Gelled hydrocarbons for oilfield processes and methods of use
Gelled liquid hydrocarbons and methods for gelling hydrocarbons and treating subterranean wellbores employ a phosphorus compound of the formula: wherein, X is a straight chained alkyl or alkoxy group having 5 to 18 carbon atoms in combination with a polyvalent metal source.
1. A gelled hydrocarbon liquid comprising:
a hydrocarbon liquid;
1 to 15 kg/m 3 (w/v hydrocarbon liquid) of a phosphorus compound of formula (I):
wherein, X is a straight chained alkyl or alkoxy group having 5 to 18 carbon atoms; and
0.1 to 7.5 kg/m 3 (w/v hydrocarbon liquid) of a polyvalent metal cross linking agent.
2. The gelled hydrocarbon liquid of claim 1 wherein the phosphorus compound of the formula (I) is a monosubstituted phosphinic acid of the formula:
R is a straight chained alkyl group having 5 to 18 carbon atoms.
3. The gelled hydrocarbon liquid of claim 1 wherein the phosphorus compound of the formula (I) is a monoester of phosphorous acid of the formula:
wherein, R is a straight chained alkyl group having 5 to 18 carbon atoms.
4. The gelled hydrocarbon liquid of claim 3 wherein R has 6 to 11 carbon atoms.
5. The gelled hydrocarbon liquid of claim 1 wherein the phosphorus compound of the formula (I) is selected from the group consisting of: n-hexyl phosphorous acid, n-octyl phosphorous acid, n-nonyl phosphorous acid, n-decyl phosphorous acid, n-undecyl phosphorous acid, or a combination of two or more thereof.
6. The gelled hydrocarbon liquid of claim 1 further comprising one or more of a proppant material, a non emulsifier and a gel breaker.
7. The gelled hydrocarbon liquid of claim 1 wherein the cross linking agent is based on aluminum (III), iron (III) or iron (II).
8. The gelled hydrocarbon liquid of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon liquid is suitable for wellbore formation and treatment operations.
9. The gelled hydrocarbon liquid of claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbon liquid includes one or more of a condensate, a distillate, mineral oil and fuel oil.