Abstract: A polymerizable resin composition useful in downhole applications in a subterranean well is disclosed as including a furfuryl alcohol oligomer resin and a polymerization catalyst. The catalyst should be a C9 to C15 alkyl benzene sulfonic acid and preferably is a dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid. The polymerizable resin composition may also include an organic diluent selected from C3 to C8 alkyl esters, C1 to C6 alkyl alcohols; halogenated aromatics and mixtures thereof. Preferably the organic diluent is a C1 to C6 alkyl acetate and more preferably the organic diluent is butyl acetate. The polymerizable resin composition may include super-slurper polymers such as copolymers of starch and acrylamides or starch and acrylates. Solid particles may also be included in the polymerizable resin composition.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in a method for propping a fracture adjacent a wellbore formed by injecting in said fracture a carrier fluid containing proppant coated with a curable resin which improvement comprises:a) using proppant coated with a resin fluid containing a polymerizable oligomer of furfuryl alcohol resin, a catalyst comprising an oil soluble, slightly water soluble organic acid and an ester of a weak organic acid to consume water produced by the polymerization of resin;b) using as a carrier an aqueous saline fluid comprising water which is 70% to 100% saturated with sodium chloride,c) suspending said resin-coated proppant in the carrier fluid, forming a fluid mixture of resin-coated proppant and carrier fluid; and injecting said mixture into said fracture, wherein the timing of the addition of the catalyst can be varied.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for treating porous media such as subsurface storage tanks or excavations therefore to form primary or secondary permeability barriers. A treatment fluid comprising a polymerizable monomer, a diluent therefor, and a strong acid catalyst mixed with steam is injected into a volume to be treated and contacted with the interior surface thereof. Contact is maintained for a duration sufficient to cause polymerization to occur forming an impermeable barrier in or on the interior surface of the treated volume.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in a prepacked well screen assembly which includes coating the granular material in the filter medium with a resin system including an oligomer of furfuryl alcohol, a catalyst including an oil soluble, slightly water soluble organic acid, and an ester of a weak organic acid to consume water produced by the polymerization of the resin.

Abstract: An improved method for preventing iron precipitation from a spent oil well acidizing solution is disclosed. The acidizing solution is preceded into the tubular goods and formation by the injection of an iron sensitive, acid insensitive acidified surfactant solution.

Abstract: A method for fluid control or plugging of a well by injecting a mixture of an acid polymerizable resin, a polar organic diluent, and an acid catalyst, and later injecting an acidic fluid to quick-set a portion of the resin and hold it in place while the pre-mixed catalyst sets the resin. In an alternate sand consolidation embodiment, a fluid slug is injected between the resin and acidic fluid injections to create permeability in the resin saturated area of the formation prior to final set of the resin.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating wells to form a permeable barrier around the well for consolidating unconsolidated mineral particles such as sand in a subterranean petroleum formation penetrated by a well, or for forming an impermeable barrier for fluid entry control, or for plugging the well for abandonment. A fluid containing a polymerizable resin such as furfuryl alcohol, a polar organic diluent such as butyl acetate and a mixture of oil soluble acid catalysts including one low pK and one high pK acid to cause polymerization of the resin at formation temperatures is prepared. The preferred low pK acid is toluene sulfonic acid and the preferred high pK acid is oxalic acid. The two acids and total acid concentration are selected to cause the polymerization reaction to be essentially complete in from 0.75 to 4.0 hours and preferably 1.0-2.0 hours at the formation temperature. This fluid is injected into the formation to saturate at least a portion of the formation adjacent to the well.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating wells to form a permeable barrier around the well for consolidating unconsolidated mineral particles such as sand in a subterranean petroleum formation penetrated by a well, or for forming an impermeable barrier for fluid entry control, or for plugging the well for abandonment. A fluid containing a polymerizable resin such as furfuryl alcohol oligomer or monomer, a polar organic diluent such as butyl acetate a dense solvent having density greater than the resin density, and an oil soluble acid catalyst to cause polymerization of the resin at formation temperatures is prepared. The dense solvent is bromobutane, bromobenzene, furfural, tetrachloroethane, tetrachloroethylene, tetrabromoethane, 1,2,4 trichlorobenzene and 1,2,3 tribromopropane or mixtures thereof. The amount of dense solvent is selected to ensure that the treating fluid density is greater than the density of the formation fluid, preferably at least 10 greater than the density of the formation fluid.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for treating wells to form a permeable barrier around the well for consolidating unconsolidated mineral particles such as sand in a subterranean petroleum formation penetrated by a well, or for forming an impermeable barrier for fluid entry control, or for plugging the well for abandonment. A fluid containing a polymerizable resin such as furfuryl alcohol, a polar organic diluent such as butyl acetate and an oil soluble acid catalyst to cause polymerization of the resin at formation temperatures is prepared. The acid should have a pK in the range of 0.4 to 6.0. The acid and acid concentration are selected to cause the polymerization reaction to be essentially complete in from 0.75 to 4.0 hours and preferably 1.0-2.0 hours at the formation temperature. Usually the selected acid concentration will be in the range of from 0.2 to 5.0 percent. This fluid is injected into the formation to saturate at least a portion of the formation adjacent to the well.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for treating a subterranean formation to improve the permeability distribution by reducing the permeability in high permeability zones, so fluids injected for oil recovery purposes will sweep more uniformly through the formation. The processes involve injecting a polymerizable compound, preferably a monomer or oligomer of furfuryl alcohol, together with a diluent, preferably an ester such as butyl acetate, and a suitable acid catalyst for the formation conditions, generally toluenesulfonic acid. The fluid may be injected in a liquid phase or mixed with steam or non-condensable gas to form an aerosol, which is injected then into the formation prior to the injection of the oil recovery fluid, which may be water, surfactant fluid, polymer fluid, or steam.

Abstract: Disclosed are processes for treating a subterranean formation to improve the permeability distribution by reducing the permeability in high permeability zones, so fluids injected for oil recovery purposes will sweep more uniformly through the formation. The processes involve injecting a polymerizable compound, preferably a monomer or oligomer of furfuryl alcohol, together with a diluent, preferably an ester such as butyl acetate, and a suitable acid catalyst for the formation conditions, generally toluenesulfonic acid. The fluid may be injected in a liquid phase or mixed with steam or non-condensable gas to form an aerosol, which is injected then into the formation prior to the injection of the oil recovery fluid, which may be water, surfactant fluid, polymer fluid, or steam.

Abstract: Methods are provided for consolidating unconsolidated mineral grains such as sand within a subterranean oil formation to form a fluid permeable barrier which restrains the movement of sand particles when oil passes through the barrier. A quantity of an organic solvent, preferably an ester such as butyl acetate is injected into the formation as a preflush. Next, a liquid comprising a polymerizable oligomer such as furfuryl alcohol oligomer, an ester such as butyl acetate, and an acid catalyst such as toluene sulfonic acid is provided, then mixed with a noncondensable gas to form a multiphase or aerosol treating fluid, and the treating fluid is injected into the formation to be consolidated. The well is shut in for sufficient period of time for polymerization to convert the injected fluids into a permeable barrier around the wellbore.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of treating wells completed in subterranean formations containing unconsolidated sand particles, so as to form a permeable barrier which permits relatively free flow of liquids including petroleum therethrough while restraining the flow of sand particles into the wellbore. The method comprises formulating a treating fluid containing a compound which undergoes acid catalyzed polymerization, preferably an oligomer or furfuryl alcohol, and an anhydride of a strong acid such as phosphorous tribromide mixed in a suitable diluent such as methyl isobutyl ketone. The composition is injected into the formation. The anhydride reacts with trace amounts of water forming an acid which catalyzes the polymer. Polymerization produces more water to react with additional anhydride.

Abstract: Methods are provided for selectively consolidating naturally occurring mineral grains such as sand grains within a subterranean formation to form a fluid permeable barrier, which restrains the movement of sand particles when oil passes through the barrier. A sand consolidation fluid usually containing a monomer or oligomer of furfuryl alcohol is injected, either mixed with steam to form a multiphase treating fluid or injected as a liquid phase into the formation. The fluid contains an acid catalyst and an ester and an effective amount of a swelling polymer to reduce shrinkage of the furfuryl alcohol when it polymerizes in the formation. A preferred swelling polymer is a copolymer of starch and an acrylamides or acrylates.

Abstract: Wells penetrating oil-producing and water-producing intervals may be treated in order to reduce the flow rate of water into the well by isolating the water-producing interval and introducing into it a volume of treating fluids sufficient to invade at least six inches into the permeable formation comprising the water-producing interval. Cased wells may be treated to plug holes in the casing caused by corrosion or casing breaks by introducing a treating fluid into the formation adjacent to the break. The treating fluid comprises a material which can be acid catalyzed in a period of from 1 to 16 hours at formation conditions, preferably a monomer or oligomer of furfuryl alcohol. The treating fluid contains from 40 to 60 percent furfuryl alcohol and from 40 to 60 percent of an ester, preferably ethyl acetate or butyl acetate. The catalyst is preferably orthonitrobenzoic acid or toluene sulfonic acid in a concentration of from 1 to 4 percent by weight.

Abstract: Wells penetrating oil-producing and water-producing intervals may be treated in order to reduce the flow rate of water into the well by isolating the water-producing interval and introducing into it a volume of treating fluids sufficient to invade at least six inches into the water-producing interval. Cased wells may be treated to plug holes in the casing caused by corrosion or casing breaks by introducing a treating fluid into the formation adjacent to the break. The treating fluid comprises a material which can be acid catalyzed in a period of from 1 to 16 hours at formation conditions, preferably a monomer or oligomer of furfuryl alcohol. The treating fluid contains from 40 to 60 percent furfuryl alcohol and from 40 to 60 percent of an ester, preferably ethyl acetate or butyl acetate. The catalyst is preferably orthonitrobenzoic acid or toluene sulfonic acid in a concentration of from 1 to 4 percent by weight, selected to produce a set time at the formation temperature in the range of from 1 to 16 hours.

Abstract: The disclosed invention is a method for reducing lost circulation in wellbores. In the method, a liquidized sand, comprised of a particulate material, a resin, and a carrier fluid comprising a surfactant mixed with air, is injected into the wellbore. The liquidized sand is then allowed to solidify in the lost circulation area, thereby sealing the area and reducing or eliminating the lost circulation.

Abstract: Methods are provided for selectively consolidating naturally occurring mineral grains such as sand grains within a subterranean formation to form a fluid permeable barrier, which restrains the movement of said particles when oil passes through the barrier. When applied to formations in which at least a portion of the sand grains are coated with a viscous oily residue of crude oil, or where the pore spaces between the sand grains contain excessive quantities of water, either of which interfere with the polymerization of the polymerizable monomer employed for said consolidation, a preflush is utilized which functions both to remove the oily residue from the said grains and to remove water from the pore spaces of the formation adjacent to the wellbore. the preflush is preferably an ester such as ethyl acetate or butyl acetate in an amount sufficient to occupy substantially all of the pore space of the formation into which the polymerizable component employed for sand consolidation are subsequently injected.

Abstract: Methods are provided for selectively consolidating naturally occurring mineral grains such as sand within a subterranean formation to form a fluid permeable barrier which restrains the movement of sand particles when oil passes through the barrier. A fluid comprising a polymerizable monomer such as furfural alcohol and as a diluent, a polar organic solvent such as methanol and a strong, non-volatile acid catalyst such as sulfuric acid is provided, mixed with steam to form a multiphase or aerosol treating fluid, and injected into the formation to be consolidated. An ester such as butyl acetate is incorporated in the fluid when the steam quality is less than 80 percent. The well is shut in for sufficient period of time for polymerization to convert the injected fluids into a permeable barrier around the wellbore.

Abstract: We have found that it is possible to produce resin coated particular matter having uniform coating of resin to protect the particles against erosion or dissolution on contact with high pH fluids. The coated sand or other particles is produced by introducing the particles into a mixing device, to which is added a resin mixture comprising a urea formaldehyde resin and a furfural alcohol resin. The sand and resin mixture is mixed for sufficient time to accomplish uniform coating of the sand particle with the resin mixture. Next a foaming aqueous surfactant containing fluid is added which causes the resin-coated sand particles to be suspended in the foaming aqueous mixture. The surfactant fluid also contains acid catalyst. This mixture is allowed to set for a period of time after which the coated particles are washed and then cured at 300.degree. C. to accomplsih drying and complete the polymerization reaction.