Filter cake degradation compositions and methods of use in subterranean operations

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for degrading filter cakes in subterranean formations, and more specifically, to improved methods and compositions for degrading filter cakes that comprise acid-soluble portions and polymeric portions. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of degrading a filter cake comprising an acid-soluble portion and a polymeric portion in a subterranean formation comprising the steps of: introducing a filter cake degradation composition comprising a delayed-release acid component and a delayed-release oxidizer component to a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation; allowing the delayed-release acid component to release an acid derivative and the delayed-release oxidizer component to release an acid-consuming component; allowing the acid-consuming component to interact with the acid derivative to delay a reaction between at least a portion of the acid derivative and at least a portion of the acid-soluble portion of the filter cake and to produce hydrogen peroxide; allowing the acid derivative to degrade at least a portion of the acid-soluble portion of the filter cake after a delay period; and allowing the hydrogen peroxide to degrade at least a portion of the polymeric portion of the filter cake.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.