Well treating compositions containing water superabsorbent material and method of using the same
View Patent ↗A well treating composition containing a polysaccharide-based water-superabsorbent material has particularly applicability as a thermal insulating, fracturing or acid stimulation fluid. The water-superabsorbent material is capable of absorbing, at a minimum, its own weight. Particularly effective are biodegradable materials containing guar gum and carrageenan. The composition may further contain a crosslinking agent, brine and/or a viscosifying polymer or a gelling agent. As an oil-based fluid, the crosslinking agent is absorbed onto the water-superabsorbent material and serves to effectively delay crosslinking.
1. A method for enhancing the thermal insulation of a production tubing or transfer pipe surrounded by at least one annuli, comprising:
adding to the at least one annuli a fluid composition comprising at least one water-superabsorbent material comprising guar gum and carrageenan, the water-superabsorbent material being capable of absorbing a minimum of its own weight in water and further wherein the viscosity of the composition is such so as to render the composition pumpable; and
maintaining the fluid composition in contact with the at least one annuli to at least partially immobilize the fluid composition.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one water-superabsorbent material is present in an amount ranging from about 0.05% to about 30% by weight, relative to to total weight of the fluid composition.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fluid composition further contains a brine and/or water.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the fluid composition further comprises, in addition to a brine and/or water:
(a) a viscosifying polymer; and, optionally,
(b) a polyol, a biocide and/or corrosion inhibitor; and/or, optionally,
(c) a crosslinking agent.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein to fluid composition further comprises a crosslinking agent.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the fluid composition is oil-based.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the crosslinking agent is absorbed onto the superabsorbent material.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the composition further comprises a gelling agent.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the gelling agent is an alkyl phosphate ester.
10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the crosslinking agent contains Al 3+ or Fe 3+ ions.
11. A method for reducing convection flow velocity in at least one annull surrounding a production tubing or transfer pipe, comprising:
introducing into the at least one annuli an insulating packer or riser fluid comprising a fluid composition comprising at least one water-superabsorbent material comprising guar gum and carrageenan, the water-superabsorbent material being capable of absorbing a minimum of its own weight in water and further wherein the viscosity of the composition is such so as to render the composition pumpable; and
maintaining the fluid in the at least one annuli until the convection flow velocity is reduced.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the fluid composition is oil-based.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the fluid composition is a packer or riser fluid.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the fluid composition is a riser fluid which is introduced into a riser annulus.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein the fluid composition further contains a brine and/or water.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the fluid composition further comprises, in addition to a brine and/or water:
(a) a viscosifying polymer; and, optionally,
(b) a polyol, a biocide and/or corrosion inhibitor; and/or, optionally,
(c) a crosslinking agent.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the fluid composition further comprises a crosslinking agent.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the crosslinking agent contains Al 3+ or Fe 3+ ions.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein the composition further comprises a gelling agent.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the gelling agent is an alkyl phosphate ester.
21. A method for enhancing the thermal insulation of a production tubing or transfer pipe surrounded by at least one annuli, comprising adding to the at least one annuli an oil-based well treating composition comprising a polysaccharide-based superabsorbent material, a crosslinking agent absorbed onto the superabsorbent material and a gelling agent.
22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the gelling agent is an alkyl phosphate ester.
23. The method of claim 21 , wherein the material is capable of absorbing a minimum its own weight in water.
24. The method of claim 21 , wherein the crosslinking agent contains Al 3+ or Fe 3+ ions.
25. A method for reducing convection flow velocity in at least one annuli surrounding a production tubing or transfer pipe, comprising:
introducing into the at least one annuli an insulating packer or riser fluid comprising an oil-based well treating composition comprising a polysaccharide-based superabsorbent material, a crosslinking agent absorbed onto the superabsorbent material and a gelling agent; and
maintaining the fluid in the at least one annuli until the convection flow velocity is reduced.
26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the fluid composition is a packer or riser fluid.
27. The method of claim 26 , wherein the fluid composition is a riser fluid which is introduced into a riser annulus.
28. The method of claim 25 , wherein the crosslinking agent contains Al 3+ or Fe 3+ ions.
29. The method of claim 25 , wherein the gelling agent is an alkyl phosphate ester.
30. The method of claim 25 , wherein the polysaccharide-based superabsorbent material is capable of absorbing a minimum of its own weight in water.