Volatile-phosphorus free gelling agents
A gelling agent for a hydrocarbon fracturing fluid is disclosed, comprising the general formula of: in which X is an OR 1 , NR 1 R 2 , or SR 1 group, R 1 is an organic group having 2-24 carbon atoms, and R 2 is an organic group or a hydrogen. Y is an NR 3 R 4 or SR 3 group, R 3 is an organic group having 2-24 carbon atoms, and R 4 is an organic group or a hydrogen. A method of making a gelling agent for a hydrocarbon fracturing fluid is also disclosed. Phosphorus oxyhalide is reacted with a chemical reagent to produce substantially only diester phosphorus oxyhalide, the chemical reagent comprising at least one of an organic alcohol having 2-24 carbon atoms, an organic amine with an organic group having 2-24 carbon atoms, and an organic sulfide having 2-24 carbon atoms. The diester phosphorus oxyhalide is then hydrolyzed to produce diester phosphoric acid.
1. A gelling agent for a hydrocarbon fracturing fluid comprising the general formula of:
X being an OR 1 group, R l being an organic group having 2-24 carbon atoms; and
Y being an NR 3 R 4 group, R 3 being an organic group having 2-24carbon atoms, and R 4 being an organic group or a hydrogen.
2. The gelling agent of claim 1 in which R 1 is an alkyl group.
3. The gelling agent of claim 1 in which R 1 comprises at least one of a phenyl, aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyclo, and ether group.
4. The gelling agent of claim 1 in which R 3 is an alkyl group.
5. The gelling agent of claim 1 in which R 3 comprises at least one of a phenyl, aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyclo, and ether group.
6. The gelling agent of claim 1 in which R 4 is an alkyl group.
7. The gelling agent of claim 1 in which R 4 comprises at least one of a phenyl, aryl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cyclo, and ether group.
8. The gelling agent of claim 1 in which the gelling agent is substantially pure.
9. The gelling agent of claim 1 in which R 1 has 2-12 carbon atoms.
10. The gelling agent of claim 9 in which R 1 has 4-10 carbon atoms.
11. The gelling agent of claim 1 in which R 3 has 2-12 carbon atoms.
12. The gelling agent of claim 11 in which R 3 has 4-10 carbon atoms.
13. The gelling agent of claim 1 in which R 4 has 2-12 carbon atoms.
14. The gelling agent of claim 13 in which R 4 has 4-10 carbon atoms.
15. The gelling agent of claim 1 being for a hydrocarbon fracturing fluid comprising hydrocarbons having five or fewer carbons.
16. The gelling agent of claim 1 being for a hydrocarbon fracturing fluid excluding hydrocarbons having five or fewer carbons.
17. The gelling agent of claim 1 in which R 1 has 6-24 carbon atoms.
18. The gelling agent of claim 17 in which R 1 has 8-20 carbon atoms.
19. The gelling agent claim 1 in which R 3 has 6-24 carbon atoms.
20. The gelling agent of claim 19 in which R 3 has 8-20 carbon atoms.
21. The gelling agent of claim 1 in which R 4 is an organic group with 6-24 carbon atoms.
22. The gelling agent of claim 21 in which R 4 has 8-20 carbon atoms.
23. A gelled hydrocarbon fracturing fluid comprising a hydrocarbon fluid gelled with the gelling agent of claim 1 .
24. A gelled hydrocarbon fracturing fluid comprising a hydrocarbon fluid gelled with the gelling agent of claim 9 , the hydrocarbon fluid comprising hydrocarbons having five or fewer carbons.
25. The gelled hydrocarbon fracturing fluid of claim 24 in which the hydrocarbon fluid comprises liquefied petroleum gas.
26. A gelled hydrocarbon fracturing fluid comprising a hydrocarbon fluid gelled with the gelling agent of claim 16 the hydrocarbon fluid excluding hydrocarbons having five or fewer carbons.
27. The gelled hydrocarbon fracturing fluid of claim 23 further comprising at least one of an activator and a breaker.
28. A method of treating a subterranean formation comprising the steps of:
introducing the gelled hydrocarbon fracturing fluid of claim 23 into the subterranean formation; and
subjecting the gelled hydrocarbon fracturing fluid to pressures above the formation pressure.
29. The method of claim 28 in which the gelled hydrocarbon fracturing fluid is subjected to pressures at or above fracturing pressures.