Ernest M Brown

US Patent:

6729408, May 4, 2004

Filed:

Apr 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/117499

Inventors:

Jerald Hinkel - Houston TX
Ernest Brown - Katy TX
Curtis Boney - Houston TX
Gregory Sutton - Pearland TX

Assignee:

Schlumberger Technology Corp. - Sugar Land TX

International Classification:

E21B 4326

US Classification:

166308, 166311

Abstract:

Improved aqueous fracturing fluids are disclosed that are particularly useful as well stimulation fluids to fracture tight (i. e. , low permeability) subterranean formations. Gas wells treated with these fracturing fluids have rapid cleanup and enhanced well production. The fluids contain small but sufficient amounts of certain amine oxides to aid in the removal of the fracturing fluid from the formation. By facilitating the removal of fluid from the invaded zones, the amount of damage to the fracture faces in the formation is thereby minimized. The amine oxides correspond to the formula I, wherein R is an aliphatic group of from 6 to about 20 carbon atoms, and wherein R and R are each independently alkyl of from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. The amine oxides in which R is an alkyl group are preferred, and those in which R is an alkyl group of from 8 to 10 carbon atoms and R and R are each methyl or ethyl groups are most preferred.