In situ swelling of water-swellable polymers downhole

Abstract

Invert emulsions may be used in downhole operations to delay the swelling of water-swellable polymers. For example, a treatment fluid may be introduced into a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, the treatment fluid comprising an emulsion with an continuous oil phase and a discontinuous aqueous phase, an emulsifier, and a water-swellable polymer suspended in the continuous oil phase, wherein the aqueous discontinuous phase has a pH of about 0 to about 11; the emulsion may be broken while the treatment fluid in a portion of the subterranean formation; and the water-swellable polymer may be swollen into a swollen polymer, thereby reducing fluid flow through the portion of the subterranean formation. In some instances, for carbonate subterranean formation, the aqueous discontinuous phase may have a pH of about 7 to about 11.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.