Methods of Controlled Release pH Adjustment for Oilwell Stimulation

Abstract

A method for treating subterranean formations by the use of delayed release pH control agents in subterranean formations during fracturing operations includes providing a fracturing fluid comprising a base fluid, a viscosifying agent, a pH sensitive crosslinking agent, and a delayed release pH-adjusting material. The delayed release pH-adjusting material includes a pH-adjusting agent and a binder. The fracturing fluid is introduced into a subterranean formation, and the pH of the fracturing fluid is changed through at least partial degradation or disassociation of the delayed release pH-adjusting material, thereby allowing the viscosifying agent to be crosslinked through activation of the pH sensitive crosslinking agent.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.