Controlled degradation of polymer based aqueous gels
First Claim
1. A method of fracturing a subterranean formation which surrounds a well bore comprising the steps of:
- formulating a viscous fracturing fluid by blending together an aqueous fluid, a hydratable polymer, and a breaker comprising a slightly water soluble, organic peroxide and a water immiscible, nonoxidizable, organic solvent;
pumping the fracturing fluid to a desired location within the well bore under sufficient pressure to fracture the surrounding subterranean formation; and
allowing the breaker to degrade the polymer and produce a pumpable fluid.
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Abstract
A method of fracturing a subterranean formation in a well bore is shown in which a gellable fracturing fluid is first formed by blending together an aqueous fluid, a hydratable polymer, a suitable crosslinking agent for crosslinking the hydratable polymer to form a polymer gel and a breaker comprising a slightly water soluble, organic peroxide. The crosslinked polymer gel is pumped into the well bore under sufficient pressure to fracture the surrounding formation. The breaker is allowed to degrade the crosslinked polymer with time to reduce the viscosity of the fluid so that the fluid can be pumped from the formation back to the well surface.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of fracturing a subterranean formation which surrounds a well bore comprising the steps of:
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formulating a viscous fracturing fluid by blending together an aqueous fluid, a hydratable polymer, and a breaker comprising a slightly water soluble, organic peroxide and a water immiscible, nonoxidizable, organic solvent; pumping the fracturing fluid to a desired location within the well bore under sufficient pressure to fracture the surrounding subterranean formation; and allowing the breaker to degrade the polymer and produce a pumpable fluid.
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2. A method of fracturing a subterranean formation which surrounds a well bore comprising the steps of:
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formulating a gellable fracturing fluid by blending together an aqueous fluid, a hydratable polymer, a suitable crosslinking agent for crosslinking the hydratable polymer to form a polymer gel, and a breaker comprising a slightly water soluble, organic peroxide and a water immiscible, nonoxidizable organic solvent; pumping the cross-linked polymer gel to a desired location within the well bore under sufficient pressure to fracture the surrounding subterranean formation; and allowing the breaker to degrade the cross-linked polymer and produce a pumpable fluid. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification