High temperature fracturing fluids and methods

• US 8,450,252 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2012
• Issued: 05/28/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Original Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services Incorporated (Halliburton Company)
• Inventors: Funkhouser, Gary P., Saini, Rajesh K., Mukherjee, Arnab
• Primary Examiner(s): Toscano, Alicia
• Application Number:
  US13/456,839
• Publication Number:
  US 20120208727A1
• Time in Patent Office: 397 Days
• Field of Search: 507/226, 166/305.1
• US Class Current: 507/226
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/5756 containing cross-linking agents
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 8/685 containing cross-linking agents

Abstract

Subterranean treatment fluids comprising: an aqueous base fluid and a reaction product of a gelling agent comprising a copolymer or salt thereof comprising N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]acrylamide, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid or a salt thereof, acrylamide; and a crosslinking agent. Such treatment fluids are particularly well-suited for high temperature applications. In particular, they are suited for subterranean temperatures up to about 400° F.

Claims

1. A subterranean treatment fluid comprising:

an aqueous base fluid; and

,

a gelling agent comprising a copolymer or salt thereof comprising N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]acrylamide, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, and acrylamide; and

,

a crosslinking agent comprising at least one component that comprises a zirconium or titanium metal ion.

2. The subterranean treatment fluid of claim 1 wherein the gelling agent copolymer further comprises acrylic acid or a salt thereof.

3. The subterranean treatment fluid of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid is foamed.

4. The subterranean treatment fluid of claim 2 wherein 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid is present in the copolymer in an amount in the range of about 15 weight % to about 80 weight %, the acrylamide is present therein in an amount in the range of about 10 weight % to about 50 weight %, the N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]acrylamide is present therein in an amount in the range of about 0.1 weight % to about 10 weight %, and the acrylic acid (or salts thereof) is present therein in an amount in the range of about 0.1 weight % to about 10 weight %.

5. The subterranean treatment fluid of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid further comprises an additive chosen from the group consisting of:

crosslinking delaying agent, a stabilizing agent, an internal delayed gel breaker, a gel stabilizer, a pH adjusting agent, a fluid loss control additive, an acid, a corrosion inhibitor, a catalyst, a clay stabilizer, a biocide, a bactericide, a gas, a surfactant, a solubilizer, a proppant particulate, a gravel particulate, and any combination thereof.

6. The subterranean treatment fluid of claim 1 wherein the aqueous base fluid comprises fresh water, saltwater, brine, seawater, or a combination thereof.

7. The subterranean treatment fluid of claim 1 wherein the gelling agent is presenting the treatment fluid in an amount from about 0.05% to about 2% weight/volume.

8. The subterranean treatment fluid of claim 1 wherein the crosslinking agent is presenting the treatment fluid in an amount from about 0.1% to about 1% by volume.

9. The subterranean treatment fluid of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid further comprises a crosslinking delaying agent.

10. A subterranean treatment fluid comprising:

an aqueous base fluid; and

,

a gelling agent comprising a copolymer or salt thereof comprising N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]acrylamide, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, acrylamide, and acrylic acid or a salt thereof;

wherein 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid is present in the copolymer in an amount in the range of about 15 weight % to about 80 weight %, the acrylamide is present therein in an amount in the range of about 10 weight % to about 50 weight %, the N-[tris(hydroxymethyl)methyl]acrylamide is present therein in an amount in the range of about 0.1 weight % to about 10 weight %, and the acrylic acid (or salts thereof) is present therein in an amount in the range of about 0.1 weight % to about 10 weight %;

a crosslinking agent that comprises a zirconium ion or a titanium metal ion; and

,

a crosslinking delaying agent.

11. The subterranean treatment fluid of claim 10 wherein the treatment fluid further comprises an additive chosen from the group consisting of:

crosslinking delaying agent, a stabilizing agent, an internal delayed gel breaker, a gel stabilizer, a pH adjusting agent, a fluid loss control additive, an acid, a corrosion inhibitor, a catalyst, a clay stabilizer, a biocide, a bactericide, a gas, a surfactant, a solubilizer, a proppant particulate, a gravel particulate, and any combination thereof.

12. The subterranean treatment fluid of claim 10 wherein the aqueous base fluid comprises fresh water, saltwater, brine, seawater, or a combination thereof.

13. The subterranean treatment fluid of claim 10 wherein the gelling agent is presenting the treatment fluid in an amount from about 0.05% to about 2% weight/volume.

14. The subterranean treatment fluid of claim 10 wherein the crosslinking agent is presenting the treatment fluid in an amount from about 0.1% to about 1% by volume.