The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 18, 2008
Filed:
May. 10, 2005
System stabilizers and performance enhancers for aqueous fluids gelled with viscoelastic surfactants
John Robert Willingham, Cypress, TX (US);
Allen D. Gabrysch, Houston, TX (US);
Patrick A. Kelly, Conroe, TX (US);
James B. Crews, Willis, TX (US);
James H. Treadway, Magnolia, TX (US);
John Robert Willingham, Cypress, TX (US);
Allen D. Gabrysch, Houston, TX (US);
Patrick A. Kelly, Conroe, TX (US);
James B. Crews, Willis, TX (US);
James H. Treadway, Magnolia, TX (US);
Baker Hughes Incorporated, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
An aqueous, viscoelastic fluid gelled with a viscoelastic surfactant (VES) is stabilized and improved with an effective amount of an alkali earth metal oxide and/or alkali earth metal hydroxide. These fluids are more stable and have reduced or no tendency to precipitate, particularly at elevated temperatures. The additives may also increase viscosity to the point where less VES is required to maintain a given viscosity. These stabilized, enhanced, aqueous viscoelastic fluids may be used as treatment fluids for subterranean hydrocarbon formations, such as in hydraulic fracturing.