CA2354789C - Fracturing method using aqueous or acid based fluids - Google Patents

Fracturing method using aqueous or acid based fluids Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2354789C
CA2354789C CA 2354789 CA2354789A CA2354789C CA 2354789 C CA2354789 C CA 2354789C CA 2354789 CA2354789 CA 2354789 CA 2354789 A CA2354789 A CA 2354789A CA 2354789 C CA2354789 C CA 2354789C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
fluid
acid
group
surfactant
sulfonate
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 - Fee Related
Application number
CA 2354789
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2354789A1 (en
Inventor
Travis L. Allan
Junad Amin
Alan K. Olson
Ronald G. Pierce
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Calfrac Well Services Ltd
Original Assignee
CHEMERGY Ltd
Calfrac Well Services Ltd
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from CA002315544A external-priority patent/CA2315544A1/en
Application filed by CHEMERGY Ltd, Calfrac Well Services Ltd filed Critical CHEMERGY Ltd
Priority to CA 2354789 priority Critical patent/CA2354789C/en
Publication of CA2354789A1 publication Critical patent/CA2354789A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2354789C publication Critical patent/CA2354789C/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C09DYES; PAINTS; POLISHES; NATURAL RESINS; ADHESIVES; COMPOSITIONS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • C09KMATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
    • C09K8/00Compositions for drilling of boreholes or wells; Compositions for treating boreholes or wells, e.g. for completion or for remedial operations
    • C09K8/60Compositions for stimulating production by acting on the underground formation
    • C09K8/62Compositions for forming crevices or fractures
    • C09K8/72Eroding chemicals, e.g. acids
    • C09K8/74Eroding chemicals, e.g. acids combined with additives added for specific purposes

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • General 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)
  • Lubricants (AREA)

Abstract

An improved method .and fracturing fluid for hydraulic fracturing of a subterranean formation, the fracturing fluid comprising a surfactant, a water soluble or dispersible anionic organic salt, an acid and a low molecular weight organic solvent.

Description

FRACTURING METHOD USING AQUEOUS OR ACID BASED FLUIDS
Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of fracturing fluids, in particular, surfactant based fracturing fluids.
Background of the Invention A fracturing fluid is a fluid that is pumped into a hydrocarbon-bearing reservoir in a geological formation under high pressure to open fractures in the formation, thereby to facilitate the flow of hydrocarbons from the formation. Fracturing fluids are preferably viscous, so as to be able to carry proppants into the fractures that are forced open in the formation.
Conventional fracturing fluids contain high molecular weight polysaccharides based polymers, as gelling agents. These polymers are associated with build-up of filter cake on the fracture face. If the filter cake is not completely removed, it will impede flow of reservoir fluid and hence reduce the effectiveness of the fracture.
Control and limiting of residual filter cake becomes extremely important when dealing with problematic formations. Alternative to the conventional polymeric system is the novel development of the present invention.
The present invention is ~~ non-polymeric visco-elastic system. The system is based on surfactant chemistry. Although surfactant based systems have been employed in gravel packing operations since the early 1980s (SPE 17168), further development and refinement of surfactant chemistry has yielded surfactant based fracturing fluids. Some of these techniques are discussed and revealed in Canadian Patent No. 1,298,697 and U.S. Patent No. 5,964,295.
The advantage of a surfactant based fracturing fluid over a polymeric gel based fluid is that micelle formation in surfactant fluids is virtually instantaneous, but does not alter the actual chemical composition of the fluid. That is, once a critical concentration of surfactant molecules is reached, they will aggregate as micelles, thereby increasing the viscosity of the fluid, but without changing the chemical composition. Therefore, no chemical initiator is required, and viscosity increase occurs uniformly throughout the fluid.
The key to the present invention therefore is the novel use of amphoteric glycinate surfactant, as an additive. In acidic conditions, the glycinate exhibits cationic properties. When the glycinate is combined in proper ratio with anionic salt such as Sodium Xylene Sulfonate in a neutral to acidic environment of an aqueous stimulation fluid (water or acid) it is believed to form highly structured three dimensional micelles. The interference/interaction of the micelles imparts the desired viscoelastic properties to the stimulation fluid. The required cationic activity of the glycinate is ensured by utilization of an organic acid in the formulation of the additive.
The purpose of a low molecular alcohol used in the system is to serve as a dispersability agent for making the system field friendly.
The viscoelastic properties imparted to stimulation fluid are controlled by three mechanisms:
1. By varying total additive added to the stimulation fluid (0.1-5.0% by volume);
2. By controlling the ratio between the organic/inorganic salt and the glycinate (0.15-0.6% of glycinate); and 3. By controlling or adjusting the pH of the fracturing fluid system.
Another novel use of amphoteric surfactant is the utilization of change in its ionic properties with pH to control the break viscosity lowering mechanism of the gel.
As the pH of the system is increased above 6.5 the ionic properties of the glycinate change from cationic to anionic. This change de-stabilizes the micellar structure, hence, resulting in the break of the gel, allowing for easy post frac cleanup.
In the earlier technologies, to attain a break the system had to encounter formation fluids (oil andlor water) in order to de-stabilize the gel structure. Simple adjustment in pH did not break the gel in the earlier inventions. This limited the use of the system to those wells that contained oil or those that produced condensate. In the present invention the pH of the system can be increased easily by utilization of alkaline compounds such as carbonates, oxides, amines and etc.
As the temperature of the system increases the interaction between the ion weakens, resulting in decrease in stability of the micelles. The upper limit of the gel appears to be around 65°C. The upper temperature range may be further increased by utilization with alternative salts or using a surfactant with different length of the alkyl group.
In a broad aspect, then, the present invention relates to a fracturing fluid comprising:
(i) a surfactant having the general formula R, R3N+CH2C00-where R,-R2 are each an aliphatic group of C1-C4, branched or straight chained, saturated or unsaturated, R3 is a group of C12-22, branched, straight or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated;
(ii) a water soluble or dispersible anionic organic or inorganic salt;
(iii) an acid; and (iv) a low molecular weight organic solvent wherein the viscosity of the fluid is lowered by raising the pH thereof.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a visco-elastic fluid for fracturing a subterranean formation, the viscosity of the fluid being breakable subsequent to fracturing, said visco-elastic fluid comprising:
(i) a surfactant having the general formula R, R3N+CH2C00-RZ
where R,-R2 are each an aliphatic group of C1-C4, branched or straight chained, saturated or unsaturated, R3 is a group of C12-22, branched, straight or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated;
(ii) a water soluble or dispersible anionic organic or inorganic salt;
(iii) an acid; and (iv) a low molecular weight organic solvent.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising the steps of:
providing a visco-elastic surfactant based hydraulic fracturing fluid comprising:
(i) a surfactant having the general formula R, R3N+CHZCOO-where R,-R2 are each an aliphatic group of C1-C4, branched or straight chained, saturated or unsaturated, R3 is a group of C12-22, branched, straight or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated;
(ii) a water soluble or dispersible anionic organic or inorganic salt;
-3a-(iii) an acid; and (iv) a low molecular weight organic solvent, pumping said fracturing fluid through a well bore and into a subterranean formation at a sufficient pressure to cause fracturing of said formation; and lowering the viscosity of said fluid subsequent to said fracturing to facilitate formation clean-up.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a fluid for fracturing a subterranean formation and for use with a breaker system, said fluid comprising:
(i) a surfactant having the general formula R~
R3N+CH2C00-where R,-R2 are each an aliphatic group of C1-C4, branched or straight chained, saturated or unsaturated, R3 is a group of C12-22, branched, straight or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated;
(ii) a water soluble or dispersible anionic organic or inorganic salt; and (iii) an acid.
According to yet a further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising the steps of:
providing a visco-elastic surfactant based hydraulic fracturing fluid comprising:
(i) a surfactant having the general formula -3b-R, R3N+CH2C00-wherein R,-R2 are each an aliphatic group of C1-C4, branched or straight chained, saturated or unsaturated, R3 is a group of C12-22, branched, straight chained or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated;
(ii) a water soluble or dispersible anionic organic or inorganic salt; and (iii) an acid; and (iv) a low molecular weight organic solvent, and;
pumping said fracturing fluid through a well bore and into a subterranean formation at a sufficient pressure to cause fracturing of said formation including the further step of lowering the viscosity of said fluid by raising the pH thereof.
The attached drawing is a graph of viscosity % against pH.
It will be observed, then, that the present invention is a four component system, although the four components are typically combined into a single component prior to addition to the fluid being viscosified. The primary component, the surfactant, is preferably a dihydroxyethyl tallow glycinate having the structure:
-3c-C~,6_,B~IN+CH2C00-The second component, the salt is preferably sodium xylene sulfonate.
However, other similar salts may be used, such as potassium, zinc, ammonium, magnesium (etc.) xylene or toluene sulfonate. In addition, other naphthalene backboned sulfonate salts may be used. Inorganic salts such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride (KCL) can also be used.
As to the acid component, any organic or mineral acid may be used to lower the pH below 6.5. Acids that have been found to be useful include formic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid, and so on. The preferred acid is acetic acid because it is universally available, low cost, and safe to handle.
The final component, the alcohol solvent is used to modify the viscosity of the solvent, usually water, by altering its polarity, which will result in reduced viscosity of the miscellar formations.
In an aqueous fluid, the surfactant composition of the present invention is added in a concentration of from about 0.1 % wt to about 5.0% wt. The actual composition in a preferred composition will be, for example:
Glycinate 0.65 Organic salt0.20 Acid 0.025 Solvent 0.125 Some variations, up to about 50% per component, are possible.
Unfoamed, the upper temperature limit of the present invention is about 65°C.
However, formulation of the present invention is also compatible with CO2, NZ
and C02, N2, air and low molecular weight hydrocarbon gas foams, over a temperature range of 5°C - 80°C.
The addition of Nitrogen (N2) or Carbon Dioxide (C02) as either a liquid or gas can dramatically improved the flow back characteristics of fracture fluids especially in under pressured reservoirs. Not only is the amount of fluid required for the job reduced, the hydrostatic head of the well bore fluid is lowered and the well can flow on its own. High pumping pressures will compress Nitrogen bubbles during placement of the stimulation treatment only to expand when pressures are bled off and the treatment is flowed back. The fluid contains 10-200 standard cubic metres of Nitrogen or Carbon Dioxide per cubic metre of fluid.
Liquid or gaseous C02 can also be used to act as the energizing phase, although it is pumped as a liquid and returns to surfaces as a gas. The thermodynamic properties of liquid/gaseous C02 make it a unique fluid for fracturing.
The fluid is pumped at low temperatures of typically - 5 to -25° C and it remains as a critical fluid (single phase) while the fracture is created and the proppant placed.
Liquid C02 that leaks off from the fracture quickly rises to reservoir temperature, increasing its specific volume and becoming more like a gas. When the pressure is dropped and the well is flowed the single phase fluid returns to surface as C02 vapor.
Treatment design for N2 energized fluid systems typically utilizes N2 pumped at ratios of 40 - 60 scm/m3, which means standard cubic meters of Nitrogen gas per cubic meter of fluid (water). This is normally sufficient to allow the well to flow unassisted with reservoir pressure gradients of 6 kPa/m or higher. For energized C02 systems, liquid C02 is added at equivalent ratios, once the conversion from liquid to gas is made (543 scm/m3). Combined down hole fracturing pump rates are approximately 3.5m3/min.
Foam Fracturin4 When liquid C02 is used as the energizing medium, the resulting mixture is often referred to as an emulsion, since both phases are liquids. However, herein the term foam is used for describing both N2 or Liquid or gaseous C02 foamed systems.
A foam fracture treatment consists of nitrogen (typically 75%) dispersed as small bubbles throughout a continuous liquid phase. In traditional foams, the liquid phase contains surfactants and gellants to prevent coalescence and resulting phase separation. Foam quality (N2 or Liquid C02) should range from 52 - 95% (ratio of gas volume to foam volume). Above 95% the mixture can be defined as a mist with the gas becoming the continuous phase. Below 52% there is no bubble to bubble interference and therefore a stable foam does not exist. Above 52% the gas concentration is high enough for the bubbles to interfere and deform, thereby imparting resistance to shear and increasing the viscosity of the fluid system.
Unlike conventional foams that utilize long-chained polymers to viscosify the external phase, the present invE;ntion, foamed, uses a combination of surfactants to impart viscosity to the water phase. The chemical structure that is formed produces a three-dimensional matrix of molecules that interfere with each other and raise the apparent viscosity of the base fluid system. Combined with either N2 or Liquid C02, foam viscosities are generated as a function of foam quality and the fluid system develops all of the properties desired for a fracture fluid system. The use of surfactants also produces a fluid with strong foaming tendencies that aids the return of fluids from the reservoir when foamed with the producing hydrocarbon gas.
Field Trials With depths ranging from 450 - 1600 m, trial stimulation treatments have focussed on Cretaceous sandstones that range in reservoir pressure from 2 - 7 kPa/m. Fracture fluid cleanup has been reported as superior to conventional foams utilizing polymer base gels. Some of the stimulated reservoirs include Glauconite, Dinosaur Park, Bad Heart, Viking, Belly River, Colony, Sunburst, Bluesky, Dunvegan, Mannville, and Bow Island. Long term production data is not available at this time, but comments from trial operations are very positive on fast clean-up and initial production. Also, these reservoirs represent trial stimulation work to date and do not suggest any limitations on the potential for usage on other gas-bearing reservoirs.
Tyra~ical Treatments JOB TYPE LOCATION FORMATION AVERAGE RATEPROPPANT
VOL.

FRAC GRADIENT'DEPTH AVE. PRESSUREMAX CONC.

N2 Energized 69-22W5 Bad Heart 2.8 m3/min 25 tonne CWS 400 22 kPa/m 625 m 9.5 Mpa 1070 kg/m3 C02 Energized17-24W4 Ostracod 2.8 m3/min 10 tonne CWS 400 18 kPa/m 1668 m 27.0 Mpa 1012 kg/m3 Nz Foamed 33-5W4 Colony 3.4 m3/min 15 tonne CWS 400 22 kPa/m 858 m 18.3 Mpa 743 kg/m' COz Foamed 20-26W4 Belly River 4.2 m'/min 5 tonne CWS 400 17 kPa/m 969 m 12.0 Mpa 560 kg/m3 Note: CWS 400 is the fluid of the present invention.
Post Fracture Flow Rate Comparison JOB TYPE LOCATION MEDICINE L. MILK RIVERU. MILK RIVER
HAT FLOW RATE FLOW RATE
FLOW RATE

Nz Energized 21-17W4 11,680 m'Iday2,650 m3/day1,200 m3/day Borate NZ energized 21-17W4 10,860 m'/day4,610 m3/day2,700 m3/day Lab Test Data The following examples are used to illustrate viscosifying properties of the fluid of the present invention.
Example #1 Following additives were added to the water while stirring:
Glycinate 0.520 volume Sodium Xylene Sulfonate 0.152 volume Glacial Acetic Acid 0.040 volume Isopropyl Alcohol 0.088 volume Results:
Upon completion of addition of the additives. Viscoelastic gel was observed to be present in the container. The rheological properties of the gel were measured using Brookfield LVT viscometer with spindle #1 and the guard leg attached.
Speed~,RPM~ Viscosit cP
100 10.9 60 14.T
50 16.4.
30 23.2' 29.4 12 39.5~
Example #2 Following additives were added to the water while stirring.
15 Glycinate 1.30 volume Sodium Xylene Sulfonate 0.32 volume Glacial Acetic Acid 0.10 volume Isopropyl Alcohol 0.22 volume Results:
20 Upon completion of addition of the additives. Viscoelastic gel was observed to be present in the container. The rheological properties of the gel were measured using Brookfield t_VT viscometer with spindle #1 and the guard leg attached.
Speed ~RPM~ Viscosit cP
60 71.T
50 83.5~
127.4 20 178..8 12 267. 0 1.5 592 0.6 670 0.3 740 _g_ Conclusion:
The two examples clearly demonstrate viscosifying properties of surfactants.
These viscosities are deemed sufficient for fracturing.
The novel surfactant based system of the present invention can not only be used for viscosifying water but also can be used for viscosifying mineral, organic and/or inorganic acids. The rheological properties imparted by the system will be dictated by type of acid and strength of acid being used. Typical acid used are HC1 (10-34%, Acetic Acid, Formic Acid, Sulfamic Acid, HC1/HF acid mixture etc.) Typically, viscosified acids are used in stimulation of: hydrocarbon bearing formation, water injection wells, and disposal wells to improve production or injectivity of the reservoir. Viscosified acids have an advantage over non-viscosified acid, as the reaction rate of the acid to the formation rock is proportional to viscosity of acid mixture. By retarding the acid reactivity through the gellation process, deeper acid penetration in more controlled fashion is accomplished. This typically creates better flow channels between reservoir and the well.
The viscosifying acid with surfactant alternative embodiments of the present invention has an additional advantage compared to the conventional polymer methods of viscosifying acid. That is, as the acid reaction proceeds with the formation, product from this reaction produce salts that act as a breaker to viscosified acid. This allows to cleanup-spent acid more easily.
It will also be understood by one skilled in the art that altering the ratio of additives in either embodiment of the present invention can control the rheological properties.
In order to lower the viscosity of the surfactant based fracturing fluid of the present invention, the pH of the fluid is raised by the addition of an alkaline substance such as magnesium oxide or sodium hydroxide. This effectively raises the critical micelle concentration of the fluid, resulting in disassociation of the micelles that have _g_ been formed. Accordingly, it will be understood that formation clean-up is quickly accomplished, without caking or clogging.

Claims (42)

1. A fluid for fracturing a subterranean formation comprising:
(i) a surfactant having the general formula where R1-R2 are each an aliphatic group of C1-C4, branched or straight chained, saturated or unsaturated, R3 is a group of C12-22, branched, straight or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated;
(ii) a water soluble or dispersible anionic organic or inorganic salt;
(iii) an acid; and (iv) a low molecular weight organic solvent wherein the viscosity of the fluid is lowered by raising the pH thereof.
2. A fluid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said pH is raised by the addition of an alkaline compound selected from the group consisting of carbonates, oxides and amines.
3. A fluid as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the ratio of said salt to said surfactant is in the range of 1:4 to 1:2.
4. A fluid as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein said salt is selected from the group consisting of potassium xylene sulfonate, sodium xylene sulfonate, ammonium xylene sulfonate, zinc xylene sulfonate, magnesium xylene sulfonate, sodium toluene sulfonate, potassium toluene sulfonate, zinc toluene sulfonate, ammonium toluene sulfonate, magnesium toluene sulfonate, NaCl and KCl.
5. A fluid as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of formic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid and acetic acid.
6. A fluid as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said organic solvent is a low molecular weight alcohol.
7. A fluid as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said surfactant is present in a quantity of about 0.1 % (wt) to about 5.0% (wt).
8. A fluid as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, in the form of a foam including about 52 to about 95% gas selected from the group consisting of CO2, N2, air and low molecular weight hydrocarbons.
9. A fluid as claimed in claim 8 containing 10-200 standard cubic metres of N2 per cubic metre of fluid.
10. A fluid as claimed in claim 8 containing 10-200 standard cubic metres of gaseous CO2 per cubic metre of fluid or the liquid equivalent.
11. A visco-elastic fluid for fracturing a subterranean formation, the viscosity of the fluid being breakable subsequent to fracturing, said visco-elastic fluid comprising:
(i) a surfactant having the general formula where R1-R2 are each an aliphatic group of C1-C4, branched or straight chained, saturated or unsaturated, R3 is a group of C12-22, branched, straight or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated;
(ii) a water soluble or dispersible anionic organic or inorganic salt;
(iii) an acid; and (iv) a low molecular weight organic solvent.
12. A fluid as claimed in claim 11, wherein the ratio of said salt to said surfactant is in the range of 1:4 to 1:2.
13. A fluid as claimed in claims 11 or 12, wherein said salt is selected from the group consisting of potassium xylene sulfonate, sodium xylene sulfonate, ammonium xylene sulfonate, zinc xylene sulfonate, magnesium xylene sulfonate, sodium toluene sulfonate, potassium toluene sulfonate, zinc toluene sulfonate, ammonium toluene sulfonate, magnesium toluene sulfonate, NaCl and KCl.
14. A fluid as claimed in claims 11, 12 or 13, wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of formic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid and acetic acid.
15. A fluid as claimed in claims 11, 12, 13 or 14, wherein said organic solvent is a low molecular weight alcohol.
16. A fluid as claimed in any of claims 11 to 15, wherein said surfactant is present in a quantity of about 0.1 % (wt) to about 5.0% (wt).
17. A fluid as claimed in any of claims 11 to 16, in the form of a foam including about 52 to about 95% gas selected from the group consisting of CO2, N2, air and low molecular weight hydrocarbons.
18. A fluid as claimed in claim 17 containing 10-200 standard cubic metres of per cubic metre of fluid.
19. A fluid as claimed in claim 17 containing 10-200 standard cubic metres of gaseous CO2 per cubic metre of fluid or the liquid equivalent.
20. A fluid as claimed in any of claims 11 to 19 additionally comprising an alkaline compound selected from the group consisting of carbonates, oxides and amines added subsequent to fracturing for breaking said fluid's viscosity.
21. A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising the steps of:
providing a visco-elastic surfactant based hydraulic fracturing fluid comprising:
(i) a surfactant having the general formula where R1-R2 are each an aliphatic group of C1-C4, branched or straight chained, saturated or unsaturated, R3 is a group of C12-22, branched, straight or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated;
(ii) a water soluble or dispersible anionic organic or inorganic salt;
(iii) an acid; and (iv) a low molecular weight organic solvent, pumping said fracturing fluid through a well bore and into a subterranean formation at a sufficient pressure to cause fracturing of said formation; and lowering the viscosity of said fluid subsequent to said fracturing to facilitate formation clean-up.
22. A method as claimed in claim 21, wherein the ratio of said salt to said surfactant is in the range of 1:4 to 1:2.
23. A method as claimed in claims 21 or 22, wherein said salt is selected from the group consisting of of potassium xylene sulfonate, sodium xylene sulfonate, ammonium xylene sulfonate, zinc xylene sulfonate, magnesium xylene sulfonate, sodium toluene sulfonate, potassium toluene sulfonate, zinc toluene sulfonate, ammonium toluene sulfonate, magnesium toluene sulfonate, NaCl and KCl.
24. A method as claimed in claims 21, 22 or 23 wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of formic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid and acetic acid.
25. A method as claimed in claims 21, 22, 23 or 24 wherein said organic solvent is a low molecular weight alcohol.
26. A method as claimed in any of claims 21 to 25, wherein said surfactant is present in a quantity of about 0.1 % (wt) to about 5.0% (wt).
27. A method as claimed in any of claims 21 to 26, in the form of a foam including about 52 to about 95% liquified gas selected from the group consisting of CO2, N2, air and low molecular weight hydrocarbons.
28. A method as claimed in any of claims 21 to 27 containing 10-200 standard cubic metres of N2 per cubic metre of fluid.
29. A method as claimed in any of claims 21 to 27 containing 10-200 standard cubic metres of gaseous C02 per cubic metre of fluid or the liquid equivalent.
30. A method as claimed in any of claims 21 to 29 wherein the step of lowering the viscosity of said fluid comprises the addition to said fluid of an alkaline compound selected from the group consisting of carbonates, oxides and amines.
31. A fluid for fracturing a subterranean formation and for use with a breaker system, said fluid comprising:
(i) a surfactant having the general formula where R1-R2 are each an aliphatic group of C1-C4, branched or straight chained, saturated or unsaturated, R3 is a group of C12-22, branched, straight or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated;
(ii) a water soluble or dispersible anionic organic or inorganic salt; and (iii) an acid.
32. A fluid as claimed in claim 29, wherein said acid is a strong acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid, formic acid, sulfamic acid, acetic acid, and mixtures thereof.
33. A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising the steps of:
providing a visco-elastic surfactant based hydraulic fracturing fluid comprising:
(i) a surfactant having the general formula wherein R1-R2 are each an aliphatic group of C1-C4, branched or straight chained, saturated or unsaturated, R3 is a group of C12-22, branched, straight chained or cyclic, saturated or unsaturated;
(ii) a water soluble or dispersible anionic organic or inorganic salt; and (iii) an acid; and (iv) a low molecular weight organic solvent, and;
pumping said fracturing fluid through a well bore and into a subterranean formation at a sufficient pressure to cause fracturing of said formation including the further step of lowering the viscosity of said fluid by raising the pH thereof.
34. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein said pH is raised by the addition of an alkaline compound selected from the group consisting of carbonates, oxides, and amines.
35. A method as claimed in claims 33 or 34, wherein said ratio of said salt to said surfactant is in the range of 1:4 to 1:2.
36. A method as claimed in claims 33, 34 or 35, wherein said salt is selected from the group consisting of potassium xylene sulfonate, sodium xylene sulfonate, ammonium xylene sulfonate, zinc xylene sulfonate, magnesium xylene sulfonate, sodium toluene sulfonate, potassium toluene sulfonate, zinc toluene sulfonate, ammonium toluene sulfonate, magnesium toluene sulfonate, NaCl and KCl.
37. A method as claimed in claims 33, 34, 35 or 36, wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of formic acid, citric acid, hydrochloric acid and acetic acid.
38. A method as claimed in any of claims 33 to 37, wherein said organic solvent is a low molecular weight alcohol.
39. A method as claimed in any of claims 33 to 38, wherein said surfactant is present in a quantity of about 0.1 % (wt) to about 5.0% (wt).
40. A method as claimed in any of claims 33 to 39, wherein said hydraulic fracturing fluid is in the form of a foam including about 52 to about 95% gas selected from the group consisting of CO2, N2, air and low molecular weight hydrocarbons.
41. A method as claimed in claim 40, wherein said hydraulic fracturing fluid contains 10-200 standard cubic metres of N2 per cubic metre of fluid.
42. A method as claimed in claim 40, wherein said hydraulic fracturing fluid contains 10-200 standard cubic metres of gaseous CO2 per cubic metre of fluid or the liquid equivalent.
CA 2354789 2000-08-08 2001-08-07 Fracturing method using aqueous or acid based fluids Expired - Fee Related CA2354789C (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2354789 CA2354789C (en) 2000-08-08 2001-08-07 Fracturing method using aqueous or acid based fluids

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA2,315,544 2000-08-08
CA002315544A CA2315544A1 (en) 2000-08-08 2000-08-08 Fracturing method using aqueous or acid based fluids
CA 2354789 CA2354789C (en) 2000-08-08 2001-08-07 Fracturing method using aqueous or acid based fluids

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2354789A1 CA2354789A1 (en) 2002-02-08
CA2354789C true CA2354789C (en) 2006-05-23

Family

ID=25682004

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2354789 Expired - Fee Related CA2354789C (en) 2000-08-08 2001-08-07 Fracturing method using aqueous or acid based fluids

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2354789C (en)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8496061B2 (en) 2011-01-19 2013-07-30 Saudi Arabian Oil Company VDA/acid system for matrix acid stimulation
CN103305208B (en) * 2013-06-05 2016-03-16 中国石油集团川庆钻探工程有限公司 Strong acid-based surfactant fracturing fluid and fracturing method thereof
WO2015007749A1 (en) 2013-07-17 2015-01-22 Bp Exploration Operating Company Limited Oil recovery method
CN103953324B (en) * 2014-04-29 2016-08-31 惠建龙 Polynary turn to acid adjustable slit height acidifying fracturing process
CN114426828A (en) * 2020-09-25 2022-05-03 中国石油化工股份有限公司 Oil washing demulsifier for fracturing fluid and application thereof

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2354789A1 (en) 2002-02-08

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6844297B2 (en) Fracturing method using aqueous or acid based fluids
US4137182A (en) Process for fracturing well formations using aqueous gels
US7036590B2 (en) Two stage subterranean zone fracturing fluids and methods
CA2094088C (en) Gas well treatment compositions and methods
CA2528696C (en) Method and composition for treating a subterranean formation with splittable foams
US4591447A (en) Aqueous gelling and/or foaming agents for aqueous acids and methods of using the same
US6986392B2 (en) Recyclable foamed fracturing fluids and methods of using the same
US20130000900A1 (en) Down-hole placement of water-swellable polymers
CN113646381B (en) Reverse emulsion for hydraulic fracturing
EP0212671A2 (en) Method for emplacement of a gelatinous foam in gas flooding enhanced recovery
US6966379B2 (en) Methods of fracturing a subterranean formation using a pH dependent foamed fracturing fluid
WO2001018147A1 (en) Quaternary ammonium salts as thickening agents for aqueous systems
US20020065359A1 (en) Fracturing fluid
US4193453A (en) Method for consolidating sand or water control in subterranean formations
MXPA04012808A (en) Compositions and methods for treating a subterranean formation.
US3752233A (en) Hydrazine overflush treatment in hydraulic fracturing
Borchardt Chemicals used in oil-field operations
US5682951A (en) Foamed gel completion, workover, and kill fluid
CA2354789C (en) Fracturing method using aqueous or acid based fluids
EP0136773B1 (en) Composition for cross-linking carboxyl polymers and the use thereof in treating subterranean formations
US3749169A (en) Secondary recovery process
US11578259B1 (en) Energized fracturing fluid by generation of nitrogen gas
US5086840A (en) Delayed rigid foam systems and applications in particular for plugging selective treatments in the oil industry
WO2002018745A2 (en) Fracturing fluid
EP2812410B1 (en) Method of fracturing using ultra lightweight proppant suspensions and gaseous streams

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request
MKLA Lapsed

Effective date: 20170807