Polymer enhanced foam workover, completion, and kill fluids
AssigneeMarathon Oil Company
InventorRobert D. Sydansk
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Polymer enhanced foam fluid is utilized for completion, workover, and kill operations in wells penetrating subterranean formations. The foam is formed by appropriately adding a gas to an aqueous solution of a substantially noncrosslinked water soluble polymer and a surfactant. The solution and the foam are substantially free of crosslinking agents. The foam may be generated at the surface or in a wellbore.
Claims33
A process for use during hydrocarbon well completion, workover, and kill operations, the process comprising the steps of:
- (a) preparing an aqueous solution of a water-soluble, substantially noncrosslinked polymer and a water-soluble surfactant, the aqueous solution being substantially free of agents capable of crosslinking the polymer;
- and
- (b) adding a gas to said aqueous solution so as to form a polymer enhanced foam;
- and
- (c) placing said foam in a well penetrating a subterranean formation during a completion, workover, or kill operation.
A process for use during a hydrocarbon well kill operation, the process comprising the steps of:
- (a) preparing an aqueous solution of a water-soluble, substantially noncrosslinked polymer and a water-soluble surfactant, the aqueous solution being substantially free of agents capable of crosslinking the polymer;
- and
- (b) adding a gas to said aqueous solution so as to form a polymer enhanced foam;
- and
- (c) placing said foam in a well penetrating a subterranean formation during a kill operation.
A process for use during hydrocarbon well completion, workover, and kill operations, the process comprising the steps of:
- (a) preparing an aqueous solution of a water-soluble, substantially noncrosslinked polymer and a water-soluble surfactant, the aqueous solution being substantially free of agents capable of crosslinking the polymer;
- and
- (b) adding a gas to said aqueous solution so as to form a polymer enhanced foam which is a shear thinning fluid;
- and
- (c) placing said foam in a well penetrating a subterranean formation during a completion, workover, or kill operation.
A process for use during hydrocarbon well completion, workover, and kill operations, the process comprising the steps of:
- (a) preparing an aqueous solution of a water-soluble, substantially noncrosslinked polymer and a water-soluble surfactant, the aqueous solution being substantially free of agents capable of crosslinking the polymer;
- and
- (b) adding a gas to said aqueous solution so as to form a polymer enhanced foam which is rehealable;
- and
- (c) placing said foam in a well penetrating a subterranean formation during a completion, workover, or kill operation.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.