Self-degrading fibers and associated methods of use and manufacture

1. A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising:

providing a treatment fluid comprising a plurality of self-degrading fibers, the self-degrading fibers comprising an outer shell and a core liquid;

placing the treatment fluid into a subterranean formation; and

treating a portion of the subterranean formation.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the self-degrading fibers comprises a coating, an additive, or a combination thereof.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the self-degrading fibers has at least one selected from the group consisting of: a round cross-sectional shape; an oval cross-sectional shape; a trilobal shape; a star shape; a flat shape; a rectangular shape; a closed fiber end; a diameter of about 2 microns to about 200 microns; a length of at least about 1 millimeter; an aspect ratio of greater than about 100; and a density of about 1 to about 4 g/cm 3 .

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the concentration of self-degrading fibers in the treatment fluid is about 0.01% to about 75% of the composition of the treatment fluid.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the outer shell of at least one of the self-degrading fibers comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: an aliphatic polyester; a poly(lactide); a poly(glycolide); a poly(ε-caprolactone); a poly(hydroxybutyrate); a polyanhydride; an aliphatic polycarbonate; a poly(orthoester); a poly(amide); a poly(urethane); a poly(hydroxy ester ether); and a poly(phosphazene).

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the core liquid of at least one of the self-degrading fibers comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: an alcohol, an acid, a base and an aqueous-based fluid.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the treatment fluid is selected from the group consisting of a cement composition, a fracturing fluid, and a gravel pack fluid.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein treating the subterranean formation involves at least one selected from the group consisting of: a primary cementing operation, placing a permeable cement pack, placing a permeable proppant pack, and placing a gravel pack.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the self-degrading fibers has a plurality of core liquids.

10. A method comprising:

providing a cement composition that comprises a hydraulic cement, water, and a plurality of self-degrading fibers, the self-degrading fibers comprising an outer shell and a core liquid;

placing the cement composition in a subterranean formation; and

allowing the cement composition to set therein.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the outer shell of at least one of the self-degrading fibers comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: an aliphatic polyester; a poly(lactide); a poly(glycolide); a poly(ε-caprolactone); a poly(hydroxybutyrate); a polyanhydride; an aliphatic polycarbonate; a poly(orthoester); a poly(amide); a poly(urethane); a poly(hydroxy ester ether); and a poly(phosphazene).

12. The method of claim 10 wherein at least one of the self-degrading fibers has at least one selected from the group consisting of: a round cross-sectional shape; an oval cross-sectional shape; a trilobal shape; a star shape; a flat shape; a rectangular shape; a closed fiber end; a diameter of about 2 microns to about 200 microns; a length of at least about 1 millimeter; an aspect ratio of greater than about 100; or a density of about 1 to about 4 g/cm 3 .

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the core liquid of at least one of the self-degrading fibers comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: an alcohol, an acid, a base and an aqueous-based fluid.

14. A method of fracturing a portion of a subterranean formation comprising:

providing a fracturing fluid composition that comprises proppant particulates and a plurality of self-degrading fibers, the self-degrading fibers comprising an outer shell and a core liquid;

injecting the fracturing fluid into the subterranean formation at a pressure sufficient to create or enhance a fracture in a portion therein; and

allowing the proppant particulates and self-degrading fibers to conglomerate within the fracture so as to form a permeable proppant matrix therein.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the fracturing fluid comprises a hydraulic cement.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein the fracturing fluid comprises a base fluid and a viscosifying agent.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein the outer shell of at least one of the self-degrading fibers comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of: an aliphatic polyester; a poly(lactide); a poly(glycolide); a poly(ε-caprolactone); a poly(hydroxybutyrate); a polyanhydride; an aliphatic polycarbonate; a poly(orthoester); a poly(amide); a poly(urethane); a poly(hydroxy ester ether); and a poly(phosphazene).

18. A method of providing some degree of sand control to a portion of a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore comprising:

providing a gravel pack fluid comprising gravel particulates and a plurality of self-degrading fibers, the self-degrading fibers comprising an outer shell and a core liquid; and

placing the gravel pack fluid into the subterranean formation so that a permeable gravel pack forms adjacent to a portion of the subterranean formation.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the self-degrading fibers produce an acid upon degradation that is capable of interacting with an acid soluble portion of a filter cake.

20. The method of claim 18 wherein before placing the gravel pack fluid into the subterranean formation, a perforated shroud having perforations is placed into the subterranean formation, the perforations being sealed by a temporary sealant, and the gravel pack fluid is placed between the perforated shroud and the portion of the subterranean formation.