IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,528,044
Granted Patent B2
US 9,528,044 · App. 13/733,927 · Granted Dec 27, 2016

Methods using stimulation-capable drill-in and completion fluids

Inventors: Ryan Van Zanten (Houston, TX); Abdalla Moustafa Ezzat (Houston, TX)
Assignee: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
C09K8/88C09K8/12C09K8/508E21B43/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,528,044
App. No.
13/733,927
Granted
Dec 27, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods comprising providing a drill-in fluid including an aqueous carrier fluid, a surfactant; and a self-degradable filter cake-forming agent which includes a plurality of degradable particulates which are operable to form an acid upon degradation, and a plurality of acid-degradable particulates. Drilling a wellbore through a reservoir section of a subterranean formation with the drill-in fluid, forming a thin internal filter cake within the wellbore from the self-degradable filter cake-forming agent. Releasing an acid derivative from at least a portion of the plurality of degradable particulates, interacting the acid with the filter cake so as to at least partially degrade the acid-degradable particulates therein. Thereby at least partially removing the filter cake allowing quick lift off of the remaining particulates, and producing a hydrocarbon fluid or gas from the subterranean formation.

Claims (39)

1. A method comprising:

providing a drill-in fluid consisting of:

an aqueous fluid;

a microemulsion-forming surfactant consisting of an alkyl propoxy-ethoxysulfate; and

a self-degradable filter cake-forming agent, the self-degradable filter cake-forming agent consisting of:

a plurality of degradable particulates, the plurality of degradable particulates being operable to form an acid upon degradation; and

a plurality of acid-degradable particulates;

drilling a wellbore through a reservoir section of a subterranean formation with the drill-in fluid wherein the microemulsion-forming surfactant alters the wettability of a surrounding reservoir and forms a microemulsion in situ with hydrocarbons present in the subterranean formation;

forming an internal filter cake within the wellbore from the self-degradable filter cake-forming agent;

providing an in situ generated acid from at least a portion of the plurality of degradable particulates;

allowing the in situ generated acid to interact with the filter cake so as to at least partially degrade the filter cake such that any non-degraded portion of the filter cake is removed by lift off; and

producing a hydrocarbon gas from the subterranean formation.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein drilling a wellbore comprises drilling a multi-lateral horizontal wellbore system.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of degradable particulates comprises an acid-generating substance selected from the group consisting of a polyester, a polylactide, a polyglycolide, a poly(e-caprolactone), a polyanhydride, a poly(orthoester), a poly(amino acid), and any combination thereof.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of degradable particulates comprises poly(lactic acid).

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of acid-degradable particulates comprises calcium carbonate particulates.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the drill-in fluid comprises between about 0.01 wt. % and about 20 wt. % of the surfactant.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the drill-in fluid comprises between about 1 wt. % and about 10 wt. % of the plurality of degradable particulates being operable to form an acid upon degradation.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the drill-in fluid comprises between about 1 wt. % and about 25 wt. % of the plurality of degradable particulates being operable to form an acid upon degradation.

9. A method comprising:

providing a completion fluid consisting of:

an aqueous carrier fluid;

a microemulsion-forming surfactant consisting of an alkyl propoxy-ethoxysulfate; and

a self-degradable fluid sealing agent, the self-degradable fluid sealing agent consisting of:

a plurality of degradable particulates, the plurality of degradable particulates being operable to release an acid upon degradation; and

a plurality of sized acid-degradable particulates;

introducing the completion fluid into an uncompleted wellbore penetrating a subterranean formation wherein the microemulsion-forming surfactant alters the wettability of a surrounding reservoir and forms a microemulsion in situ with hydrocarbons present in the subterranean formation;

forming a fluid seal within the uncompleted wellbore from the self-degradable fluid sealing agent;

performing a completion operation in the uncompleted wellbore;

providing an in situ generated acid from at least a portion of the plurality of degradable particulates;

allowing the in situ generated acid to interact with the fluid seal so as to at least partially degrade the fluid seal, thereby at least partially removing the fluid seal; and

producing a hydrocarbon gas from the subterranean formation.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of the completion fluid penetrates into the subterranean formation from the uncompleted wellbore.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of degradable particulates comprises an acid-generating substance selected from the group consisting of a polyester, a polylactide, a polyglycolide, a poly(e-caprolactone), a polyanhydride, a poly(orthoester), a poly(amino acid), and any combination thereof.

12. The method of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of degradable particulates comprises poly(lactic acid).

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of acid-degradable particulates comprises calcium carbonate particulates.

14. The method of claim 9 , wherein the completion fluid comprises between about 0.01 wt. % and about 20 wt. % of the surfactant.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the completion fluid comprises between about 1 wt. % and about 10 wt. % of the plurality of degradable particulates being operable to form an acid upon degradation.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the completion fluid comprises between about 1 wt. % and about 25 wt. % of the plurality of degradable particulates being operable to release an acid upon degradation.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 6, 2013
From: EZZAT, ABDALLA MOUSTAFA; VAN ZANTEN, RYAN
To: HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES, INC.
Reel/Frame 030352/0624 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20140190695A1 · Jul 10, 2014