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AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsJiten Chatterji, Bobby J. King, Karen L. King
Estimating the term…
Fracturing fluids and methods of fracturing a subterranean formation using such fluids are provided. A fracturing fluid having a first pH is foamed by introducing a gas to the fluid. The fracturing fluid comprises a surfactant that facilitates formation of the foam at the first pH. The foamed fracturing fluid is subsequently pumped to the subterranean formation to fracture it. The pH of the fracturing fluid is then changed to a second pH at which the surfactant facilitates reduction of the foam. The fracturing fluid releases proppant contained in the fluid to the subterranean formation. The fracturing fluid is then allowed to flow back to the surface. It can be recycled by changing the pH of the fracturing fluid back to the first pH and adding a gas to the fluid, causing it to foam again.
A method of fracturing a subterranean formation, comprising the steps of:
A fracturing fluid for fracturing a subterranean formation, comprising a surfactant capable of allowing the fracturing fluid to be foamed at a first pH and defoamed at a second pH.
A method of fracturing a subterranean formation, comprising recycling a fracturing fluid previously introduced into a first well bore to a second well bore, wherein no additional surfactants and gelling agents are added to the fracturing fluid before said recycling.
A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising introducing a fracturing fluid comprising a surfactant into the subterranean formation whereby the subterranean formation is fractured, wherein the surfactant allows the fracturing fluid to be foamed and defoamed in response to changes in a pH of the fracturing fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.