Methods of reducing or preventing particulate flow-back in wells
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsPhilip D. Nguyen, Johnny A. Barton
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods of reducing or preventing particulate flow-back in subterranean zones. In accordance with the methods, a treating fluid having a mixture of reticulated foam fragments and particulate solids are suspended therein. The treating fluid is introduced into a subterranean zone and the mixture of the reticulated foam fragments and the particulate solids are deposited in the subterranean zone whereby the reticulated foam fragments retard or prevent the flow-back of the particulate solids and the transport of formation fines from the subterranean zone upon the flowing-back of fluid from the zone.
Claims28
A method of treating a subterranean zone comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a treating fluid having a mixture of reticulated foam fragments and particulate solids suspended therein;
- (b) introducing said treating fluid into said subterranean zone;
- and
- (c) depositing said mixture of said reticulated foam fragments and said particulate solids in said subterranean zone whereby said reticulated foam fragments reduce or prevent the flow-back of said particulate solids and the transport of formation fines from said subterranean zone upon producing fluids from said zone.
A method of fracturing a subterranean zone comprising the steps of:
- (a) providing a fracturing fluid having proppant particles suspended therein;
- (b) combining reticulated foam fragments with said fracturing fluid to thereby form a mixture of said reticulated foam fragments with said proppant particles suspended therein;
- (c) introducing said fracturing fluid into said subterranean zone at a rate and pressure sufficient to extend fractures in said subterranean zone;
- and
- (d) depositing said mixture of said reticulated foam fragments and said proppant particles in said subterranean zone whereby said reticulated foam fragments reduce or prevent the flow-back of said proppant particles and the transport of formation fines from said subterranean zone upon producing fluids from said zone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.