Foamed fracturing fluids, additives and methods of fracturing subterranean zones
First Claim
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1. An improved foamed fracturing fluid for forming fractures in a subterranean zone comprising:
- water;
a gelling agent for forming said water into gelled water and increasing the viscosity thereof, sufficient gas to form a foam; and
an effective amount of an additive for foaming and stabilizing said gelled water comprised of hydrolyzed keratin.
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Abstract
The present invention provides environmentally safe foamed fracturing fluids, additives for foaming and stabilizing foamed fracturing fluids and methods of fracturing subterranean zones. The foamed fracturing fluids of this invention are basically comprised of water, a gelling agent for forming the water into gelled water and increasing the viscosity thereof, sufficient gas to form a foam, and an effective amount of an additive for foaming and stabilizing the gelled water comprised of hydrolyzed keratin.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. An improved foamed fracturing fluid for forming fractures in a subterranean zone comprising:
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water;
a gelling agent for forming said water into gelled water and increasing the viscosity thereof, sufficient gas to form a foam; and
an effective amount of an additive for foaming and stabilizing said gelled water comprised of hydrolyzed keratin. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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15. A method of fracturing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore comprising the steps of:
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(a) preparing a foamed fracturing fluid comprised of water, a gelling agent for forming said water into gelled water and thereby increasing the viscosity of said water, sufficient gas to form a foam and an effective amount of an additive for foaming and stabilizing said gelled water comprised of hydrolyzed keratin; and
(b) contacting said subterranean zone with said foamed fracturing fluid under conditions effective to create at least one fracture therein.
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- 32. An additive for foaming and stabilizing a gelled water fracturing fluid containing gas comprising hydrolyzed keratin.
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