Method of using lightweight polyamides in hydraulic fracturing and sand control operations
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorD. V. Satyanarayana Gupta
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Abstract
Lightweight polyamide particulates may be used in treatment of subterranean formations, including hydraulic fracturing and sand control methods, such as gravel packing. The polyamide particulates typically have an apparent specific gravity (ASG) between from about 1.05 to about 2.0 and are stable at temperatures up to 500° C. The polyamide particulates may be used in combination with a filler which further serves to increase the strength and temperature stability of the resulting composite. Fracture conductivity may be increased by the placement of the low density polyamide particulates as a partial monolayer.
Claims20
A sand control method for a wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation, comprising:
- introducing into the wellbore a slurry of a composite and a carrier fluid, wherein the composite comprises polyamide particulates having an apparent specific gravity (ASG) between from about 1.05 to about 2.00;
- placing the composite adjacent the subterranean formation to form a fluid-permeable pack capable of reducing or substantially preventing the passage of formation particles from the subterranean formation into the wellbore while allowing passage of formation fluids from the subterranean formation into the wellbore wherein at least one of the following conditions prevail:
- (a) the composite exhibits crush resistance under conditions as high as 10,000 psi closure stress;
- (b) the composite further comprises a non-reactive filler and further wherein the crush resistance and thermal stability of the composite is greater than the crush resistance and thermal stability of a substantially similar composite which does not contain the non-reactive filler;
- or
- (c) the composite further comprises a non-reactive filler and further wherein the composite is prepared by blending the polyamide particulates with the non-reactive filler in a molten state.
A method of fracturing a subterranean formation by introducing into the formation a slurry containing a carrier and a proppant composed of substantially spherical lightweight polyamide particulates and forming in the created fracture a proppant pack comprising the substantially spherical lightweight polyamide particulates, wherein the proppant pack is permeable to fluids produced from the wellbore and substantially prevents or reduces production of formation materials from the formation into the wellbore.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.