US3954626A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Well treating composition and method
Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corp
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Filing: 1973-09-24
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Granted: 1976-05-04
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Expires: 1993-09-24
Abstract
Abstract Novel compositions comprise homogeneous mixtures of liquid carbon dioxide and an anhydrous lower alkanol gelled to a viscosity of at least 10 centipoises with a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose having a methoxyl degree of substitution of from 0.2 to 1.0 and a molar substitution of hydroxypropoxyl of at least 1.2. The compositions are employed in a method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore by injecting same under pressure down the wellbore and into the formation to stimulate production of natural gas or petroleum.
Inventors
- 👤 George K. Greminger, Jr.
- 👤 Carl P. Strange
- 👤 Samuel A. Pence, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:52
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/62; C09K8/64; E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26; E21B43/2605; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/922
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
In a method for fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore which comprises injecting down the wellbore and subjecting to fracturing pressure an essentially anhydrous mixture comprising liquid carbon dioxide and an alkanol of 1 to 3 carbon atoms gelled to a viscosity of at least 10 centipoises with a cellulose ether compound, the improvement which comprises employing as gelling agent a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose having a methoxyl D.S. of from about 0.2 to about 1.0 and a hydroxypropoxyl M.S. of at least about 1.2 and wherein the sum of said D.S. and M.S. is at least about 1.8.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
In a method for fracturing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore which comprises injecting down the wellbore and subjecting to fracturing pressure an essentially anhydrous mixture comprising liquid carbon dioxide and an alkanol of 1 to 3 carbon atoms gelled to a viscosity of at least 10 centipoises with a cellulose ether compound, the improvement which comprises employing as gelling agent a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose having a methoxyl D.S. of from about 0.2 to about 1.0 and a hydroxypropoxyl M.S. of at least about 1.2 and wherein the sum of said D.S. and M.S. is at least about 1.8.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the amount of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is adjusted to produce a gelled alkanol having an apparent viscosity of from about 120 to about 300 centipoises.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose has a hydroxypropoxyl M.S. of from about 1.2 to about 2.2.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose has a methoxyl D.S. of from 0.5 to 0.95.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the alkanol is essentially anhydrous methanol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the liquid carbon dioxide is combined with liquid petroleum gas.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the gelled alkanol carries a propping agent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the propping agent is sand.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
72 words
An anhydrous composition for fracturing a subterranean formation which comprises liquid carbon dioxide and an essentially anhydrous alkanol containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms and gelled to a viscosity of at least 10 centipoises with a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose have a methoxyl D.S. of from about 0.2 to about 1.0 and a hydropropoxyl M.S. of at least about 1.2 and wherein the sum of said D.S. and M.S. is at least about 1.8.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
72 words
An anhydrous composition for fracturing a subterranean formation which comprises liquid carbon dioxide and an essentially anhydrous alkanol containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms and gelled to a viscosity of at least 10 centipoises with a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose have a methoxyl D.S. of from about 0.2 to about 1.0 and a hydropropoxyl M.S. of at least about 1.2 and wherein the sum of said D.S. and M.S. is at least about 1.8.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The composition of claim 9 wherein the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose has a hydroxypropoxyl M.S. of from about 1.2 to about 2.2
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composition of claim 10 wherein the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose has a methoxyl D.S. of from 0.5 to 0.95.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composition of claim 9 wherein the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is employed in the amount of from 40 to 200 pounds per 1000 gallons of the alkanol.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The composition of claim 12 which contains as a third component liquid petroleum gas (LPG).
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A composition according to claim 13 wherein the proportions of liquid carbon dioxide to LPG to gelled alkanol by volume range, respectively, from 3 to 1 to 1 to 1 to 9 to 5.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-05-04 | 1979-11-03 | 1980-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-05-04 | 1983-11-03 | 1984-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-05-04 | 1987-11-03 | 1988-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |