Methods for Controlling Formation Fines Migration

Abstract

Generally, a consolidating treatment fluid includes at least an aqueous base fluid and an ultra-dilute water-based curable resin. The consolidating treatment fluid may be used in a plurality of subterranean operations to consolidate the unconsolidated particles within the subterranean formation.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]The present invention relates to methods for controlling formation fines migration.[0002]Hydrocarbon wells are often at least partially located in unconsolidated portions of a subterranean formation. As used herein, the term “unconsolidated portion of a subterranean formation” is used to mean a portion of a subterranean formation that comprises loose particulate matter (e.g., particulates of sandstones, carbonates, limestones, coal beds, shales, diatomites, and chalks) that can migrate out of the formation with, among other things, the oil, gas, water, and / or other fluids recovered out of the well. The particulate material in a relatively unconsolidated portion of a subterranean formation may be readily entrained by recovered fluids, for example, those wherein the particulates in that portion of the subterranean formation are bonded together with insufficient bond strength to withstand the forces produced by the production of fluids through those regions of the forma...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides methods for controlling the migration of unconsolidated formation fines in subterranean formations. The methods involve introducing a consolidating treatment fluid containing an aqueous base fluid, a water-based curable resin (usually a two-component epoxy-based resin), a curing agent, and a silane coupling agent, into the formation. The resin is then allowed to cure, consolidating the unconsolidated formation fines and producing hydrocarbon fluids. The benefits of the invention include improved wellbore stability, reduced fluid loss, improved oil and gas production, and reduced environmental contamination.

Problems solved by technology

The presence of particulate matter, such as sand, in the recovered fluids is disadvantageous and undesirable in that the particulates may abrade pumping and other producing equipment and reduce the fluid production capabilities of certain portions of a subterranean formation.

Generally, the concentration of the resins in the treatment fluids is relatively high, which leads to accumulation of the resins near the wellbore.

However, resin accumulation may hinder the penetration of additional resin into the subterranean formation, thereby yielding essentially a near-wellbore treatment that leaves formation fines further from the wellbore untreated.

Additionally, resin accumulation may lead to plugging of pores and interstitial space between formation fines once consolidated, which ultimately reduces the permeability of the subterranean formation.

When consolidating treatments adversely affect the permeability of zones in a subterranean formation, remedial clean-up operations may be necessary.

Often clean-up operations involve chemicals that are less environmentally friendly and more expensive than the original consolidating agents used.

Additionally, the increased rig-time before production of hydrocarbons can begin can be very costly.

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