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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Low temperature degradation of galactomannans

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5468797

This patent describes a method of fracturing a subterranean formation. It comprises: formulating a gellable fracturing fluid by blending together an aqueous fluid, a hydratable polymer, a suitable crosslinking agent for crosslinking the hydratable polymer to form a polymer gel, and an enzyme breaker; raising the pH of the fracturing fluid above about 9.0 to 10.5 whereby the enzyme breaker is inert; incorporating within the fracturing fluid of pH regulating substance which slowly hydrolyzes to produce a Bronsted acid, thereby dropping the pH of the fracturing fluid and activating the enzyme breaker with time to produce a controlled break of the polymer gel, the breaker being effective to degrade the polymer gel at temperatures below about 140-150 degrees F. within a time period less than about 24 hours.

Assignee:
BJ Services Co., Houston, TX (United States)
Patent Number(s):
A; US 5067566
Application Number:
PPN: US 7-640957
OSTI ID:
5468797
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English