Abstract: The materials include non-polyampholite crosslinked polymers and gels based on a polymer which in uncrosslinked form is substantially soluble in ionic fluids and substantially insoluble in water. The materials change their state of hydration in response to an environmental trigger. The disclosed materials are useful as drilling, completion or workover fluids in wells such as hydrocarbon producing wells. According to the disclosed method, crosslinked polymers or gels are introduced into a stratum, blocking or bridging the pores of the stratum. Thereafter, an environmental condition is changed to cause the hydrated material to become less hydrated to unblock the pores allowing production from the well.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 8, 1999
Date of Patent:
November 28, 2000
Assignee:
Baroid Drilling Fluids, Inc.
Inventors:
David Diggs, Marie Kearney, M. J. Timm, E. C. Lupton, Lev Bromberg, Mara Stein, Barry Hand, Michael Orkisz
Abstract: The materials include non-polyampholite crosslinked polymers and gels based on a polymer which in uncrosslinked form is substantially soluble in ionic fluids and substantially insoluble in water. The materials change their state of hydration in response to an environmental trigger. The disclosed materials are useful as drilling, completion or workover fluids in wells such as hydrocarbon producing wells. According to the disclosed method, crosslinked polymers or gels are introduced into a stratum, blocking or bridging the pores of the stratum. Thereafter, an environmental condition is changed to cause the hydrated material to become less hydrated to unblock the pores allowing production from the well.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 8, 1999
Date of Patent:
August 29, 2000
Assignee:
Baroid Drilling Fluids, Inc.
Inventors:
David Diggs, Marie Kearney, M. J. Timm, E. C. Lupton, Lev Bromberg, Mara Stein, Barry Hand, Michael Orkisz
Abstract: The materials include non-polyampholite crosslinked polymers and gels based on a polymer which in uncrosslinked form is substantially soluble in ionic fluids and substantially insoluble in water. The materials change their state of hydration in response to an environmental trigger. The disclosed materials are useful as drilling, completion or workover fluids in wells such as hydrocarbon producing wells. According to the disclosed method, crosslinked polymers or gels are introduced into a stratum, blocking or bridging the pores of the stratum. Thereafter, an environmental condition is changed to cause the hydrated material to become less hydrated to unblock the pores allowing production from the well.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 11, 1995
Date of Patent:
March 30, 1999
Assignee:
Baroid Drilling Fluids, Inc.
Inventors:
David Diggs, Marie Kearney, M. J. Timm, E. C. Lupton, Lev Bromberg, Mara Stein, Barry Hand, Michael Orkisz