Compositions containing aqueous viscosifying surfactants and methods for applying such compositions in subterranean formations

Abstract

The improved recovery of hydrocarbons from subterranean formations by hydraulically fracturing a subterranean formation is accomplished. Fracturing fluids using a viscosifying surfactant fluid containing viscosifying micelles, for example, wormlike micelles, are useful to improve recovery of hydrocarbons and limit the loss of fracturing fluid into the formation fracture face. The invention further relates to novel fracturing and acidizing methods useful for increasing hydrocarbon production, limiting water production, resisting fracturing fluid loss into the subterranean formation, and reducing the equipment requirements in mixing and pumping fracturing fluid. The action of viscosifying micelles of surfactant in aqueous zones of the subterranean formation diverts fracturing fluid or acid from the aqueous zones to the hydrocarbon-bearing zones and also facilitates the flowback of increased amounts of hydrocarbons once a fractured well is placed back on production. These methods selectively block the pore structure in a water-bearing zone and do not blocking the pore structure of a hydrocarbon zone at the formation face. The step for selectively blocking forms a plug of a viscous fluid containing viscosifying micelles in the pore structure of the water-bearing zone at the formation face.