Method for treating subterranean formation
A method is given in which there is delayed release from the treatment fluid of solid chemicals that are obtained in bulk powder form. The method is used in situations in which it is difficult to encapsulate the chemical to achieve delayed release because the chemical is obtained in powdered form. The method involves delivering the powdered chemical in capsules consisting of encapsulated granulates obtained by aggregating the bulk powder under pressure to form a densified material and, optionally, then dry comminuting the densified material to produce granulates of the desired size. The treatment is hydraulic fracturing and the chemical is a breaker, or the treatment is well cementing and the chemical is a dispersing agent, fluid loss control additive, set accelerator, or extender.
1. A method for treating a subterranean formation which comprises injecting into the subterranean formation a well treatment fluid comprising a viscoelastic surfactant and a solid additive available in a bulk powder form, wherein said solid additive is a viscoelastic surfactant gel breaker, selected from the group consisting of non-ionic polymers, ionomers, cationic polyelectrolytes, and anionic polyelectrolytes, said method further comprising the steps of aggregating said bulk powder under pressure to form a densified material, forming granulates of said densified material which are further encapsulated to form capsules, said method further comprising the step of delivering said capsules into an enclosure for a delayed release of said additive from said capsules.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the treatment is hydraulic fracturing and granulates are in the size range of 20/40 mesh.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said additive is a cationic polyelectrolyte selected from the group consisting of poly(2-vinylimidazolinium salt), poly(N-vinylimidazolium salt), poly(1-vinyl-2-methyl-2-imidazolium salt) and poly(N-vinylpiperidine).
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said additive is an anionic polyelectrolyte selected from the group consisting of poly(acrylic acid) and its salts, poly(methacrylic acid) and its salts, poly(itaconic acid) and its salts, poly(crotonic acid) and its salts, poly(3-acrylamido-3-methylbutanoic acid) and its salts, poly(3-methacrylamido-3-methylbutanoic acid) and its salts, polynaphthalene sulfonic acid) and its salts, poly(ligno sulfonic acid) and its salts and poly(styrene sulfonic acid) and its salts.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said additive is an ionomer selected from the group consisting of poly(4-vinylpyridine), poly(ethylene-co-methacrylic acid) and its salts, poly(ethyl acrylate-co-4-vinylpyridine), poly(ethyl acrylate-co-N-methyl-4-vinylpyridinum iodide), poly(ethylene terephthalate-co-zinc sulfonate), poly(styrene-co-methacrylic acid) and its salts, poly(styrene-co-styrenesulfonate), polyamide-6, and poly(ethyl acrylate).
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein said additive is a nonionic polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(ethyleneoxide) and polypropylene oxide.