Mary H Morrison

US Patent:

45031703, Mar 5, 1985

Filed:

Jul 21, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/400526

Inventors:

Evelyn N. Drake - Plainfield NJ
Mary E. Morrison - Houston TX
Charles R. Dawson - Houston TX

Assignee:

Exxon Production Research Co. - Houston TX

International Classification:

C08L 334
C08L 501
C08K 700
C08K 334

US Classification:

523130

Abstract:

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 intereact resulting in a semi-rigid high strength paste which plugs any unwanted flow.