Method of using sophorolipids in well treatment operations
AssigneeBaker Hughes, A Ge Company, LLC
InventorsCharles David Armstrong, Rupa Venugopal, Qi Qu
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Abstract
Recovery of fluids from a subterranean formation during a well treatment operation is enhanced by injecting into the formation a treatment fluid comprising a sophorolipid.
Claims20
A method of enhancing recovery of a well treatment fluid from a well comprising:
- (a) introducing into the well the well treatment fluid, the well treatment fluid comprising at least one sophorolipidic compound selected from the group consisting of:
- (b) treating the well with the well treatment fluid during a well treatment operation;
- and
- (c) recovering the well treatment fluid containing the sophorolipidic compound from the well after step (b), wherein the recovery of the well treatment fluid is enhanced by the sophorolipidic compound in the well treatment fluid.
A method of increasing recovery of a well treatment fluid injected into a well during a drilling, stimulating or gravel packing operation, the method comprising introducing into a well during the drilling, stimulating or gravel packing operation the well treatment fluid, the well treatment fluid comprising at least one sophorolipidic compound selected from the group consisting of:
- wherein the amount of the well treatment fluid recovered from the well after the drilling, stimulating or gravel packing operation is enhanced by the presence of the sophorolipidic compound in the well treatment fluid injected into the well.
A method of fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising:
- (a) pumping a fracturing fluid into the wellbore at a pressure sufficient to create or enlarge a fracture;
- (b) producing fluid from the created or enlarged fracture;
- and
- wherein the method further comprises either:
- (i) pumping a spearhead fluid into the wellbore prior to step (a), the spearhead fluid comprising at least one sophorolipidic compound;
- or
- (ii) pumping a diverter fluid into the wellbore after step (b), the diverter fluid comprising at least one sophorolipidic compound
- and wherein the sophorolipidic compound is selected from the group consisting of:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.