Enzyme Surfactant Fluids Used in Non-Gel Hydraulic Fracturing of Oil Wells
OwnerJohn L. Gray, Allan R. Hartman +1inventors
InventorsJohn L. Gray, Allan R. Hartman, Ronald Michael Herzfeld
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Abstract
The present application describes improved total recovery of oil, condensate and associated gas in a subterranean formation such that said hydrocarbons are released by a hydraulic fracturing process with a non-gel hydraulic fracturing fluid that comprises an enzyme surfactant fluid with at least one anionic surfactant thereby forming a non-gel hydraulic fracturing fluid enzyme surfactant composition which is injected at 1 to 3 percent of total frac fluid during fracturing.
Claims22
A composition for providing improved recovery of crude oil, condensate and associated gas in a subterranean formation wherein oil and/or hydrocarbons are releasable by a hydraulic fracturing process with a non-gel hydraulic fracturing fluid that comprises an aqueous enzyme surfactant fluid, comprising enzymes derived from selectively screened and fermented oleophilic “oil-loving” microbes that are combined with surfactants including at least one anionic surfactant thereby forming a non-gel hydraulic fracturing fluid surfactant enzyme composition that is injected continuously for less than 2 hours during each frac stage and for less than 24 hours total ensuring injection of all separate zones fractured while performing multi-stage fracs.
The hydraulic fracturing fluid enzyme surfactant fluid composition of claim wherein said enzyme surfactant fluid reduces the viscosity of the oil in the formation by catalyzing breakage of carbon-nitrogen bonds thru enzymatic activity which improves oil mobility and relative permeability thereby improving oil and gas flow.
A method for providing improved recovery of crude oil, condensate and associated gas in a subterranean formation wherein releasing oil and/or hydrocarbons by a hydraulic fracturing process with a non-gel hydraulic fracturing fluid that comprises an aqueous enzyme surfactant fluid is accomplished, wherein said enzymes are derived from selectively screened and fermented oleophilic “oil-loving” microbes that are combined with surfactants including at least one anionic surfactant thereby forming a non-gel hydraulic fracturing fluid surfactant enzyme composition for continuously injecting for less than 2 hours during each fracing stage and for less than 24 hours total, thereby ensuring injecting of all separate zones fractured while performing multi-stage fracing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.