Viscosified treatment fluids comprising scleroglucan or diutan and associated methods

Abstract

The present invention relates to viscosified treatment fluids comprising gelling agents that comprise scleroglucan or diutan, and their use in industrial and oil field operations. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating a portion of a subterranean formation with a viscosified treatment comprising a gelling agent that comprises scleroglucan or diutan. Methods of fracturing, gravel packing, and producing hydrocarbons also are provided. Viscosified treatment fluid compositions and methods of making such exemplary compositions are provided as well.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to viscosified treatment fluids used in industrial and oil field operations, and more particularly, to viscosified treatment fluids comprising gelling agents that comprise scleroglucan or diutan, and their use in industrial and oil field operations. [0002] In industrial and oil field operation, viscosified treatment fluids are often used to carry particulates into subterranean formations for various purposes, e.g., to deliver particulates to a desired location within a well bore. Examples of subterranean operations that use such viscosified treatment fluids include servicing and completion operations such as fracturing and gravel packing. In fracturing, generally, a viscosified fracturing fluid is used to carry proppant to fractures within the formation, inter alia, to maintain the integrity of those fractures to enhance the flow of desirable fluids to a well bore. In sand control operations such as gravel packing oper...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation comprising the steps of: providing a viscosified treatment fluid that comprises a gelling agent that comprises diutan; treating the portion of the subterranean formation; and reducing the viscosity of the viscosified treatment fluid using a breaker that comprises a peroxide.

[0007] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of reducing the viscosity of a viscosified treatment fluid that comprises a gelling agent that comprises diutan comprising contacting the viscosified treatment fluid with a breaker that comprises a peroxide.

[0009] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of placing a gravel pack in a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing a viscosified gravel pack fluid comprising gravel and a gelling agent that comprises diutan; contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with the viscosified gravel pack fluid so as to place a gravel pack in or near a portion of the subterranean formation; and reducing the viscosity of the viscosified gravel pack fluid with a breaker comprising a peroxide.

[0010] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of fracturing a portion of a subterranean formation comprising: providing a viscosified fracturing fluid comprising a gelling agent that comprises diutan; contacting the portion of the subterranean formation with the viscosified fracturing fluid at a sufficient pressure to create or enhance at least one fracture in the subterranean formation; and reducing the viscosity of the viscosified fracturing fluid with a breaker comprising a peroxide.

Problems solved by technology

), however, the sand suspension properties of such xanthan treatment fluids are diminished.

Consequently, xanthan may not be a suitable gelling agent for viscosified treatment fluids, such as fracturing fluid or gravel pack fluids, when those fluids are used in well bores that comprise elevated temperatures.