Method of temporarily plugging an earth formation

Patent · Tue Aug 25 04:00:00 EDT 1970

OSTI ID:5269822

Darley, H C.H.

A method for temporarily preventing fluid invasion into a porous formation and subsequently permitting fluid flow is accomplished by dispersing a water-phase liquid in an oil-phase liquid and mixing the resultant dispersion with an amount of oil-wet, fine, acid-soluble solid particles sufficient to form an emulsion, which is stable at the temperature of the formation, only as long as the solid particles are present in their solid state. The formation is contacted with the emulsion at a pressure exceeding the pressure of fluid present in the formation, so as to form a substantially impermeable, emulsified filter cake on the surface of the earth formation. The filter cake is subsequently contacted with an acidic fluid capable of dissolving the emulsion stabilizing solid particles, so as to break down the emulsion and permit the fluid to invade the formation. (5 claims)

• Assignee: Shell Oil Co.
• Patent Number(s): US 3525397
• OSTI ID: 5269822
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020200* -- Petroleum-- Reserves
Geology
& Exploration
ACIDIZATION
CHEMICAL COATING
COLLOIDS
COMMINUTION
DEPOSITION
DISPERSIONS
EMULSIONS
FRACTURING
GEOLOGIC FORMATIONS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
OIL WELLS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PARTICLE RESUSPENSION
PARTICLES
PLUGGING
STABILITY
STIMULATION
SURFACE COATING
WATER
WELL COMPLETION
WELL STIMULATION
WELLS