Method for the fracture stimulation of a subterranean formation having a wellbore by using thermoset polymer nanocomposite particles as proppants, where said particles are prepared by using formulations containing reactive ingredients obtained or derived from renewable feedstocks

Abstract

A method for fracture stimulation of a subterranean formation having a wellbore includes providing a thermoset polymer nanocomposite particle precursor composition comprising a polymer precursor mixture, dispersed within a liquid medium, containing at least one of a monomer, an oligomer or combinations thereof having three or more reactive functionalities capable of creating crosslinks between polymer chains, wherein 1% to 100% by weight of said polymer precursor mixture is obtained or derived from a renewable feedstock; and from 0.001 to 60 volume percent of nanofiller particles possessing a length that is less than 0.5 microns in at least one principal axis direction; subjecting the nanocomposite particle precursor composition to polymerizing conditions to form the polymeric nanocomposite particle, whereby said nanofiller particles are substantially incorporated into a polymer; forming a slurry comprising a fluid and a proppant, wherein said proppant comprises the nanocomposite particles, said nanocomposite particles being formed from a rigid thermoset polymer matrix; and injecting into the wellbore said slurry at sufficiently high rates and pressures such that said formation fails and fractures to accept said slurry.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 323,031 entitled “Thermoset Nanocomposite Particles, Processing For Their Production, And Their Use In Oil And Natural Gas Drilling Applications”, filed Dec. 30, 2005, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 640,965 filed Dec. 30, 2004. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 451,697 entitled “Thermoset Particles With Enhanced Crosslinking, Processing For Their Production, And Their Use In Oil And Natural Gas Drilling Applications”, filed Jun. 13, 2006. This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 695,745 entitled “A Method For The Fracture Stimulation Of A Subterranean Formation Having A Wellbore By Using Impact-Modified Thermoset Polymer Nanocomposite Particles As Proppants,” filed Apr. 3, 2007. The contents of prior application Ser. Nos. 11 / 323,...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The present invention relates to a method for fracture stimulation of a subterranean formation using ultralightweight thermoset polymer nanocomposite particles as proppants. The particles are made by a polymerization process using formulations containing reactive ingredients obtained or derived from renewable feedstocks. The particles have a matrix polymer that is a rigid thermoset, which is a stiff polymer with high elastic moduli at room temperature. The particles can also be postcured after polymerization. The use of these particles in fracture stimulation provides several technical effects, including improved fracture conductivity, reduced formation damage, and improved wellbore cleaning. The invention also provides a method for preparing the particles using specific types of rigid thermoset polymers and monomers."

Problems solved by technology

Consequently, while there are many potential applications for composites (prepared from renewable feedstocks) where biodegradability and / or other types of environmental degradability are among the key target properties, such composites are not optimal for use as proppants in implementing the fracture stimulation method of the invention, and will hence not be discussed further.

However, they were highly susceptible to water absorption in humid environments.

Water absorption caused their mechanical properties to deteriorate significantly.

Images