Shear thickening fluid
The instant invention is directed to shear thickening fluids to prevent unwanted flow in wells penetrating subterranean formations. The shear thickening fluids comprise (1) a water swellable granular clay present in sufficient quantity so that, upon interaction with an aqueous phase, a stiff paste rapidly forms having a strength of at least 2000 lbs/100 ft/sup 2/, (2) a nonaqueous phase comprising a hydrocarbon material and a surfactant, and (3) an aqueous phase comprising water and a watersoluble polymer. The granular clay and water-polymer solution are kept separated by the intervening hydrocarbon-surfactant composition, which is the continuous phase. The intervening oil phase prevents the interaction between the water-polymer phase and the granular clay and results in a stable, nonreacting, pumpable composite until such time as the granular clay is fragmented by application of a sufficiently high shear force. Upon such fragmenting, the clay and aqueous phase interact resulting in a semi-rigid high strength paste which plugs any unwanted flow.
- Assignee:
- Exxon Production Research Co.
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4503170
- OSTI ID:
- 5393720
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 21 Jul 1982; Other Information: PAT-APPL-400526
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
03 NATURAL GAS
NATURAL GAS WELLS
PLUGGING
OIL WELLS
PLUGGING AGENTS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
CLAYS
LIQUID FLOW
POLYMERS
SHEAR
WELL STIMULATION
DISPERSIONS
FLUID FLOW
MIXTURES
SOLUTIONS
STIMULATION
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
030300 - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing