US4336145A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Liquid gel concentrates and methods of using the same
Assignee: Halliburton Co
•
Filing: 1979-07-12
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Granted: 1982-06-22
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Expires: 1999-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A liquid gel concentrate for forming a high viscosity treating fluid is provided which can be premixed and stored before being used. The concentrate is comprised of water, a hydratable polymer which yields viscosity upon hydration and an inhibitor having the property of reversibly reacting with the hydratable polymer in a manner whereby the rate of hydration of the polymer is retarded. Upon the selective reversal of the hydration inhibiting reaction the polymer is hydrated and high viscosity yielded thereby. The concentrate can be utilized directly or it can be diluted with additional water to form a large volume of high viscosity treating fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 James E. Briscoe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:56
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/84; C09K8/86; C09K8/88; C09K8/90; C09K8/905; C09K8/62; C09K8/66; C09K8/68; C09K8/685; C09K8/72; C09K8/74; C09K8/76; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/922; Y10S507/933
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
A liquid gel concentrate comprising: water; hydroxypropyl guar hydratable polymer which yields viscosity upon hydration present in said concentrate in an amount of from about 700 to about 900 lbs/1000 gals. of water; sodium hydroxide present in said concentrate in an amount sufficient to produce a concentrate pH in the range of from about 9 to about 14; and sodium tetraborate inhibitor having the property of reversibly reacting with said hydratable polymer whereby the rate of hydration of said polymer is retarded at one condition to produce a concentrate effective storage life in the range of about 1-90 days and said reaction is reversed at another condition, said inhibitor being present in said concentrate in an amount of from about 6 to about 12 lbs/1000 gals. of water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
A liquid gel concentrate comprising: water; hydroxypropyl guar hydratable polymer which yields viscosity upon hydration present in said concentrate in an amount of from about 700 to about 900 lbs/1000 gals. of water; sodium hydroxide present in said concentrate in an amount sufficient to produce a concentrate pH in the range of from about 9 to about 14; and sodium tetraborate inhibitor having the property of reversibly reacting with said hydratable polymer whereby the rate of hydration of said polymer is retarded at one condition to produce a concentrate effective storage life in the range of about 1-90 days and said reaction is reversed at another condition, said inhibitor being present in said concentrate in an amount of from about 6 to about 12 lbs/1000 gals. of water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The liquid gel concentrate of claim 1 which is further characterized to include hydrated hydroxyethylcellulose present in said concentrate in an amount sufficient to increase the apparent viscosity of said concentrate to an initial value in the range of from about 10 centipoises to about 100 centipoises.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The liquid gel concentrate of claim 2 which is further characterized to include potassium chloride present in said concentrate in an amount up to about 2500 lbs/1000 gals. of water.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
138 words
A liquid gel concentrate comprising: water; guar gum hydratable polymer which yields viscosity upon hydration present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 300 lbs/1000 gals. of water to about 1500 lbs/1000 gals. of water; a base present in said concentrate in an amount sufficient to produce a concentrate pH in the range of from about 9 to about 13; and aluminum sulfate inhibitor having the property of reversibly reacting with said hydratable polymer whereby the rate of hydration of said polymer is retarded at one condition to produce a concentrate effective storage life in the range of about 1-90 days and said reaction is reversed at another condition, said inhibitor being present in said concentrate in an amount of about 20 lbs/1000 gals. of water to about 350 lbs/1000 gals. of water.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
138 words
A liquid gel concentrate comprising: water; guar gum hydratable polymer which yields viscosity upon hydration present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 300 lbs/1000 gals. of water to about 1500 lbs/1000 gals. of water; a base present in said concentrate in an amount sufficient to produce a concentrate pH in the range of from about 9 to about 13; and aluminum sulfate inhibitor having the property of reversibly reacting with said hydratable polymer whereby the rate of hydration of said polymer is retarded at one condition to produce a concentrate effective storage life in the range of about 1-90 days and said reaction is reversed at another condition, said inhibitor being present in said concentrate in an amount of about 20 lbs/1000 gals. of water to about 350 lbs/1000 gals. of water.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The liquid gel concentrate of claim 4 which is further characterized to include a hydrated polymer which is uninhibited by aluminum sulfate present in said concentrate in an amount sufficient to increase the apparent viscosity of said concentrate to an initial value in the range of from about 10 centipoises to about 100 centipoises.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The liquid gel concentrate of claim 5 which is further characterized to include a clay stabilizer present in said concentrate in an amount up to about 2500 lbs/1000 gals. of water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
A liquid gel concentrate comprising: water; carboxymethyl cellulose hydratable polymer which yields viscosity upon hydration present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 300 lbs/1000 gals. of water to about 3000 lbs/1000 gals. of water; and aluminum sulfate inhibitor having the property of reversibly reacting with said hydratable polymer whereby the rate of hydration of said polymer is retarded at one condition to produce a concentrate effective storage life of about 1-90 days and said reaction is reversed at another condition, said inhibitor being present in said concentrate in an amount of about 75 lbs/1000 gals. of water to about 750 lbs/1000 gals. of water.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
110 words
A liquid gel concentrate comprising: water; carboxymethyl cellulose hydratable polymer which yields viscosity upon hydration present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 300 lbs/1000 gals. of water to about 3000 lbs/1000 gals. of water; and aluminum sulfate inhibitor having the property of reversibly reacting with said hydratable polymer whereby the rate of hydration of said polymer is retarded at one condition to produce a concentrate effective storage life of about 1-90 days and said reaction is reversed at another condition, said inhibitor being present in said concentrate in an amount of about 75 lbs/1000 gals. of water to about 750 lbs/1000 gals. of water.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The liquid gel concentrate of claim 7 which is further characterized to include a hydrated polymer which is uninhibited by aluminum sulfate present in said concentrate in an amount sufficient to increase the apparent viscosity of said concentrate to an initial value in the range of from about 10 centipoises to about 100 centipoises.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The liquid gel concentrate of claim 8 which is further characterized to include a clay stabilizer present in said concentrate in an amount up to about 2500 lbs/1000 gals. of water.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of forming a high viscosity aqueous treating fluid comprising the steps of: forming an inhibited liquid gel concentrate comprised of water, hydroxypropyl guar hydratable polymer which yields viscosity upon hydration present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 300 to about 3000 lbs/1000 gals. of water, a base present in said concentrate in an amount sufficient to produce a concentrate pH in the range of from about 9 to about 14, and sodium tetraborate inhibitor having the property of reversibly reacting with said hydratable polymer whereby the rate of hydration of said polymer is retarded at one condition to produce a concentrate effective storage life of about 1-90 days and said reaction is reversed at another condition, said inhibitor being present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 0.1 lbs. to about 1000 lbs/1000 gals. of water; and combining an acid with said concentrate to lower the pH thereof to a value below about 9.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of forming a high viscosity aqueous treating fluid comprising the steps of: forming an inhibited liquid gel concentrate comprised of water, hydroxypropyl guar hydratable polymer which yields viscosity upon hydration present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 300 to about 3000 lbs/1000 gals. of water, a base present in said concentrate in an amount sufficient to produce a concentrate pH in the range of from about 9 to about 14, and sodium tetraborate inhibitor having the property of reversibly reacting with said hydratable polymer whereby the rate of hydration of said polymer is retarded at one condition to produce a concentrate effective storage life of about 1-90 days and said reaction is reversed at another condition, said inhibitor being present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 0.1 lbs. to about 1000 lbs/1000 gals. of water; and combining an acid with said concentrate to lower the pH thereof to a value below about 9.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 10 which is further characterized to include the step of diluting said concentrate with additional water to increase the volume of high viscosity treating fluid formed.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said liquid gel concentrate is further characterized to include a hydrated polymer which is uninhibited by sodium tetraborate present in said concentrate in an amount sufficient to increase the apparent viscosity of said concentrate to an initial value in the range of from about 10 centipoises to about 100 centipoises.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 12 wherein said liquid gel concentrate is further characterized to include a clay stabilizer present in said concentrate in an amount up to about 2500 lbs/1000 gals. of water.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of forming a high viscosity aqueous treating fluid comprising the steps of: forming an inhibited liquid gel concentrate comprised of water, hydroxypropyl guar hydratable polymer which yields viscosity upon hydration present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 300 to about 3000 lbs/1000 gals. of water, sodium hydroxide present in said concentrate in an amount sufficient to produce a concentrate pH in the range of from about 9 to about 14, and sodium tetraboratedecahydrate inhibitor having the property of reversibly reacting with said hydratable polymer whereby the rate of hydration of said polymer is retarded at one condition to produce a concentrate effective storage life of about 1-90 days and said reaction is reversed at another condition, said inhibitor being present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 0.1 lbs. to about 1000 lbs/1000 gals. of water; and heating said concentrate to a temperature above about 140° F.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
160 words
A method of forming a high viscosity aqueous treating fluid comprising the steps of: forming an inhibited liquid gel concentrate comprised of water, hydroxypropyl guar hydratable polymer which yields viscosity upon hydration present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 300 to about 3000 lbs/1000 gals. of water, sodium hydroxide present in said concentrate in an amount sufficient to produce a concentrate pH in the range of from about 9 to about 14, and sodium tetraboratedecahydrate inhibitor having the property of reversibly reacting with said hydratable polymer whereby the rate of hydration of said polymer is retarded at one condition to produce a concentrate effective storage life of about 1-90 days and said reaction is reversed at another condition, said inhibitor being present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 0.1 lbs. to about 1000 lbs/1000 gals. of water; and heating said concentrate to a temperature above about 140° F.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 14 which is further characterized to include the step of diluting said concentrate with additional water to increase the volume of high viscosity treating fluid formed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 15 wherein said liquid gel concentrate is further characterized to include hydrated hydroxyethylcellulose present in said concentrate in an amount sufficient to increase the apparent viscosity of said concentrate to an initial value in the range of from about 10 centipoises to about 100 centipoises.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 16 wherein said liquid gel concentrate is further characterized to include potassium chloride present in said concentrate in an amount up to about 2500 lbs/1000 gals. of water.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of forming a high viscosity aqueous treating fluid comprising the steps of: forming an inhibited liquid gel concentrate comprised of water, guar gum hydratable polymer which yields viscosity upon hydration present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 300 to about 1500 lbs/1000 gals. of water, sodium hydroxide present in said concentrate in an amount sufficient to produce a concentrate pH in the range of from about 9 to about 14, and aluminum sulfate inhibitor having the property of reversibly reacting with said hydratable polymer whereby the rate of hydration of said polymer is retarded at one condition to produce a concentrate effective storage life of about 1-90 days and said reaction is reversed at another condition, said inhibitor being present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 20 lbs. to about 350 lbs/1000 gals. of water; and combining an acid with said concentrate to lower the pH thereof to a value below about 9.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of forming a high viscosity aqueous treating fluid comprising the steps of: forming an inhibited liquid gel concentrate comprised of water, guar gum hydratable polymer which yields viscosity upon hydration present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 300 to about 1500 lbs/1000 gals. of water, sodium hydroxide present in said concentrate in an amount sufficient to produce a concentrate pH in the range of from about 9 to about 14, and aluminum sulfate inhibitor having the property of reversibly reacting with said hydratable polymer whereby the rate of hydration of said polymer is retarded at one condition to produce a concentrate effective storage life of about 1-90 days and said reaction is reversed at another condition, said inhibitor being present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 20 lbs. to about 350 lbs/1000 gals. of water; and combining an acid with said concentrate to lower the pH thereof to a value below about 9.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 18 which is further characterized to include the step of diluting said concentrate with additional water to increase the volume of high viscosity treating fluid formed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 19 wherein said liquid gel concentrate is further characterized to include a hydrated polymer which is uninhibited by aluminum sulfate present in said concentrate in an amount sufficient to increase the apparent viscosity of said concentrate to an initial value in the range of from about 10 centipoises to about 100 centipoises.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said liquid gel concentrate is further characterized to include a clay stabilizer present in said concentrate in an amount up to about 2500 lbs/1000 gals. of water.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of forming a high viscosity aqueous treating fluid comprising the steps of: forming an inhibited liquid gel concentrate comprised of water, carboxymethylcellulose hydratable polymer which yields viscosity upon hydration present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 300 lbs. to about 3000 lbs/1000 gals. of water and aluminum sulfate inhibitor having the property reversibly reacting with said hydratable polymer whereby the rate of hydration of said polymer is retarded at one condition to produce a concentrate effective storage life of about 1-90 days and said reaction is reversed at another condition, said inhibitor being present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 75 lbs. to about 750 lbs/1000 gals. of water; and combining a base with said concentrate to raise the pH of said concentrate to a value above about 8.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of forming a high viscosity aqueous treating fluid comprising the steps of: forming an inhibited liquid gel concentrate comprised of water, carboxymethylcellulose hydratable polymer which yields viscosity upon hydration present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 300 lbs. to about 3000 lbs/1000 gals. of water and aluminum sulfate inhibitor having the property reversibly reacting with said hydratable polymer whereby the rate of hydration of said polymer is retarded at one condition to produce a concentrate effective storage life of about 1-90 days and said reaction is reversed at another condition, said inhibitor being present in said concentrate in an amount in the range of from about 75 lbs. to about 750 lbs/1000 gals. of water; and combining a base with said concentrate to raise the pH of said concentrate to a value above about 8.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 22 which is further characterized to include the step of diluting said concentrate with additional water to increase the volume of high viscosity treating fluid formed.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said liquid gel concentrate is further characterized to include a hydrated polymer which is uninhibited by aluminum sulfate present in said concentrate in an amount sufficient to increase the apparent viscosity of said concentrate to an initial value in the range of from about 10 centipoises to about 100 centipoises.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 24 wherein said liquid gel concentrate is further characterized to include a clay stabilizer present in said concentrate in an amount up to about 2500 lbs/1000 gals. of water.
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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) | 1985-06-21 | 1985-12-21 | 1986-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-06-21 | 1989-12-21 | 1990-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-06-21 | 1993-12-21 | 1994-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |