High temperature hydraulic fracturing fluid
First Claim
1. A method of hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation, comprising the step of:
- injecting a well treatment fluid composition via a wellbore into a subterranean formation at a flow rate and pressure sufficient to produce or extend a fracture in the formation, wherein the well treatment fluid composition comprises;
a carrier fluid;
a solvatable, crosslinkable polymer;
a cross-linking agent that does not cause substantial cross-linking of the polymer at temperatures less than about 105°
F. and a pH of about 10 or greater; and
an organic amine stabilizing agent that has a first pKa or a pH in water of at least about 9.5.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fluid that is useful in stimulation operations, and in particular, in hydraulic fracturing treatments, comprises a carrier fluid; a solvatable, crosslinkable polymer; a cross-linking agent that does not cause substantial cross-linking of the polymer at temperatures less than about 105° F. and a pH of about 10 or greater; and an organic amine stabilizing agent that has a first pKa or a pH in water of at least about 9.5. One group of such amines has the formula
where R1 is C1-C4 alkyl and n is from 1-6. In one embodiment, the cross-linking agent is an organic zirconate, such as bis(hydroxyethyl)glycine zirconate. The organic zirconate is effective to cross-link the polymer when the composition is at a temperature of at least about 105° F., and a pH of about 10 or higher, preferably a pH in the range of about 10.5-12.
98 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method of hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation, comprising the step of:
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injecting a well treatment fluid composition via a wellbore into a subterranean formation at a flow rate and pressure sufficient to produce or extend a fracture in the formation, wherein the well treatment fluid composition comprises;
a carrier fluid;
a solvatable, crosslinkable polymer;
a cross-linking agent that does not cause substantial cross-linking of the polymer at temperatures less than about 105°
F. and a pH of about 10 or greater; and
an organic amine stabilizing agent that has a first pKa or a pH in water of at least about 9.5. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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8. The method of claim 7, wherein R1 is ethylene.
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9. The method of claim 8, wherein the stabilizing agent comprises tetraethylenepentamine.
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10. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymer is selected from the group consisting of guar, hydroxypropyl guar, carboxymethyl guar, carboxymethylhydroxypropyl guar, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethylhydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, xanthan, and mixtures thereof.
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11. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid further comprises a proppant.
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12. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid further comprises a delay agent.
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13. The method of claim 12, wherein the delay agent is a bicarbonate salt.
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14. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid further comprises a viscosity breaker agent.
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15. The method of claim 1, wherein the fluid further comprises at least one additive selected from the group consisting of scale inhibitors, surfactants, biocides, and breaker aids.
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16. A method of hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation, comprising the step of:
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injecting a well treatment fluid composition via a wellbore into a subterranean formation at a flow rate and pressure sufficient to produce or extend a fracture in the formation, wherein the well treatment fluid composition comprises;
a carrier fluid;
a solvatable, crosslinkable polymer selected from the group consisting of guar, hydroxypropyl guar, carboxymethyl guar, carboxymetylhydroxypropyl guar, hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethylhydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, xanthan, and mixtures thereof;
a cross-linking agent that comprises bis(hydroxyethyl)glycine zirconate;
an organic amine stabilizing agent that comprises tetraethylenepentamine; and
a delay agent that comprises a bicarbonate salt. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification