Establishing control of oil and gas producing wellbore through application of self-degrading particulates

Abstract

Remediation of a hydrocarbon producing well bore in a subterranean formation includes injecting fluid containing self-degrading particulates into the well bore in order to stop production of hydrocarbon from the well bore prior to commencement of remedial operations and to temporarily seal the well bore from fluid transmission between the well bore and the formation prior to commencement of the remedial operations, and commencing the remedial operations upon the well bore. Examples of the remedial operations include injecting weighted fluid into the well bore, inserting a down-hole tool into the well bore, casing treatment, annulus treatment, well bore wall treatment, cementing, and refracturing. For refracturing, the fluid containing the self-degrading particulates can be injected until a down-hole pressure exceeds a fracture breakdown pressure of new fractures that will be produced by a perforating tool lowered into the well bore.