoir productivity, and treating reservoirs with permeability above the present VES limit of approximately 400 md to at least 2000 md.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.