Shear-activated viscoelastic surfactant fluid and method
US8550161B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 14, 2012 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 14, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC09K2208/30
- WIPO fieldBasic materials chemistry
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A well treatment composition is formed from a fluid mixture of a viscoelastic surfactant and a liquid carrier fluid. The fluid mixture has rheological properties wherein the mixture exhibits shear-thickening behavior when the shear rate is increased from a first shear rate to a second higher shear rate. The fluid mixture may further include a shear activation additive that interacts with the viscoelastic surfactant to facilitate the shear-thickening behavior. The method is accomplished by introducing the fluid mixture into a wellbore formed in a subterranean formation. In certain applications, the fluid mixture may be recycled by bringing the fluid mixture to the surface and reintroducing the fluid into the same or a different wellbore.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.