Subterranean formation treating fluid and methods of fracturing subterranean formations
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsJames Frederick Pyecroft, Jim D. Weaver
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Abstract
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating subterranean well formations, and more specifically, to improved subterranean formation treating fluid concentrates, treating fluids and methods of using such treating fluids in subterranean formations. The treating fluid concentrates generally comprise water and a substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer. The treating fluids which are formed by adding water to the treating fluid concentrates generally comprise water, a substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer and a crosslinking agent for crosslinking the hydrated depolymerized polymer.
Claims34
A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising the steps of:
- introducing a first treating fluid into the formation at or near a zone of interest within the formation, to create or enhance at least one fracture therein, the first treating fluid being a gelled and crosslinked treating fluid comprising water, a substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer and a crosslinking agent for crosslinking the substantially hydrated depolymerized polymer;
- introducing a second treating fluid into the formation such that a length of at least one fracture therein is extended, the second treating fluid having a lower viscosity than the first treating fluid;
- and
- introducing a third treating fluid into the formation, the third treating fluid being a gelled and crosslinked treating fluid comprising water, a substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer and a crosslinking agent for crosslinking the substantially hydrated depolymerized polymer and further comprising a proppant material.
A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising the steps of:
- introducing a first treating fluid into the subterranean formation at or near a zone of interest to create or enhance at least one fracture therein, the first treating fluid being a gelled and crosslinked treating fluid comprising water, a substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer and a crosslinking agent for crosslinking the substantially hydrated depolymerized polymer;
- introducing a second treating fluid into the subterranean formation such that a length of at least one fracture therein is extended, the second treating fluid having a lower viscosity than the first treating fluid;
- and
- introducing a third treating fluid into the subterranean formation, the third treating fluid being a gelled and crosslinked treating fluid comprising water, a substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer and a crosslinking agent for crosslinking the substantially hydrated depolymerized polymer and further comprising a proppant material, wherein:
- the second treating fluid comprises water;
- the subterranean formation comprises shale, coal or a mixture thereof;
- the crosslinking agent is a boron compound;
- the substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer is depolymerized hydroxypropylguar;
- the substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer is present in the first treating fluid in an amount in the range of from about 0.2% to about 5% by weight of the water therein;
- and the substantially fully hydrated depolymerized polymer is present in the third treating fluid in an amount in the range of from about 0.2% to about 5% by weight of the water therein.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.