Surfactants for Reduction of Water Blocks and/or Gas Condensates and Associated Methods

• US 20110177985A1
• Filed: 01/15/2010
• Published: 07/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2010
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Robb, Ian D., Saini, Rajesh K.
• Application Number:
  US12/688,497
• Publication Number:
  US 20110177985A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 507/240
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2208/22 Hydrates inhibition by using well treatment fluids containing inhibitors of hydrate formers
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 2208/34 Lubricant additives
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/524 organic depositions, e.g. paraffins or asphaltenes
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/602 containing surfactants
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/685 containing cross-linking agents
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/74 combined with additives added for specific purposes

Abstract

Improved methods of oil and/or gas production by reducing the occurrence of water blocks and/or gas condensates in the treated portion of the formation are provided. In one embodiment, the methods comprise: providing a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid, a friction reducing agent, and a quaternary ammonium surfactant described by at least the following formula:

wherein R₁ is either a saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight chain alkyl comprising about 12 carbons to about 22 carbons, and R₂, R₃ and R₄ are independently selected from the group consisting of either a saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight chain alkyl or aryl comprising about 1 to about 14 carbons, and any combination thereof; and introducing the treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation at a rate and pressure sufficient to create or enhance at least one or more fractures in the subterranean formation.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

providing a treatment fluid comprising;

an aqueous base fluid, and

a quaternary ammonium surfactant described by at least the following formula;

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the sum of the carbon atoms in R₂, R₃ and R₄ is at least 6.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the sum of the carbons in R₂, R₃ and R₄ ranges from about 6 to about 16.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the sum of the carbons in R₂, R₃ and R₄ ranges from about 10 to about 12.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the quaternary ammonium surfactant reduces the occurrence of water blocks and/or gas condensates in a portion of the subterranean formation.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the quaternary ammonium surfactant is adsorbed onto a rock surface in a portion of the formation.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the aqueous base fluid comprises a fluid selected from the group consisting of fresh water, salt water, brine, seawater, and any combination thereof.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the aqueous base fluid is present in an amount in the range of about 75% to about 99.9% of the treatment fluid.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the quaternary surfactant is present in an amount of about 0.001% to about 3% by volume of the treatment fluid.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid further comprises a friction reducing agent.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid further comprises additional additives selected from the group consisting of a viscosifying agent, a corrosion inhibitor, a proppant particulate, a gravel particulate, an acid, a fluid loss control additive, a breaker, a scale inhibitor, and a clay stabilizer.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the subterranean treatment fluid is used as part of an oilfield operation selected from the group consisting of a fracturing operation, a well bore cleanup operation, a viscous sweep, an acidizing operation, and any combination thereof.

9. (canceled)

14. A method comprising:

providing a treatment fluid comprising;

an aqueous base fluid,

a friction reducing agent, and

a quaternary ammonium surfactant described by at least the following formula;

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the sum of the carbon atoms in R₂, R₃ and R₄ is at least 6.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the sum of the carbons in R₂, R₃ and R₄ ranges from about 6 to about 16.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the quaternary ammonium surfactant reduces the occurrence of water blocks and/or gas condensates in a portion of the subterranean formation.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the quaternary ammonium surfactant is adsorbed onto a rock surface in a portion of the formation.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein the aqueous base fluid comprises a fluid selected from the group consisting of fresh water, salt water, brine, seawater, and any combination thereof.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein the aqueous base fluid is present in an amount in the range of about 75% to about 99% of the treatment fluid.

22. The method of claim 14 wherein the quaternary surfactant is present in an amount of about 0.01% to about 10% by volume of the treatment fluid.

23. The method of claim 14 wherein the treatment fluid comprises a plurality of proppant particulates.

21. (canceled)

24. A treatment fluid comprising:

an aqueous base fluid;

a friction reducing agent; and

a quaternary ammonium surfactant described by at least the following formula;