# US 8,770,279 B2 · Nanohybrid phase interfaces for foaming in oil field applications

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- Number: US 8,770,279 B2
- Document ID: US8770279B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/364,900
- Filed: 2012-02-02
- Published: 2012-07-19
- Granted: 2014-07-08
- Earliest claimed: 2011-01-13
- Assignees: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
- Applicants: Rajesh Kumar Saini; Lewis R Norman
- Inventors: Rajesh Kumar Saini; Lewis R Norman
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770279B2

## CPC

- C09K 8/265: {containing inorganic additives}
- C04B 40/0633: {Chemical separation of ingredients, e.g. slowly soluble activator}
- C09K 8/36: Water-in-oil emulsions
- C09K 8/467: containing additives for specific purposes
- C09K 8/70: characterised by their form or by the form of their components, e.g. foams
- C09K 8/74: combined with additives added for specific purposes
- C09K 2208/10: Nanoparticle-containing well treatment fluids
- C09K 2208/14: Double emulsions, i.e. oil-in-water-in-oil emulsions or water-in-oil-in-water emulsions
- C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE
- C04B: LIME, MAGNESIA; SLAG; CEMENTS; COMPOSITIONS THEREOF, e.g. MORTARS, CONCRETE OR LIKE BUILDING MATERIALS; ARTIFICIAL STONE {(roofing granules E04D7/005)}; CERAMICS (devitrified glass-ceramics C03C10/00); REFRACTORIES; TREATMENT OF NATURAL STONE

## Abstract

Methods of using nanohybrid-containing fluids in a well are provided. The methods include the steps of: (a) forming or providing a well fluid comprising a nanohybrid; and (b) introducing the well fluid into a well. The methods can be used in various applications, such as in drilling, completion, or intervention operations.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of using a nanohybrid-stabilized foam in a well, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
(a) forming a foam comprising:
(i) a nanohybrid comprising a carbon nanotube attached to a hydrophilic inorganic second component;
(ii) a liquid phase, wherein the liquid phase is an oil-based liquid; and
(iii) a gaseous phase;
(b) introducing a well fluid comprising the foam into the well.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the nanohybrid stabilizes the liquid-gaseous interface of the foam.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method according to claim 2, further comprising the step of: after the step of introducing, modifying the nanohybrid to break the foam in the well.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the gaseous phase is at least 5% by volume of the well fluid.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid phase is an oil.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid phase is a water-in-oil emulsion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method according to claim 6, wherein the nanohybrid stabilizes the water-in-oil emulsion of the foam.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the oil-based liquid comprises a viscosity-increasing agent.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the well fluid is introduced into the well at a rate and pressure and directed to a subterranean formation at a rate and pressure that is at least sufficient to create at least one fracture in the subterranean formation of the well.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the well fluid is a drilling fluid, a cementing composition, a fluid-loss control pill, an acidizing fluid, a viscous-sweep fluid, a fracturing fluid, a frac-packing fluid, a gravel-packing fluid, a spacer fluid, or a fluid for swelling a swellable packer.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic inorganic second component of the nanohybrid is silica.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic inorganic second component of the nanohybrid is selected from the group consisting of: alumina, magnesium oxide, and titanium oxide.