Methods and compositions for treating subterranean formations with gelled hydrocarbon fluids
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsRobert S. Taylor, Gary P. Funkhouser
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Abstract
Improved methods and compositions for treating subterranean formations penetrated by well bores are provided. A method for breaking a gelled hydrocarbon fluid comprised of a hydrocarbon liquid, a ferric iron or aluminum polyvalent metal salt of a phosphonic or phosphoric acid ester is provided.
Claims20
An additive for causing a water-containing liquid hydrocarbon gel formed with a gelling agent comprised of a ferric iron polyvalent metal salt of a phosphonic acid ester or of a phosphoric acid ester to break and revert to a thin fluid comprising a water soluble reducing agent which upon dissolving in said water and contacting said liquid hydrocarbon gel reduces the ferric iron in the gel to ferrous iron.
In a liquid hydrocarbon gel comprised of a hydrocarbon liquid, a ferric iron polyvalent metal salt of a phosphoric acid ester, water and an additive for breaking said gel into a thin fluid, the improvement which comprises:
- said additive for breaking said gel being a water soluble reducing agent which upon dissolving in said water and contacting said liquid hydrocarbon gel reduces said ferric iron in the gel to ferrous iron.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.