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US 9,540,667 B2Granted
Methods of biosynthesizing bacterial extracellular galactomannan polysaccharides and subunits thereof for use in subterranean formation operations
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsJimmie D. Weaver, David Loveless, Nathan Carl Schultheiss, Ali Alwattari
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Abstract
Methods of biosynthesizing bacterial extracellular galactomannan polysaccharides for use in subterranean formation operations such as drilling operations, fracturing operations, or gravel packing operations including providing a feedstock comprising mannose and galactose; providing bacteria effective at fermenting mannose and galactose; introducing the bacteria to the feedstock; and fermenting the bacteria so as to produce an extracellular galactomannan polysaccharide.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- providing a feedstock comprising a carbon source in an amount of about 10% to about 50% by volume of the feedstock and having a water activity of about 0.75 to about 1, wherein the feedstock further comprises mannose and galactose;
- providing bacteria capable of fermenting mannose and galactose, wherein the mannose and galactose combined are present in the feedstock in an amount of about 0.1% to about 10% by volume of the feedstock;
- introducing the bacteria to the feedstock;
- and
- fermenting the feedstock so as to produce an extracellular galactomannan polysaccharide,
- wherein about 50% of a dry weight of the bacteria after fermentation comprises the carbon source.
3 more elements
A method comprising:
- providing an extracellular galactomannan polysaccharide,
- wherein the extracellular galactomannan polysaccharide is formed by bacteria fermenting a feedstock comprising a carbon source in an amount of about 10% to about 50% by volume of the feedstock, mannose, and galactose,
- wherein the feedstock has a water activity of about 0.75 to about 1,
- wherein about 50% of a dry weight of the bacteria after fermentation comprises the carbon source, and
- wherein the mannose and galactose combined are present in the feedstock in an amount of about 0.1% to about 10% by volume of the feedstock;
- and
- preparing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and the extracellular galactomannan polysaccharide;
- and
- introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
6 more elements
A method comprising:
- preparing a treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid and an extracellular galactomannan polysaccharide,
- wherein the extracellular galactomannan polysaccharide is formed by bacteria fermenting a feedstock comprising a carbon source in an amount of about 10% to about 50% by volume of the feedstock, mannose, and galactose,
- wherein the feedstock has a water activity of about 0.75 to about 1,
- wherein about 50% of a dry weight of the bacteria after fermentation comprises the carbon source,
- wherein the extracellular polysaccharide is purified, and
- wherein the mannose and galactose combined are present in the feedstock in an amount of about 0.1% to about 10% by volume of the feedstock;
- and
- introducing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.