Method and composition for sealing a subsurface formation

    公开(公告)号:US11053428B2

    公开(公告)日:2021-07-06

    申请号:US16667263

    申请日:2019-10-29

    Abstract: A method for plugging and sealing subsurface formations using alkaline nanosilica dispersion and a delayed activation chemistry is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method includes introducing a mixture with a first pH into the subsurface formation. The mixture comprises an aqueous solution, an alkaline nanosilica dispersion and a water-insoluble hydrolyzable compound. The method further includes allowing the water-insoluble hydrolyzable compound to hydrolyze in the subsurface formation to form an acid at 70° C. or greater, thereby acidizing the mixture to a reduced second pH and causing the alkaline nanosilica dispersion to gel into a solid and seal the subsurface formation. A composition for sealing a subsurface formation is also disclosed. The composition includes an aqueous mixture including water, an alkaline nanosilica dispersion, and a water-insoluble hydrolyzable compound.

    METHOD AND MATERIALS TO CONVERT A DRILLING MUD INTO A SOLID GEL BASED LOST CIRCULATION MATERIAL

    公开(公告)号:US20200332174A1

    公开(公告)日:2020-10-22

    申请号:US16865719

    申请日:2020-05-04

    Abstract: A method for controlling loss circulation. The method includes introducing into a wellbore a nanosilica drilling fluid comprising water, an alkaline nanosilica dispersion, and at least one additive. The method further includes introducing into the nanosilica drilling fluid an amount of a chemical activator comprising a water soluble hydrolysable polyester to produce a convertible drilling mud where the convertible drilling mud has an initial pH between 8 and 11 upon formation. The method also includes allowing the chemical activator to hydrolyze to produce an acid and reduce the pH of the convertible drilling mud to less than a gel pH, thereby converting the convertible drilling mud into a solid gel lost circulation material. A convertible drilling mud operable to convert into a solid gel lost circulation material is also provided.

    Method and materials to convert a drilling mud into a solid gel based lost circulation material

    公开(公告)号:US10655049B1

    公开(公告)日:2020-05-19

    申请号:US16281535

    申请日:2019-02-21

    Abstract: A method for controlling loss circulation in a subterranean formation. The method includes circulating in a wellbore a nanosilica drilling fluid having a pH in a range of from about 8 to about 11 and a gel pH of less than 8, where the nanosilica drilling fluid includes an aqueous-based drilling mud and an alkaline nanosilica dispersion. The method also includes introducing into the nanosilica drilling fluid an amount of a chemical activator sufficient to produce a convertible drilling mud where the chemical activator is an acid and the pH of the convertible drilling mud is less than the gel pH. The method also includes allowing the convertible drilling mud to convert into the solid gel lost circulation material. A convertible drilling mud operable to convert into a solid gel lost circulation material is also provided.

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