Degradable polymers and method for fracking applications

A fracking composition comprising fracking particulates including, in the fracking particulates, at least one degradable polymer as a continuous phase and one or more proppants in the form of multiple proppant particulates dispersed in the polymer continuous phase, the fracking particulates being flowable, under the influence of hydraulic pressure, from a downhole fracking position inside a subterranean well structure, into and through openings in the well structure and thence into fractures and cracks in an adjacent subterranean formation to aid in a fracking process for enhancing the permeability of the formation through development of new and additional fractures, cracks, and the like therein, wherein the degradable polymer in the fracking particulates is substantially solid when maintained under substantially dry conditions at a temperature up to about 90° C., and where the degradable polymer, when in the fracking particulates in the fracking position and maintained in contact with water in the well at the downhole fracking location at a formation temperature of from about 44° C. up to about 82° C., commences gradual degradation and associated viscosity loss by reason of hydrolysis to a highly viscous, flowable liquid, which is flowable under the influence of sufficient hydraulic pressure outwardly of the well structure, through the well structure openings and into cracks and fractures in the adjacent formation to transmit to the formation hydraulic pressure forces applied thereto, and to thereby induce cracking and fracturing in the formation and further flowing of the polymer into and through new and enlarged and/or extended cracks and fractures created in the formation, whereupon, continued hydrolysis of the polymer and associated viscosity loss causes the polymer to substantially completely degrade to water-soluble components after at least about 3 days, leaving proppant in the cracks and fractures to aid in maintaining the same open to the flow of formation fluids therethrough.

A fracking composition comprising fracking particulates including, in the fracking particulates, at least one degradable polymer as a continuous phase and one or more proppants in the form of multiple proppant particulates dispersed in the polymer continuous phase, the fracking particulates being flowable, under the influence of hydraulic pressure, from a downhole fracking position inside a subterranean well structure, into and through openings in the well structure and thence into fractures and cracks in an adjacent subterranean formation to aid in a fracking process for enhancing the permeability of the formation through development of new and additional fractures, cracks, and the like therein, wherein the degradable polymer in the fracking particulates is substantially solid when maintained under substantially dry conditions at a temperature up to about 90° C., and where the degradable polymer, when in the fracking particulates in the fracking position and maintained in contact with water in the well at the downhole fracking location at a formation temperature of from about 44° C. up to about 82° C., commences gradual degradation and associated viscosity loss by reason of hydrolysis to a highly viscous, flowable liquid, which is flowable under the influence of sufficient hydraulic pressure outwardly of the well structure, through the well structure openings and into cracks and fractures in the adjacent formation to transmit to the formation hydraulic pressure forces applied thereto, and to thereby induce cracking and fracturing in the formation and further flowing of the polymer into and through new and enlarged and/or extended cracks and fractures created in the formation, whereupon, continued hydrolysis of the polymer and associated viscosity loss causes the polymer to substantially completely degrade to water-soluble components after at least about 3 days, leaving proppant in the cracks and fractures to aid in maintaining the same open to the flow of formation fluids therethrough wherein the fracking particulates further comprise a barrier coating thereon having a melting temperature approximately equal to the formation temperature, wherein the barrier coating comprises a polyester that limits inter-adhesion of fracking particulates and adhesion of fracking particulates to well structure and other structures against which the particulates may be brought into contact in order to avoid plugging of well structure and other problems which may interfere with intended delivery of the particulates from the surface to the downhole fracking location caused by stickiness and associated undue or premature agglomeration of fracking particulates when the same are slurried in an aqueous mixture for being pumped or otherwise flowed to the downhole formation.