CA2257697C - Foam-fluid for fracturing subterranean formations - Google Patents
Foam-fluid for fracturing subterranean formations Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2257697C CA2257697C CA002257697A CA2257697A CA2257697C CA 2257697 C CA2257697 C CA 2257697C CA 002257697 A CA002257697 A CA 002257697A CA 2257697 A CA2257697 A CA 2257697A CA 2257697 C CA2257697 C CA 2257697C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fluid
- surfactant
- water
- foaming agent
- anionic surfactant
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C09—DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- C09K—MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C09K8/00—Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
- C09K8/60—Compositions for stimulating production by acting on the underground formation
- C09K8/62—Compositions for forming crevices or fractures
- C09K8/70—Compositions for forming crevices or fractures characterised by their form or by the form of their components, e.g. foams
- C09K8/703—Foams
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S507/00—Earth boring, well treating, and oil field chemistry
- Y10S507/922—Fracture fluid
Landscapes
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Emulsifying, Dispersing, Foam-Producing Or Wetting Agents (AREA)
- Fire-Extinguishing Compositions (AREA)
- Excavating Of Shafts Or Tunnels (AREA)
Abstract
A fracturing fluid for use in fracturing subterranean formations surrounding oil and gas wells comprises water, an anionic surfactant, and a cationic surfactant.
Description
FOAM-FLUID FOR FRACTURING SLJ13TF,RRANCAN hORMATIONS
F.~eld of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of fluids for f i~acturi ng subterranean formations, such as the formations surrounding oil or gas wells, to increase their permeability, and thereby increase the potential flow of recoverable hydrocarbons therefrom.
~~ground of the Invention In order to improve the recovery of hydrocarbons from of 1 and gas wells, the subterranean formations surrounding such wells can be fractured. That is, fluid can be introduced into the formations through the well bores, under high pressure, to open the pores and cracks in the formations. The fluids preferably are loaded with proppants, which are particles of hard material such as sand, to wedge open cracks or pores in the formation. and thereby permanently increase permeability and hydrocarbon flow. Therefore, the fracturing Iluids are preferably of high viscosity, and therefore capable of carrying effective volumes of proppant material.
Preferably, the fracturing fluid is susceptible of viscosity drop, so as to be easily removed from the well after fracturing. 'The fluid should also be fairly non-tonic to the well. That is, it should not leave residue that will form a cake to clog the well, or that will leave undesisrable traces in the recoverable hydrocarbons that may be expensive to remove.
Fracturing fluids in common use include aqueous gels and hydrocarbon gels, found by the introduction of cross-linkable polymers into an aqueous or hydrocarbon fluid, followed by the catalyzed cross-linking of the polymers, and the subsequent breaking of the gels, for instance by pH adjustment. These types of systems are quite effective. but rcduirc extensive well clean up.
It has been proposed, for instance in U.S. Patent No. 5,551,516, to provide a fracturing fluid with good viscosity and little residue by combining all Inorganic salt stabilizer, a surfactant/thickener and an organic salt or alcohol. The fluid may also contain a gas, and thereby be in the form of a foam. The fluid disclosed in (_J.S. Patent No. 5,551.516 develops viscosity of between 150 and 200 cp (a), 170 sec-' at temperatures of about 4()" - 50"
(', and surfactant loadings of up to about 5%.
Similar results for VISCOelaStlC sul'faCtallt fluids utilizing a single surfactant lave been reported by Brown et al in "Use of Viscoelastic Carrier Fluid in Irrac-facl<
Applications, SPI:
31114 (1996) and Stewart et al, "Use of Solids-Free Viscous C.'arrying fluid in fracturing Applications: An I~conomic and Productivity Comparison in Shallow C'omplctions" S1'l~ 301 14 ( I 994).
It is known, moreover, to utilize a surfactant in an aqueous nlcdum as the external phase IS of a COZ foam, as shown in U.S. Patent No. Re 32 302. The surfactant in such a foam may be an alkyl quaternary amine, a betain, a sulfated allcoYylate, or an etlloxylated linear alcohol. A
foam using alpha olefin sulfonate as a surfactant, with a polymer such as a guar, is shown in U.S.
Patent No. 5,556,760.
F.~eld of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of fluids for f i~acturi ng subterranean formations, such as the formations surrounding oil or gas wells, to increase their permeability, and thereby increase the potential flow of recoverable hydrocarbons therefrom.
~~ground of the Invention In order to improve the recovery of hydrocarbons from of 1 and gas wells, the subterranean formations surrounding such wells can be fractured. That is, fluid can be introduced into the formations through the well bores, under high pressure, to open the pores and cracks in the formations. The fluids preferably are loaded with proppants, which are particles of hard material such as sand, to wedge open cracks or pores in the formation. and thereby permanently increase permeability and hydrocarbon flow. Therefore, the fracturing Iluids are preferably of high viscosity, and therefore capable of carrying effective volumes of proppant material.
Preferably, the fracturing fluid is susceptible of viscosity drop, so as to be easily removed from the well after fracturing. 'The fluid should also be fairly non-tonic to the well. That is, it should not leave residue that will form a cake to clog the well, or that will leave undesisrable traces in the recoverable hydrocarbons that may be expensive to remove.
Fracturing fluids in common use include aqueous gels and hydrocarbon gels, found by the introduction of cross-linkable polymers into an aqueous or hydrocarbon fluid, followed by the catalyzed cross-linking of the polymers, and the subsequent breaking of the gels, for instance by pH adjustment. These types of systems are quite effective. but rcduirc extensive well clean up.
It has been proposed, for instance in U.S. Patent No. 5,551,516, to provide a fracturing fluid with good viscosity and little residue by combining all Inorganic salt stabilizer, a surfactant/thickener and an organic salt or alcohol. The fluid may also contain a gas, and thereby be in the form of a foam. The fluid disclosed in (_J.S. Patent No. 5,551.516 develops viscosity of between 150 and 200 cp (a), 170 sec-' at temperatures of about 4()" - 50"
(', and surfactant loadings of up to about 5%.
Similar results for VISCOelaStlC sul'faCtallt fluids utilizing a single surfactant lave been reported by Brown et al in "Use of Viscoelastic Carrier Fluid in Irrac-facl<
Applications, SPI:
31114 (1996) and Stewart et al, "Use of Solids-Free Viscous C.'arrying fluid in fracturing Applications: An I~conomic and Productivity Comparison in Shallow C'omplctions" S1'l~ 301 14 ( I 994).
It is known, moreover, to utilize a surfactant in an aqueous nlcdum as the external phase IS of a COZ foam, as shown in U.S. Patent No. Re 32 302. The surfactant in such a foam may be an alkyl quaternary amine, a betain, a sulfated allcoYylate, or an etlloxylated linear alcohol. A
foam using alpha olefin sulfonate as a surfactant, with a polymer such as a guar, is shown in U.S.
Patent No. 5,556,760.
The object of the present invention is to provide a fl'tICtU1'Illg 1<)alll tlllll%lllg an anionic surfactant in combination with a cationic surfactant, in water, as an external phase which at total loadings of up to about 6%, but usually less than I °/,, surfactal delivers viscosity at 1 ()" - 70°C.'.
The applicant has found that a combination of an anionic surlactant, such as sodium xylene sulfonate, Wltll a Cationic surfactant stICl7 aS N, N, N, trllllethyl-I -(lCtadCCalll<llllllll chloride will form a viscoelastic gel very duickly, and can be mixed batch-wise in advance, or on-the-fly for use as a fracturing fluid. Inorganic salts may be added as stabilizers, but these are not strictly necessary.
At fairly low total surfactant loadings, foams are favorahl~~ formed, using, by volume, 50% - 96%, or more of CO,.
For instance, a loading of 3 L/m' of each of a cationic surfactant such as N, N, N, trimethyl-l -octadecamonium chloride and an anionic surfactant such as sodium xylencsulfonate, with no additional foaming agent, yields a gel with 25 cp viscosity at room temperature, and favorable foaming characteristics.
In a broad aspect, then, the present invention relates to a fiwcturing foam for use in fracturing subterranean formations surrounding oil and gas wells comprising water, all alllolllc surfactant, and a cationic surfactant, and from 53% to 96°/« or more of C.OZ by volume.
-3_ Brief Description of the Drawing The drawing that illustrates the present invention by way of example, I' figure 1, is a graph of viscosity at combined surfactant concentrations against temperature.
Detailed Descri tp ion The present invention provides a viscoclastic Fracturing (eam capable of achieving high viscosity at a wide range of temperature. An anionic surfactant, such as sodium xylcnc sup fonate is combined with a cationic surfactant, such as N, N, N, trimcthyl-1-octadecamonium chloride, in water, in ratios of from about 1:4 to about 4:1 by volume, to obtain a clear visco-elastic gel capable of proppant transport. Other anionic and/or cationic surfactants may he used as will be obvious to one skilled in the art. The gel can be batch-mixed c»- mixed on-the-(ly. ~fhe gel exhibits a fairly low surface tension, in the area of about 30 dynes/cm,, which aids in rapid flow-back for cleaning up the well after fracturing. 'I'I~e gel is then mixed with from Ss'~a to 9(~~ or more COZ to form a foam.
The gel exhibits good foaming characteristics at low loadings c>f about 3 1,/ln' of each of the anionic and cationic surfactants.
Referring to Figure l, achieved viscosity of the viscoelastic gel of the present invention is illustrated, at given cationic surfactant (FCC-1 X) concentrations.
Corrcspondlng F1171oI11C
surfactant (FAC-2X) concentrations are as set out below in ~l~a,le 1.
onl3l.r: 1 PAC-1X FnC-1X FnC'-?X (~n(v-?X
L/ln' % L/m ' ,a 3.0 0.3 3.0 0.3 7.0 0.7 5.5 0.55 10.0 1.0 8.0 0.8 15.0 1.5 10.O l .(I
20.0 2.0 1 3.0 l . ;
25.0 2.5 14.5 1.~IS
30.0 3.0 1 R.0 l .R
35.0 3.5 20.0 2,() 40.0 4.0 20.5 2.05 In each case, the surfactant were mixed with water, and blended together with an overhead blender at low speed. The resulting fluid was placed in a pressured Mann 50 rheometer, where viscosity was measured over a measured range of temperatures.
It will be understood that the data presented in Figure 1 is evcnylary in nature. ns can be seen from Figure l, however, a wide range of concentrations of anionic and cationic surfactants will result in gels haVlIlg hlgh VISCOSItIes. ~l'he gels of louver viscosities have been surprisingly found to foam effective proppant transporting foams with the addition of COZ in quantities of 53% - 96% by volume.
It will be understood that other gases, such as nitrogen, may he freely substituted for CO, in the present invention.
The aqueous two surfactant fluid of the present invention was tested («r foaming capability according to the following procedure:
I. 250 ml I-I20 was placed in a blender;
2. anionic surfactant was added (sodium xylcne sul(onate);
3. foamer added (if applicable);
The applicant has found that a combination of an anionic surlactant, such as sodium xylene sulfonate, Wltll a Cationic surfactant stICl7 aS N, N, N, trllllethyl-I -(lCtadCCalll<llllllll chloride will form a viscoelastic gel very duickly, and can be mixed batch-wise in advance, or on-the-fly for use as a fracturing fluid. Inorganic salts may be added as stabilizers, but these are not strictly necessary.
At fairly low total surfactant loadings, foams are favorahl~~ formed, using, by volume, 50% - 96%, or more of CO,.
For instance, a loading of 3 L/m' of each of a cationic surfactant such as N, N, N, trimethyl-l -octadecamonium chloride and an anionic surfactant such as sodium xylencsulfonate, with no additional foaming agent, yields a gel with 25 cp viscosity at room temperature, and favorable foaming characteristics.
In a broad aspect, then, the present invention relates to a fiwcturing foam for use in fracturing subterranean formations surrounding oil and gas wells comprising water, all alllolllc surfactant, and a cationic surfactant, and from 53% to 96°/« or more of C.OZ by volume.
-3_ Brief Description of the Drawing The drawing that illustrates the present invention by way of example, I' figure 1, is a graph of viscosity at combined surfactant concentrations against temperature.
Detailed Descri tp ion The present invention provides a viscoclastic Fracturing (eam capable of achieving high viscosity at a wide range of temperature. An anionic surfactant, such as sodium xylcnc sup fonate is combined with a cationic surfactant, such as N, N, N, trimcthyl-1-octadecamonium chloride, in water, in ratios of from about 1:4 to about 4:1 by volume, to obtain a clear visco-elastic gel capable of proppant transport. Other anionic and/or cationic surfactants may he used as will be obvious to one skilled in the art. The gel can be batch-mixed c»- mixed on-the-(ly. ~fhe gel exhibits a fairly low surface tension, in the area of about 30 dynes/cm,, which aids in rapid flow-back for cleaning up the well after fracturing. 'I'I~e gel is then mixed with from Ss'~a to 9(~~ or more COZ to form a foam.
The gel exhibits good foaming characteristics at low loadings c>f about 3 1,/ln' of each of the anionic and cationic surfactants.
Referring to Figure l, achieved viscosity of the viscoelastic gel of the present invention is illustrated, at given cationic surfactant (FCC-1 X) concentrations.
Corrcspondlng F1171oI11C
surfactant (FAC-2X) concentrations are as set out below in ~l~a,le 1.
onl3l.r: 1 PAC-1X FnC-1X FnC'-?X (~n(v-?X
L/ln' % L/m ' ,a 3.0 0.3 3.0 0.3 7.0 0.7 5.5 0.55 10.0 1.0 8.0 0.8 15.0 1.5 10.O l .(I
20.0 2.0 1 3.0 l . ;
25.0 2.5 14.5 1.~IS
30.0 3.0 1 R.0 l .R
35.0 3.5 20.0 2,() 40.0 4.0 20.5 2.05 In each case, the surfactant were mixed with water, and blended together with an overhead blender at low speed. The resulting fluid was placed in a pressured Mann 50 rheometer, where viscosity was measured over a measured range of temperatures.
It will be understood that the data presented in Figure 1 is evcnylary in nature. ns can be seen from Figure l, however, a wide range of concentrations of anionic and cationic surfactants will result in gels haVlIlg hlgh VISCOSItIes. ~l'he gels of louver viscosities have been surprisingly found to foam effective proppant transporting foams with the addition of COZ in quantities of 53% - 96% by volume.
It will be understood that other gases, such as nitrogen, may he freely substituted for CO, in the present invention.
The aqueous two surfactant fluid of the present invention was tested («r foaming capability according to the following procedure:
I. 250 ml I-I20 was placed in a blender;
2. anionic surfactant was added (sodium xylcne sul(onate);
3. foamer added (if applicable);
4. cationic surfactant added (N, N, N, trimcthyl-1-octadecamonium cl~lc>ride);
5. blender speed increased to maximum of 20 seconds;
6. foam poured onto graduated cylinder, and timer started.
Results are summarized below in Table 2. It will be understood the. that ~~ith no additional foamers or stabilizers, a foam according to tl~e present invention.
that is stable, will be easily produced. Other acceptable foams are possible with sonic conventional additives, but are such additional ingredients, with additional expense, are not considered necessary in most cases.
o.
W
0.
W
p O O O ~ W ~ Q O ~n O
m N cn cn ~n ° E~ cn .-. c~1 t~ ~n ~n ~ ° x E
o O ~ ~ ° r °0 0 0 '~ a W o 0 0 >-n o 0 --~ C'a (~l E.r r, y-- C'-~ r ~1 r~1 ~ n t~
w o E-r ~ a ~
E-r ~ z F., o c~ o °ooocn o°o o ~W°o°o 0 °o ~ C/~ E"~ N v7 N N .-~ .-~ M ~ m E"a N ~-~ C~I -~ rn o0 °_ z ~o N Vo 0.
N D W
C~; E"' M v O O~ a wOH H ~ o E"" o t;
f--~ ~ ~" Cy. Vl O O ° W ~ O
d W °~n o 0 0 ° ~ o W ° °
t~l .-, c~,l c~ t ~ f~' I O 0 ~ r-> cn ~O
OOW C
z~~ N
° o xC~~ E'' v°o ' E
°0 0 o cn ~ ;~ ° W ° °0 0 0 °p ~ o°
p.,, E..i ('~l ~n N c'~l ~--m1 ~1 m E" cue! .-. c~1 cn O~ °
H
NO~
~OO
~oO
~ H ,..~ ~ c~''u O ~ C/~ ~ V~1 O r O O O cn ~ p ,~ W ~ O O
(1.~ O H N V1 N N ~-~ ~ w x H N --~ N t~ ~n ~,~ ° X c w v a., o ° N ° =o z z ~ o ~, ~ a ~ _ d w cx ~ ~-1 W ~ ~'~' ~ ~-. H ~ ~ p U ~ -1 ~ E-3rxW a~~~ ~'~ M,~,'~ ~ w ~ ~ -H
~, ~ ~x ~ .v w ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ C~ C~ ,_] ~ ~ rn ~ C/~ ~v a a -7 O r-a ~ ,~ ~ w, W E-' O ,....~ " ~. a ' ~ C_~ E...., = > ~ ~ E
w~ W ~ ~'' W O~ ~ ~ ~ W w z ~ ,~"' W G1 ~.~ -~ d b ) W _w z E E~o~ n.
w '~' ~' Q ~ ~ c~ c,~ ~, o ~ d a ~ ~ ~ x c~ c~
3c~~ww3~3°x° 3c~~ww3~ 3°x°
'~ ° '~ p ~~ o '_"' W cW rn It will be understood then, that with no additional (oamers or stabiliocrs, a foam according to the present invention that is stable will be easily produced. Other acceptable foams are possible with some conventional additives, but are such additional ingredients, with additional expense, are not considered necessary in most cases.
_g_
Results are summarized below in Table 2. It will be understood the. that ~~ith no additional foamers or stabilizers, a foam according to tl~e present invention.
that is stable, will be easily produced. Other acceptable foams are possible with sonic conventional additives, but are such additional ingredients, with additional expense, are not considered necessary in most cases.
o.
W
0.
W
p O O O ~ W ~ Q O ~n O
m N cn cn ~n ° E~ cn .-. c~1 t~ ~n ~n ~ ° x E
o O ~ ~ ° r °0 0 0 '~ a W o 0 0 >-n o 0 --~ C'a (~l E.r r, y-- C'-~ r ~1 r~1 ~ n t~
w o E-r ~ a ~
E-r ~ z F., o c~ o °ooocn o°o o ~W°o°o 0 °o ~ C/~ E"~ N v7 N N .-~ .-~ M ~ m E"a N ~-~ C~I -~ rn o0 °_ z ~o N Vo 0.
N D W
C~; E"' M v O O~ a wOH H ~ o E"" o t;
f--~ ~ ~" Cy. Vl O O ° W ~ O
d W °~n o 0 0 ° ~ o W ° °
t~l .-, c~,l c~ t ~ f~' I O 0 ~ r-> cn ~O
OOW C
z~~ N
° o xC~~ E'' v°o ' E
°0 0 o cn ~ ;~ ° W ° °0 0 0 °p ~ o°
p.,, E..i ('~l ~n N c'~l ~--m1 ~1 m E" cue! .-. c~1 cn O~ °
H
NO~
~OO
~oO
~ H ,..~ ~ c~''u O ~ C/~ ~ V~1 O r O O O cn ~ p ,~ W ~ O O
(1.~ O H N V1 N N ~-~ ~ w x H N --~ N t~ ~n ~,~ ° X c w v a., o ° N ° =o z z ~ o ~, ~ a ~ _ d w cx ~ ~-1 W ~ ~'~' ~ ~-. H ~ ~ p U ~ -1 ~ E-3rxW a~~~ ~'~ M,~,'~ ~ w ~ ~ -H
~, ~ ~x ~ .v w ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ C~ C~ ,_] ~ ~ rn ~ C/~ ~v a a -7 O r-a ~ ,~ ~ w, W E-' O ,....~ " ~. a ' ~ C_~ E...., = > ~ ~ E
w~ W ~ ~'' W O~ ~ ~ ~ W w z ~ ,~"' W G1 ~.~ -~ d b ) W _w z E E~o~ n.
w '~' ~' Q ~ ~ c~ c,~ ~, o ~ d a ~ ~ ~ x c~ c~
3c~~ww3~3°x° 3c~~ww3~ 3°x°
'~ ° '~ p ~~ o '_"' W cW rn It will be understood then, that with no additional (oamers or stabiliocrs, a foam according to the present invention that is stable will be easily produced. Other acceptable foams are possible with some conventional additives, but are such additional ingredients, with additional expense, are not considered necessary in most cases.
_g_
Claims (35)
1. A foam fracturing fluid for use in fracturing subterranean formations surrounding oil and gas wells comprising water, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant and a gaseous foaming agent, wherein the ratio of said anionic surfactant to said cationic surfactant is in the range from about 1:1 to about 1:1.95, by volume, and wherein at total loadings of surfactant of up to about 6% by volume, said fluid delivers viscosity suitable for use as a fracturing fluid at 10° - 70°C.
2. A fluid as claimed in claim 1, wherein said anionic surfactant is sodium xylenesulfonate.
3. A fluid as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cationic surfactant is N, N, N, trimethyl-1-octadecamonium chloride.
4. A fluid as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said cationic surfactant is added to said water in a quantity of from about 2L/m3 to about 60L/m3
5. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 1-4, wherein said anionic surfactant is added to said water in quantities of about 2.0 L/m3 to about 30 L/m3.
6. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 1-5, further including an inorganic salt.
7. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 1-6,wherein said foaming agent is CO2, said foaming agent is present in a quantity, by volume, of 53%
to 96%.
to 96%.
8. A fracturing fluid for use in fracturing subterranean formations surrounding oil and gas wells comprising water, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant and a gaseous foaming agent wherein the fluid is characterized by the absence of chloroform as an emulsifier, the ratio of said anionic surfactant to said cationic surfactant is about 1:4 to about 4:1, by volume, and wherein at total loadings of surfactant of up to about 6% by volume, said fluid delivers a viscosity at 10° - 70°C in the range of 20-500 cp @ 100 sec -1.
9. A fluid as claimed in claim 8, wherein said anionic surfactant is sodium xylenesulfonate.
10. A fluid as claimed in claim 9, wherein said cationic surfactant is N, N, N, trimethyl-1-octadecamonium chloride.
11. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 8, 9 or 10 wherein said cationic surfactant is added to said water in a quantity of from about 2L/m3 to about 60L/m3.
12. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 8, 9, 10 or 11, wherein said anionic surfactant is added to said water in quantities of about 2.0 L/m3 to about 30 L/m3
13. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 8-12, further including an inorganic salt.
14. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 8-13 characterized by the absence of an emulsifier and wherein the fluid is a viscoelastic fluid.
15. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 8-14, further including a proppant.
16. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 8-15,wherein said foaming agent is CO2, said foaming agent is present in a quantity, by volume, of 53% to 96%.
17. A fracturing fluid for use in fracturing subterranean formations surrounding oil and gas wells consisting essentially of water, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant and a gaseous foaming agent, the ratio of said anionic surfactant to said cationic surfactant is about 1:4 to about 4:1, by volume, and wherein at total loadings of surfactant of up to about 6% by volume, said fluid delivers a viscosity at 10° - 70°C in the range of 20-500 cp @ 100 sec -1.
18. A fluid as claimed in claim 17, wherein said anionic surfactant is sodium xylenesulfonate.
19. A fluid as claimed in claim 18, wherein said cationic surfactant is N, N, N, trimethyl-1-octadecamonium chloride.
20. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 17, 18 or 19 wherein said cationic surfactant is added to said water in a quantity of from about 2L/m3 to about 60L/m3.
21. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 17, 18, 19 or 20, wherein said anionic surfactant is added to said water in quantities of about 2.0 L/m3 to about 30 L/m3.
22. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 17-21, further including an inorganic salt.
23. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 17-22 characterized by the absence of an emulsifier and wherein the fluid is a viscoelastic fluid.
24. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 17-23, further including a proppant.
25. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 17-24,wherein said foaming agent is CO2, said foaming agent is present in a quantity, by volume, of 53% to 96%.
26. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 17-23 or 25 wherein the fluid consists of water, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a gaseous foaming agent and a proppant.
27. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 17-23 or 25 wherein the fluid consists of water, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a gaseous foaming agent, an inorganic salt and a proppant.
28. A viscoelastic fracturing fluid for use in fracturing subterranean formations surrounding oil and gas wells comprising water, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a gaseous foaming agent and a proppant, the ratio of said anionic surfactant to said cationic surfactant is about 1:4 to about 4:1, by volume, and wherein at total loadings of surfactant of up to about 6% by volume, said fluid delivers a viscosity at 10° - 70°C in the range of 20-500 cp @
100 sec -1.
100 sec -1.
29. A fluid as claimed in claim 28, wherein said anionic surfactant is sodium xylenesulfonate.
30. A fluid as claimed in claim 29, wherein said cationic surfactant is N, N, N, trimethyl-1-octadecamonium chloride.
31. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 28, 29 or 30 wherein said cationic surfactant is added to said water in a quantity of from about 2L/m3 to about 60L/m3.
32. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 28, 29, 30 or 31, wherein said anionic surfactant is added to said water in quantities of about 2.0 L/m3 to about 30 L/m3.
33. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 28-32, further including an inorganic salt.
34. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 28-33 characterized by the absence of an emulsifier and wherein the fluid is a viscoelastic fluid.
35. A fluid as claimed in any one of claims 28-34,wherein said foaming agent is CO2, said foaming agent is present in a quantity, by volume, of 53%
to 96%.
to 96%.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002257697A CA2257697C (en) | 1998-12-31 | 1998-12-31 | Foam-fluid for fracturing subterranean formations |
| US09/474,149 US6410489B1 (en) | 1998-12-31 | 1999-12-29 | Foam-fluid for fracturing subterranean formations |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002257697A CA2257697C (en) | 1998-12-31 | 1998-12-31 | Foam-fluid for fracturing subterranean formations |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2257697A1 CA2257697A1 (en) | 2000-06-30 |
| CA2257697C true CA2257697C (en) | 2003-05-20 |
Family
ID=4163145
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002257697A Expired - Lifetime CA2257697C (en) | 1998-12-31 | 1998-12-31 | Foam-fluid for fracturing subterranean formations |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6410489B1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2257697C (en) |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8065905B2 (en) | 2007-06-22 | 2011-11-29 | Clearwater International, Llc | Composition and method for pipeline conditioning and freezing point suppression |
| US8099997B2 (en) | 2007-06-22 | 2012-01-24 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Potassium formate gel designed for the prevention of water ingress and dewatering of pipelines or flowlines |
| US8273693B2 (en) | 2001-12-12 | 2012-09-25 | Clearwater International Llc | Polymeric gel system and methods for making and using same in hydrocarbon recovery |
| RU2473585C2 (en) * | 2009-12-11 | 2013-01-27 | Бейкер Хьюз Инкорпорейтед | Viscoelastic liquids containing hydroxyethyl cellulose |
Families Citing this family (50)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5964295A (en) | 1996-10-09 | 1999-10-12 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation, Dowell Division | Methods and compositions for testing subterranean formations |
| US6435277B1 (en) | 1996-10-09 | 2002-08-20 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Compositions containing aqueous viscosifying surfactants and methods for applying such compositions in subterranean formations |
| US6258859B1 (en) | 1997-06-10 | 2001-07-10 | Rhodia, Inc. | Viscoelastic surfactant fluids and related methods of use |
| US6767869B2 (en) * | 2000-02-29 | 2004-07-27 | Bj Services Company | Well service fluid and method of making and using the same |
| EP1268976B1 (en) | 2000-04-05 | 2011-10-05 | Sofitech N.V. | Viscosity reduction of viscoelastic surfactant based fluids |
| AU2001256023A1 (en) * | 2000-05-03 | 2001-11-12 | Trican Well Service Ltd. | Fracturing fluid |
| US8785355B2 (en) | 2001-02-13 | 2014-07-22 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Viscoelastic compositions |
| GB2408506B (en) * | 2003-11-29 | 2007-06-13 | Schlumberger Holdings | Anionic viscoelastic surfactant |
| US6605570B2 (en) | 2001-03-01 | 2003-08-12 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Compositions and methods to control fluid loss in surfactant-based wellbore service fluids |
| US7084095B2 (en) | 2001-04-04 | 2006-08-01 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Methods for controlling the rheological properties of viscoelastic surfactants based fluids |
| US6908888B2 (en) | 2001-04-04 | 2005-06-21 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Viscosity reduction of viscoelastic surfactant based fluids |
| US7326670B2 (en) * | 2001-04-10 | 2008-02-05 | Bj Services Company | Well service fluid and method of making and using the same |
| US6828280B2 (en) * | 2001-08-14 | 2004-12-07 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Methods for stimulating hydrocarbon production |
| US6800592B2 (en) * | 2001-08-28 | 2004-10-05 | Intevep, S.A. | Polymer-enhanced foamable drilling fluid |
| US6915854B2 (en) * | 2001-10-02 | 2005-07-12 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Foaming agents for use in coal seam reservoirs |
| EP1728843B1 (en) | 2001-12-12 | 2009-04-08 | Clearwater International, L.L.C | Friction reducing composition and method |
| US7638468B2 (en) * | 2003-01-15 | 2009-12-29 | Bj Services Company | Surfactant based viscoelastic fluids |
| US7115546B2 (en) * | 2003-01-31 | 2006-10-03 | Bj Services Company | Acid diverting system containing quaternary amine |
| US7125825B2 (en) * | 2003-04-25 | 2006-10-24 | Tomah Products, Inc. | Amidoamine salt-based viscosifying agents and methods of use |
| CA2611803C (en) * | 2006-11-22 | 2013-03-19 | Bj Services Company | Well treatment fluid containing viscoelastic surfactant and viscosification activator |
| US7699106B2 (en) * | 2007-02-13 | 2010-04-20 | Bj Services Company | Method for reducing fluid loss during hydraulic fracturing or sand control treatment |
| US7918281B2 (en) * | 2007-03-06 | 2011-04-05 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Method of treating flow conduits and vessels with foamed composition |
| US7475730B2 (en) * | 2007-03-06 | 2009-01-13 | Bj Services Company | Method of treating well with foamed composition |
| US8691734B2 (en) | 2008-01-28 | 2014-04-08 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Method of fracturing with phenothiazine stabilizer |
| US7718582B2 (en) * | 2008-05-29 | 2010-05-18 | Bj Services Company | Method for treating subterranean formation with enhanced viscosity foam |
| US9291045B2 (en) | 2008-07-25 | 2016-03-22 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Method of fracturing using ultra lightweight proppant suspensions and gaseous streams |
| US7913762B2 (en) * | 2008-07-25 | 2011-03-29 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Method of fracturing using ultra lightweight proppant suspensions and gaseous streams |
| US20100326658A1 (en) * | 2009-06-25 | 2010-12-30 | Arthur Milne | Method and composition to increase viscosity of crosslinked polymer fluids |
| US7935661B2 (en) * | 2008-07-28 | 2011-05-03 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Method and composition to increase viscosity of crosslinked polymer fluids |
| US8205675B2 (en) | 2008-10-09 | 2012-06-26 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Method of enhancing fracture conductivity |
| US7932214B2 (en) | 2008-11-14 | 2011-04-26 | Clearwater International, Llc | Foamed gel systems for fracturing subterranean formations, and methods for making and using same |
| US20110028354A1 (en) * | 2009-02-10 | 2011-02-03 | Hoang Van Le | Method of Stimulating Subterranean Formation Using Low pH Fluid Containing a Glycinate Salt |
| US20100204069A1 (en) * | 2009-02-10 | 2010-08-12 | Hoang Van Le | METHOD OF STIMULATING SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION USING LOW pH FLUID |
| US8196662B2 (en) * | 2009-11-17 | 2012-06-12 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Surfactant based viscoelastic fluids and methods of using the same |
| US8419948B2 (en) * | 2009-11-22 | 2013-04-16 | United Laboratories International, Llc | Wastewater treatment |
| US8669213B2 (en) | 2010-03-31 | 2014-03-11 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Method of servicing a wellbore with an aqueous gel containing a friction reducer |
| US8524639B2 (en) | 2010-09-17 | 2013-09-03 | Clearwater International Llc | Complementary surfactant compositions and methods for making and using same |
| BR112014018885B1 (en) * | 2012-02-06 | 2021-08-24 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | METHOD OF FRACTURING AN UNDERGROUND FORMATION |
| US9429006B2 (en) | 2013-03-01 | 2016-08-30 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Method of enhancing fracture conductivity |
| CA2901517C (en) | 2013-03-08 | 2017-08-29 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Method of enhancing the complexity of a fracture network within a subterranean formation |
| MX2016002657A (en) | 2013-09-26 | 2016-06-06 | Baker Hughes Inc | Method of optimizing conductivity in a hydraulic fracturing operation. |
| US9976390B2 (en) | 2015-03-30 | 2018-05-22 | Baker Hughes, A Ge Company, Llc | Drilling fluids with leakoff control and drill cuttings removal sweeps |
| WO2019232341A1 (en) | 2018-05-31 | 2019-12-05 | Baker Hughes, A Ge Company, Llc | Method of fracturing with natural gas |
| WO2021016515A1 (en) | 2019-07-24 | 2021-01-28 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | Oxidizing gasses for carbon dioxide-based fracturing fluids |
| WO2021138355A1 (en) | 2019-12-31 | 2021-07-08 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | Viscoelastic-surfactant fracturing fluids having oxidizer |
| US11352548B2 (en) | 2019-12-31 | 2022-06-07 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | Viscoelastic-surfactant treatment fluids having oxidizer |
| US11542815B2 (en) | 2020-11-30 | 2023-01-03 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | Determining effect of oxidative hydraulic fracturing |
| US12071589B2 (en) | 2021-10-07 | 2024-08-27 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | Water-soluble graphene oxide nanosheet assisted high temperature fracturing fluid |
| US12025589B2 (en) | 2021-12-06 | 2024-07-02 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | Indentation method to measure multiple rock properties |
| US12012550B2 (en) | 2021-12-13 | 2024-06-18 | Saudi Arabian Oil Company | Attenuated acid formulations for acid stimulation |
Family Cites Families (43)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3361213A (en) | 1965-09-13 | 1968-01-02 | Mobil Oil Corp | Method of decreasing friction loss in turbulent liquids |
| JPS4926230B1 (en) | 1968-02-09 | 1974-07-06 | ||
| US3937283A (en) | 1974-10-17 | 1976-02-10 | The Dow Chemical Company | Formation fracturing with stable foam |
| US4007792A (en) * | 1976-02-02 | 1977-02-15 | Phillips Petroleum Company | Hydraulic fracturing method using viscosified surfactant solutions |
| US4113631A (en) | 1976-08-10 | 1978-09-12 | The Dow Chemical Company | Foaming and silt suspending agent |
| US4061580A (en) | 1976-09-08 | 1977-12-06 | The Lubrizol Corporation | Thickened aqueous compositions for well treatment |
| US4148736A (en) | 1976-09-30 | 1979-04-10 | Phillips Petroleum Company | Oil recovery process using viscosified surfactant solutions |
| US4165825A (en) | 1977-08-15 | 1979-08-28 | Southern Can Company | Tiltable valve member for pressurized containers |
| US4360061A (en) | 1980-04-03 | 1982-11-23 | Exxon Research And Engineering Co. | Oil recovery process using polymer microemulsion complexes |
| US4354552A (en) | 1980-09-08 | 1982-10-19 | The Dow Chemical Company | Slurry concentrator |
| US4725372A (en) | 1980-10-27 | 1988-02-16 | The Dow Chemical Company | Aqueous wellbore service fluids |
| US4615825A (en) | 1981-10-30 | 1986-10-07 | The Dow Chemical Company | Friction reduction using a viscoelastic surfactant |
| CA1185779A (en) | 1982-07-12 | 1985-04-23 | Arthur S. Teot | Aqueous wellbore service fluids |
| USRE32302E (en) | 1982-10-25 | 1986-12-09 | Halliburton Company | Fracturing method for stimulation of wells utilizing carbon dioxide based fluids |
| GB8317696D0 (en) | 1983-06-29 | 1983-08-03 | Shell Int Research | Preparing xanthomonas heteroplysaccharide |
| US4880565A (en) | 1983-08-31 | 1989-11-14 | The Dow Chemical Company | Fluorine containing viscoelastic surfactants |
| US4770814A (en) | 1983-08-31 | 1988-09-13 | The Dow Chemical Company | Shear stable antimisting formulations |
| US4695389A (en) | 1984-03-16 | 1987-09-22 | Dowell Schlumberger Incorporated | Aqueous gelling and/or foaming agents for aqueous acids and methods of using the same |
| US4735731A (en) | 1984-06-15 | 1988-04-05 | The Dow Chemical Company | Process for reversible thickening of a liquid |
| US4796702A (en) * | 1984-06-25 | 1989-01-10 | Petrolite Corporation | Multipurpose aqueous foamer |
| US5258137A (en) | 1984-12-24 | 1993-11-02 | The Dow Chemical Company | Viscoelastic surfactant based foam fluids |
| DE3501639A1 (en) | 1985-01-19 | 1986-07-24 | Hoechst Ag, 6230 Frankfurt | ETHERAMINOXIDES, METHOD FOR THE PRODUCTION THEREOF AND THE USE THEREOF AS TENSIDES FOR THE TERTIAL OIL PRODUCTION |
| CA1266600A (en) | 1986-06-16 | 1990-03-13 | Gene D. Rose | Process for reversible thickening of a liquid |
| US5093448A (en) | 1987-12-21 | 1992-03-03 | Exxon Research And Engineering Company | Polymerizable cationic visco-elastic monomer fluids |
| US5036136A (en) | 1987-12-21 | 1991-07-30 | Exxon Research And Engineering Company | Mixtures of colloidal rod-like viscoelastic fluids and anionic-alkyl containing copolymers |
| US4911241A (en) | 1989-01-27 | 1990-03-27 | Dowell Schlumberger Incorporated | Constant viscosity foam |
| US4975482A (en) | 1989-08-18 | 1990-12-04 | Exxon Research & Engineering Company | Viscoelastic fluids formed through the interaction of polymerizable vesicles and alkyl-containing polymers (C-2381) |
| US5101903A (en) | 1990-09-04 | 1992-04-07 | Akzo Nv | Method for modifying the permeability of an underground formation |
| US5246072A (en) * | 1991-08-14 | 1993-09-21 | Chevron Research And Technology Company | Method for enhancing the recovery of petroleum from an oil-bearing formation using a mixture including anionic and cationic surfactants |
| ZA935882B (en) | 1992-10-19 | 1994-03-11 | Clorox Co | Composition and method for developing extensional viscosity in cleaning compositions. |
| US5566760A (en) | 1994-09-02 | 1996-10-22 | Halliburton Company | Method of using a foamed fracturing fluid |
| US5551516A (en) | 1995-02-17 | 1996-09-03 | Dowell, A Division Of Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Hydraulic fracturing process and compositions |
| US6106700A (en) | 1995-11-14 | 2000-08-22 | United Laboratories International, Llc | Method of treating crude oil with an amine oxide compound |
| US5964295A (en) | 1996-10-09 | 1999-10-12 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation, Dowell Division | Methods and compositions for testing subterranean formations |
| FR2757426B1 (en) * | 1996-12-19 | 1999-01-29 | Inst Francais Du Petrole | WATER-BASED FOAMING COMPOSITION - MANUFACTURING METHOD |
| US6258859B1 (en) | 1997-06-10 | 2001-07-10 | Rhodia, Inc. | Viscoelastic surfactant fluids and related methods of use |
| US6035936A (en) | 1997-11-06 | 2000-03-14 | Whalen; Robert T. | Viscoelastic surfactant fracturing fluids and a method for fracturing subterranean formations |
| US5979555A (en) | 1997-12-02 | 1999-11-09 | Akzo Nobel Nv | Surfactants for hydraulic fractoring compositions |
| US6239183B1 (en) | 1997-12-19 | 2001-05-29 | Akzo Nobel Nv | Method for controlling the rheology of an aqueous fluid and gelling agent therefor |
| US6069118A (en) | 1998-05-28 | 2000-05-30 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Enhancing fluid removal from fractures deliberately introduced into the subsurface |
| US6140277A (en) | 1998-12-31 | 2000-10-31 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Fluids and techniques for hydrocarbon well completion |
| US6283212B1 (en) | 1999-04-23 | 2001-09-04 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Method and apparatus for deliberate fluid removal by capillary imbibition |
| AU5793600A (en) | 1999-09-22 | 2001-03-29 | Baker Hughes Incorporated | Hydraulic fracturing using non-ionic surfactant gelling agent |
-
1998
- 1998-12-31 CA CA002257697A patent/CA2257697C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1999
- 1999-12-29 US US09/474,149 patent/US6410489B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US8273693B2 (en) | 2001-12-12 | 2012-09-25 | Clearwater International Llc | Polymeric gel system and methods for making and using same in hydrocarbon recovery |
| US8065905B2 (en) | 2007-06-22 | 2011-11-29 | Clearwater International, Llc | Composition and method for pipeline conditioning and freezing point suppression |
| US8099997B2 (en) | 2007-06-22 | 2012-01-24 | Weatherford/Lamb, Inc. | Potassium formate gel designed for the prevention of water ingress and dewatering of pipelines or flowlines |
| RU2473585C2 (en) * | 2009-12-11 | 2013-01-27 | Бейкер Хьюз Инкорпорейтед | Viscoelastic liquids containing hydroxyethyl cellulose |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US6410489B1 (en) | 2002-06-25 |
| CA2257697A1 (en) | 2000-06-30 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CA2257697C (en) | Foam-fluid for fracturing subterranean formations | |
| CA2257699C (en) | Fluids for fracturing subterranean formations | |
| AU2002231958C1 (en) | Viscoelastic compositions | |
| US7932214B2 (en) | Foamed gel systems for fracturing subterranean formations, and methods for making and using same | |
| US6929070B2 (en) | Compositions and methods for treating a subterranean formation | |
| EP2619280B1 (en) | Tethered polymers used to enhance the stability of microemulsion fluids | |
| US7036590B2 (en) | Two stage subterranean zone fracturing fluids and methods | |
| US7345012B2 (en) | Foamed viscoelastic surfactants | |
| CA2528696C (en) | Method and composition for treating a subterranean formation with splittable foams | |
| US9695353B2 (en) | Foamed fracturing fluids and methods for treating hydrocarbon bearing formations | |
| AU2002231958A1 (en) | Viscoelastic compositions | |
| MXPA06005496A (en) | Carbon dioxide foamed fluids. | |
| US20020039972A1 (en) | Fracturing method using aqueous or acid based fluids | |
| US6113809A (en) | Use of a high purity imidazoline based amphoacetates as surface active agents | |
| US3653440A (en) | Secondary and tertiary oil recovery process | |
| US6268314B1 (en) | Foamable gel composition | |
| US4741844A (en) | Liquid composition and method of use for producing a foamed stimulation fluid for oil and gas wells | |
| CA2354789C (en) | Fracturing method using aqueous or acid based fluids | |
| EP0523112B1 (en) | Branched ether surfactants and their use in an enhanced oil recovery process | |
| CA1301443C (en) | Carbon dioxide systems for hydraulic fracturing of hydrocarbon reservoirs | |
| CA2356081A1 (en) | Foamed nitrogen in liquid co2 for fracturing | |
| GB2175942A (en) | Fracturing compositions and their use |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20181231 |