Method of reducing circulation fluid loss using water absorbing polymer

Patent · Tue Feb 11 00:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:5423847

Reid, A L; Grichuk, H A

This patent describes a improvement in a process of reducing loss of circulation fluid during the grilling of a borehole penetration a subterranean formation by injecting into the borehole a slug of hydrocarbon containing a polymer capable of substantially expanding on contact with water, subsequently injecting into the borehole a discrete slug of water and forcing the water slug and the polymer slug into a lost circulation zone within the formation whereby the water absorbent polymer absorbs water to expand and close off the lost circulation zone. The improvement comprises: providing the hydrocarbon polymer mixture as a thixotropic hydrocarbon gel of a crosslinked polymer, the mixture being gelled by the presence of phosphorus-containing hydrocarbon gelling agents.

• Assignee: Nalco Chemical Co. (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5086841; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-656437
• OSTI ID: 5423847
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 19 Feb 1991
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
DRILLING FLUIDS
ADDITIVES
INJECTION WELLS
OIL WELLS
FLUID FLOW
GELS
HYDROCARBONS
MIXTURES
PHOSPHORUS ADDITIONS
POLYMERS
ROCK-FLUID INTERACTIONS
WELL DRILLING
WELL STIMULATION
ALLOYS
COLLOIDS
DISPERSIONS
DRILLING
FLUIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
STIMULATION
WELLS
020300* - Petroleum- Drilling & Production
023000 - Petroleum- Properties & Composition