Compositions and methods for delayed crosslinking in hydraulic fracturing fluids

Abstract

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for delaying crosslinking in injectable compositions for hydraulic fracturing and related applications. The compositions and methods are effective in injectable compositions comprising or substantially excluding dissolved reactive species. The compositions and methods provide delayed crosslinking at high temperatures and pressures, such as those encountered by hydraulic fracturing compositions injected into subterranean environments. Compositions include injectable solutions comprising a competing agent that is the reaction product of a dialdehyde having 2 to 4 carbon atoms with a non-polymeric cis-hydroxyl compound. Also provided are methods of making and using delayed-crosslinking compositions comprising crosslinker compositions containing zirconium complexes and the competing agents.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.