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

Method and composition for treating subterranean formations

Patent ·
OSTI ID:6089770

A method of treating permeable subterranean formations is described in which a novel particulate composition in fluid suspension is injected through the well bore and into the formation. In its broadest aspect, the invention comprises the injection of a fluid suspension of solid particles of a homogeneous mixture of a polymer and an alcohol having a melting point above about 120$F, through a well bore and into a subterranean formation penetrated by the well bore. This solid particulate composition is insoluble in water and slowly soluble in hydrocarbon liquid, rendering the material effective as a selective temporary plugging or diverting agent, as a fluid-loss additive, as a temporary propping agent and as a propping agent spacer. The improved technique of this invention is applicable to many important well-treating processes utilized to increase the recovery of oil and gas from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation, such as hydraulic fracturing, the injection of treating fluids into the formation, in secondary recovery operations, and in the completion of well bores drilled into hydrocarbon producing permeable formations. (31 claims)

Assignee:
TUL; EDB-82-009926
Patent Number(s):
US 3363690
OSTI ID:
6089770
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English