Encapsulated breakers, compositions and methods of use
Assignee3M Innovative Properties Company
InventorsDavid J. Muir, Michael J. Irwin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An encapsulated breaker is enclosed within a hydrolytically degradable polymer coating. Compositions containing this encapsulated breaker, methods of making and methods of use are also described.
Claims14
An encapsulated breaker comprising a breaker capable of reducing the viscosity of a fracturing fluid, said breaker enclosed within a hydrolytically degradable polymer coating wherein said encapsulated breaker does not reduce viscosity lower than 50% at 5 hours at 25.degree. C. in a Standard Breaking Test, but said encapsulated breaker does not reduce viscosity lower than 50% at 70.degree. C. at a first predetermined time selected between fifteen minutes and 12 hours, but does reduce viscosity lower than 50% at a second predetermined time period selected between fifteen minutes and 12 hours after said first predetermined time at 70.degree. C. in a Standard Breaking Test and wherein said encapsulated breaker reduces viscosity lower than 50% in a Standard Breaking Test at least 20 minutes after a comparison sample which is identical in composition except that the breaker is not encapsulated.
An encapsulated breaker comprising a breaker capable of reducing the viscosity of a fracturing fluid, said breaker enclosed within a hydrolytically degradable polymer coating wherein said encapsulated breaker does not reduce viscosity lower than 50% at 5 hours at 25.degree. C. in a Standard Breaking Test, but said encapsulated breaker does not reduce viscosity lower than 50% at 70.degree. C. between 1 and 3 hours from initiation of the Standard Breaking Test, but does reduce viscosity lower than 50% at 70.degree. C. between 3 and 5 hours after initiation of the Standard Breaking Test, and wherein said encapsulated breaker reduces viscosity lower than 50% in a Standard Breaking Test at least 20 minutes after a comparison sample which is identical in composition except that the breaker is not encapsulated.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.