Surfactant-based fluid loss control agents for surfactant gels and associated fluids and methods
Of the many methods provided, in one aspect, the present invention provides a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid, a first surfactant, and a surfactant-based fluid loss control agent capable of forming a viscoelastic fluid; and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation.
1. A method comprising:
providing a treatment fluid comprising:
an aqueous base fluid,
a first surfactant, and
a surfactant-based fluid loss control agent capable of forming a viscoelastic fluid, wherein the surfactant-based fluid loss control agent comprises at least one viscoelastic gel forming surfactant selected from the group consisting of: a methyl ester sulfonate, a taurate, a behenyl quat, behenyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, and any derivative thereof; and
introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid is introduced into the well bore as part of a fracturing, acidizing, gravel packing, drilling, plugging, or a fluid loss control operation.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid exhibits viscoelastic behavior due, at least in part, to the association of at least a portion of the surfactant into a plurality of micellar associations.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the concentration of the first surfactant in the treatment fluid is about zero.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid comprises at least one water-soluble salt or at least one anion.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the surfactant-based fluid loss control agent comprises the taurate, wherein the taurate is chosen from the group consisting of: water-soluble substituted taurines; N-acyl N-methyl taurates; N-cetyl N-methyl taurate; N-erucyl N-methyl taurate; N-oleoyl N-methyl taurate; N-cocoyl N-methyl taurate; N-tallowyl N-methyl taurate; N-tallyl N-methyl taurate; N-soyayl N-methyl taurate; N-rapeseedyl N-methyl taurate; N-acyl taurates; N-erucyl taurate; N-oleoyl taurate; N-cocoyl taurate; N-tallowyl taurate; N-tallyl taurate; N-soyayl taurate; N-rapeseedyl taurate; and
combinations and derivatives thereof.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the surfactant-based fluid loss control agent comprises the methyl ester sulfonate, wherein the methyl ester sulfonate is described by the following formula:
where R is an alkyl chain of from about 10 carbon atoms to about 30 carbon atoms.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the first surfactant is a cationic, anionic, or amphoteric surfactant.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the first surfactant comprises a surfactant chosen from the group consisting of: betaines; modified betaines; sulfosuccinates;
taurates; amine oxides; ethoxylated fatty amines; quaternary ammonium compounds; and
combinations or derivatives thereof.
10. The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid is foamed or commingled with a gas.
11. The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of: co-surfactants; particulates; pH adjusting agents; acids, fluid loss control additives; gases; corrosion inhibitors; scale inhibitors; catalysts; clay control agents; biocides; hydrate inhibitors; breakers; foamers; emulsifiers; nonemulsifiers;
demulsifiers; oxidizers; reducers; friction reducers; particulate scale inhibitors; surfactant solubilizers; and combinations thereof.
12. The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid is prepared on the job site.
13. The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid comprises a viscosifier.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein the viscoelastic gel forming surfactant comprises a powdered or solid surfactant.
15. A method of providing fluid loss to a surfactant gel comprising adding a surfactant-based fluid loss control agent capable of forming a viscoelastic fluid to the surfactant gel, wherein the surfactant-based fluid loss control agent comprises at least one powdered or solid viscoelastic gel forming surfactant selected from the group consisting of: a methyl ester sulfonate, a taurate, a behenyl quat, behenyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, and any derivative thereof.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the surfactant-based fluid loss control agents are included in an amount of from about 0.0 1% to about 30% based on the weight of the surfactant gel.
17. The method of claim 15 further comprising introducing the surfactant gel into a subterranean formation.
18. A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprising:
providing a treatment fluid, the treatment fluid comprising:
an aqueous base fluid;
a first surfactant; and
a surfactant-based fluid loss control agent capable of forming a viscoelastic fluid, wherein the surfactant-based fluid loss control agent comprises at least one powdered or solid viscoelastic gel forming surfactant selected from the group consisting of: a methyl ester sulfonate, a taurate, a behenyl quat, behenyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, and any derivative thereof; and
introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation at or above a pressure sufficient to create or enhance one or more fractures in a portion of the subterranean formation.
19. The method of claim 18 wherein the concentration of the first surfactant in the treatment fluid is about zero.
20. A method comprising:
providing a treatment fluid comprising:
an aqueous base fluid, and
a surfactant-based fluid loss control agent capable of forming a viscoelastic fluid, wherein the surfactant-based fluid loss control agent comprises at least one powdered or solid viscoelastic gel forming surfactant selected from the group consisting of: a methyl ester sulfonate, a taurate, a behenyl quat, behenyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, and any derivative thereof; and
introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation.
21. The method of claim 20 wherein the treatment fluid comprises a viscosifier.
22. A method comprising:
providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid, particulates, a first surfactant, and a surfactant-based fluid loss control agent capable of forming a viscoelastic fluid, wherein the surfactant-based fluid loss control agent comprises at least one powdered or solid viscoelastic gel forming surfactant selected from the group consisting of: a methyl ester sulfonate, a taurate, a behenyl quat, behenyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, and any derivative thereof;
introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates a subterranean formation such that the particulates form a gravel pack in or adjacent to a portion of the subterranean formation.