Methods for stabilizing and stimulating wells in unconsolidated subterranean formations

Abstract

The present invention relates to methods of stabilizing an unconsolidated portion in a subterranean formation and stimulating fluid production from the stabilized portion. Some embodiments of the present invention provide methods of substantially stabilizing a portion of a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore and stimulating fluid production therefrom comprising placing a stabilizing composition into a near well bore area of a portion in a formation to create a stabilized portion; and, stimulating the stabilized portion so as to place the well bore in fluid communication with both the stabilized portion in the near-well bore area and an unstabilized portion of the formation in the far-well bore area.

1 . A method of substantially stabilizing a portion of a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore and stimulating fluid production therefrom comprising: 
 placing a stabilizing composition into a near well bore area of a portion in a formation to create a stabilized portion; and,    stimulating the stabilized portion so as to place the well bore in fluid communication with both the stabilized portion in the near-well bore area and an unstabilized portion of the formation in the far-well bore area.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the stabilizing composition comprises a curable resin composition.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the curable resin composition comprises a novolak resin, a polyepoxide resin, a phenol-aldehyde resin, a urea-aldehyde resin, a urethane resin, a phenolic resin, a furan/furfuryl alcohol resin, a phenolic/latex resin, a phenol formaldeyhe resin, a polyester resin, including hybrids and copolymers thereof, a polyurethane resin and hybrids and copolymers thereof, an acrylate resin, or a mixture thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising an internal catalyst or activator.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising a time-delayed catalyst or an external catalyst.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the stabilizing composition comprises a gelable composition.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the gelable composition comprises a gelable resin composition, a gelable aqueous silicate composition, a polymerizable organic monomer composition, or a crosslinkable aqueous polymer composition.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the gelable resin composition comprises a curable resin composition that comprises a curable resin, a diluent, and a resin curing agent.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the curable resin comprises an organic resin that comprises a polyepoxide resin, a polyester resin, a urea-aldehyde resin, a furan resin, a urethane resin, or a mixture thereof.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the diluent comprises a phenol, a formaldehyde, a furfuryl alcohol, a furfural, an alcohol, an ether, or a mixture thereof.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the diluent is present in the curable resin composition in an amount in the range of from about 5% to about 75% by weight of the curable resin.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the resin curing agent comprises an amine, a polyamine, an amide, a polyamide, or a methylene dianiline.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the resin curing agent is present in the curable resin composition in an amount in the range of from about 5% to about 75% by weight of the curable resin.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the curable resin composition further comprises a flexibilizer additive.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the flexibilizer additive comprises an organic ester, an oxygenated organic solvent, an aromatic solvent, or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the flexibilizer additive is present in the curable resin composition in an amount in the range of from about 5% to about 80% by weight of the curable resin.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the gelable aqueous silicate composition comprises an aqueous alkali metal silicate solution and a temperature activated catalyst.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the aqueous alkali metal silicate solution generally comprises an alkali metal silicate and an aqueous liquid.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the alkali metal silicate comprises sodium silicate, potassium silicate, lithium silicate, rubidium silicate, or cesium silicate.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the aqueous liquid comprises fresh water, salt water, brine, or seawater.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the temperature activated catalyst comprises an ammonium sulfate, a sodium acid pyrophosphate, a citric acid, or an ethyl acetate.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the polymerizable organic monomer composition comprises an aqueous-base fluid, a water soluble polymerizable organic monomer, an oxygen scavenger, and a primary initiator.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the aqueous solvent comprises fresh water, salt water, brine, seawater, or any other aqueous liquid that does not adversely react with the other components used in accordance with this invention or with the subterranean formation.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the water soluble polymerizable organic monomer comprises acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, methacrylamide, 2-methacrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, 2-dimethylacrylamide, vinyl sulfonic acid, N,N-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate, 2-triethylammoniumethylmethacrylate chloride, N,N-dimethyl-aminopropylmethacryl-amide, methacrylamidepropyltriethylammonium chloride, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl-phosphonic acid, methacryloyloxyethyl trimethylammonium sulfate, or a mixture thereof.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the water soluble polymerizable organic monomer comprises hydroxyethylacrylate, hydroxymethylacrylate, hydroxyethylmethacrylate, N-hydroxymethylacrylamide, N-hydroxy-methylmethacrylamide, polyethylene acrylate, polyethylene methacrylate, polyethylene glycol acrylate, polyethylene glycol methacrylate, hydroxyethylcellulose-vinyl phosphoric acid, or a mixture thereof.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the water soluble polymerizable organic monomer is present in the polymerizable organic monomer composition in an amount in the range of from about 1% to about 20% by weight of the aqueous-base fluid.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the oxygen scavenger comprises stannous chloride.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the oxygen scavenger is present in the polymerizable organic monomer composition in an amount in the range of from about 0.005% to about  0 . 1  % by weight of the polymerizable organic monomer composition.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the primary initiator comprises an alkali metal persulfate, a peroxide, an oxidation-reduction system employing reducing agents, or an azo polymerization initiator.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the primary initiator comprises 2,2′-azobis(2-imidazole-2-hydroxyethyl)propane, 2,2′-azobis(2-aminopropane), 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid), or 2,2′-azobis(2-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)propionamide.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the polymerizable organic monomer composition further comprises a secondary initiator.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 22  wherein the polymerizable organic monomer composition further comprises a crosslinking agent.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the crosslinkable aqueous polymer comprises an aqueous solvent, a crosslinkable polymer, and a crosslinking agent.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the aqueous solvent comprises fresh water, salt water, brine, seawater, or any other aqueous liquid that does not adversely react with the other components used in accordance with this invention or with the subterranean formation.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the crosslinkable polymer composition is present in the crosslinkable aqueous polymer composition in an amount in the range of from about 1% to about 30% by weight of the aqueous solvent.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the crosslinkable polymer comprises a carboxylate-containing polymer or an acrylamide-containing polymer.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the crosslinkable polymer is a polyacrylamide, a partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide, a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylate, or a carboxylate-containing terpolymers and tetrapolymers of acrylate.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the crosslinking agent comprises a molecule or complex containing a reactive transition metal cation.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the crosslinking agent comprises trivalent chromium cations complexed or bonded to anions, atomic oxygen, or water.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 33  wherein the crosslinking agent is present in the aqueous crosslinkable polymer composition in an amount in the range of from about 0.001% to about 5% by weight of the crosslinkable polymer composition.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the crosslinkable aqueous polymer further comprises a crosslinking delaying agent.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the crosslinking delaying agent comprises a polysaccharide crosslinking delaying agent.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the stabilizing composition penetrates into the near well bore area of a portion in a formation to a depth of from about a few inches to about three well bore diameters.  
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the stimulating step comprises hydrajetting, puncturing, fracturing, or a combinations thereof.  
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising the step of, after stimulating the stabilized portion, placing proppant into the area or fluid communication.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the proppant comprises a hardenable resin coating.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 45  wherein the proppant comprises a tackyfier coating.  
   
   
       48 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the well bore comprises an open hole well bore.  
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the well bore comprises a cased well bore.  
   
   
       50 . A method of controlling formation sands in a portion of a formation penetrated by a well bore and stimulating fluid production therefrom comprising: 
 placing a stabilizing composition into a near well bore area of a portion in a formation to create a stabilized portion; and,    stimulating the stabilized portion so as to place the well bore in fluid communication with both the stabilized portion in the near-well bore area and an unstabilized portion of the formation in the far-well bore area.    
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the stabilizing composition comprises a curable resin composition.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 51  wherein the curable resin composition comprises a novolak resin, a polyepoxide resin, a phenol-aldehyde resin, a urea-aldehyde resin, a urethane resin, a phenolic resin, a furan/furfuryl alcohol resin, a phenolic/latex resin, a phenol formaldeyhe resin, a polyester resin, including hybrids and copolymers thereof, a polyurethane resin and hybrids and copolymers thereof, an acrylate resin, or mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 51  further comprising an internal catalyst, an activator, a time-delayed catalyst, or an external catalyst.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the stabilizing composition comprises a gelable composition.  
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 54  wherein the gelable composition comprises a gelable resin composition, a gelable aqueous silicate composition, a polymerizable organic monomer composition, or a crosslinkable aqueous polymer composition.  
   
   
       56 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the gelable resin composition comprises a curable resin composition that comprises a curable resin, a diluent, and a resin curing agent.  
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 56  wherein the curable resin comprises an organic resin that comprises a polyepoxide resin, a polyester resin, a urea-aldehyde resin, a furan resin, a urethane resin, or a mixture thereof.  
   
   
       58 . The method of  claim 56  wherein the diluent comprises a phenol, a formaldehyde, a furfuryl alcohol, a furfural, an alcohol, an ether, or a mixture thereof.  
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 56  wherein the resin curing agent comprises an amine, a polyamine, an amide, a polyamide, or a methylene dianiline.  
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 56  wherein the curable resin composition further comprises a flexibilizer additive, wherein the flexibilizer additive comprises an organic ester, an oxygenated organic solvent, an aromatic solvent, or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the gelable aqueous silicate composition comprises an aqueous alkali metal silicate solution and a temperature activated catalyst.  
   
   
       62 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the aqueous alkali metal silicate solution generally comprises an aqueous liquid and an alkali metal silicate selected from the group consisting of sodium silicate, potassium silicate, lithium silicate, rubidium silicate, and cesium silicate.  
   
   
       63 . The method of  claim 61  wherein the temperature activated catalyst comprises an ammonium sulfate, a sodium acid pyrophosphate, a citric acid, or an ethyl acetate.  
   
   
       64 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the polymerizable organic monomer composition comprises an aqueous-base fluid, a water soluble polymerizable organic monomer, an oxygen scavenger, and a primary initiator.  
   
   
       65 . The method of  claim 64  wherein the water soluble polymerizable organic monomer comprises acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, methacrylamide, 2-methacrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, 2-dimethylacrylamide, vinyl sulfonic acid, N,N-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate, 2-triethylammoniumethylmethacrylate chloride, N,N-dimethyl-aminopropylmethacryl-amide, methacrylamidepropyltriethylammonium chloride, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl-phosphonic acid, methacryloyloxyethyl trimethylammonium sulfate, or a mixture thereof.  
   
   
       66 . The method of  claim 64  wherein the water soluble polymerizable organic monomer comprises hydroxyethylacrylate, hydroxymethylacrylate, hydroxyethylmethacrylate, N-hydroxymethylacrylamide, N-hydroxy-methylmethacrylamide, polyethylene acrylate, polyethylene methacrylate, polyethylene glycol acrylate, polyethylene glycol methacrylate, hydroxyethylcellulose-vinyl phosphoric acid, or a mixture thereof.  
   
   
       67 . The method of  claim 64  wherein the oxygen scavenger comprises stannous chloride.  
   
   
       68 . The method of  claim 64  wherein the primary initiator comprises an alkali metal persulfate, a peroxide, an oxidation-reduction system employing reducing agents, or an azo polymerization initiator.  
   
   
       69 . The method of  claim 64  wherein the primary initiator comprises 2,2′-azobis(2-imidazole-2-hydroxyethyl)propane, 2,2′-azobis(2-aminopropane), 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid), or 2,2′-azobis(2-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)propionamide.  
   
   
       70 . The method of  claim 55  wherein the crosslinkable aqueous polymer composition comprises an aqueous solvent, a crosslinkable polymer, and a crosslinking agent.  
   
   
       71 . The method of  claim 70  wherein the aqueous solvent comprises fresh water, salt water, brine, or seawater.  
   
   
       72 . The method of  claim 70  wherein the crosslinkable polymer comprises a carboxylate-containing polymer or an acrylamide-containing polymer.  
   
   
       73 . The method of  claim 70  wherein the crosslinkable polymer is a polyacrylamide, a partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide, a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylate, or a carboxylate-containing terpolymers and tetrapolymers of acrylate.  
   
   
       74 . The method of  claim 70  wherein the crosslinkable aqueous polymer further comprises a crosslinking delaying agent.  
   
   
       76 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the stabilizing composition penetrates into the near well bore area of a portion in a formation to a depth of from about a few inches to about three well bore diameters.  
   
   
       77 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the stimulating step comprises hydrajetting, puncturing, fracturing, or a combinations thereof.  
   
   
       78 . The method of  claim 50  further comprising the step of, after stimulating the stabilized portion, placing proppant into the area or fluid communication.  
   
   
       79 . The method of  claim 78  wherein the proppant comprises a hardenable resin coating.  
   
   
       80 . The method of  claim 78  wherein the proppant comprises a tackyfier coating.  
   
   
       81 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the well bore comprises an open hole well bore.  
   
   
       82 . The method of  claim 50  wherein the well bore comprises a cased well bore.  
   
   
       83 . A system for stabilizing and stimulating a portion of a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore comprising: 
 placing a stabilizing composition into a near well bore area of a portion in a formation to create a stabilized portion; and,    stimulating the stabilized portion so as to place the well bore in fluid communication with both the stabilized portion in the near-well bore area and an unstabilized portion of the formation in the far-well bore area.    
   
   
       84 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the stabilizing composition comprises a curable resin composition.  
   
   
       85 . The method of  claim 84  wherein the curable resin composition comprises a novolak resin, a polyepoxide resin, a phenol-aldehyde resin, a urea-aldehyde resin, a urethane resin, a phenolic resin, a furan/furfuryl alcohol resin, a phenolic/latex resin, a phenol formaldeyhe resin, a polyester resin, including hybrids and copolymers thereof, a polyurethane resin and hybrids and copolymers thereof, an acrylate resin, or mixtures thereof.  
   
   
       86 . The method of  claim 84  further comprising an internal catalyst, an activator, a time-delayed catalyst, or an external catalyst.  
   
   
       87 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the stabilizing composition comprises a gelable composition.  
   
   
       88 . The method of  claim 87  wherein the gelable composition comprises a gelable resin composition, a gelable aqueous silicate composition, a polymerizable organic monomer composition, or a crosslinkable aqueous polymer composition.  
   
   
       89 . The method of  claim 88  wherein the gelable resin composition comprises a curable resin composition that comprises a curable resin, a diluent, and a resin curing agent.  
   
   
       90 . The method of  claim 89  wherein the curable resin comprises an organic resin that comprises a polyepoxide resin, a polyester resin, a urea-aldehyde resin, a furan resin, a urethane resin, or a mixture thereof.  
   
   
       91 . The method of  claim 89  wherein the diluent comprises a phenol, a formaldehyde, a furfuryl alcohol, a furfural, an alcohol, an ether, or a mixture thereof.  
   
   
       92 . The method of  claim 89  wherein the resin curing agent comprises an amine, a polyamine, an amide, a polyamide, or a methylene dianiline.  
   
   
       93 . The method of  claim 89  wherein the curable resin composition further comprises a flexibilizer additive wherein the flexibilizer additive comprises an organic ester, an oxygenated organic solvent, an aromatic solvent, or combinations thereof.  
   
   
       94 . The method of  claim 88  wherein the gelable aqueous silicate composition comprises an aqueous alkali metal silicate solution and a temperature activated catalyst.  
   
   
       95 . The method of  claim 94  wherein the aqueous alkali metal silicate solution comprises an aqueous liquid and an alkali metal silicate selected from the group consisting of sodium silicate, potassium silicate, lithium silicate, rubidium silicate, and cesium silicate.  
   
   
       96 . The method of  claim 94  wherein the temperature activated catalyst comprises an ammonium sulfate, a sodium acid pyrophosphate, a citric acid, or an ethyl acetate.  
   
   
       97 . The method of  claim 88  wherein the polymerizable organic monomer composition comprises an aqueous-base fluid, a water soluble polymerizable organic monomer, an oxygen scavenger, and a primary initiator.  
   
   
       98 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the water soluble polymerizable organic monomer comprises acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, methacrylamide, 2-methacrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, 2-dimethylacrylamide, vinyl sulfonic acid, N,N-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate, 2-triethylammoniumethylmethacrylate chloride, N,N-dimethyl-aminopropylmethacryl-amide, methacrylamidepropyltriethylammonium chloride, N-vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl-phosphonic acid, methacryloyloxyethyl trimethylammonium sulfate, or a mixture thereof.  
   
   
       99 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the water soluble polymerizable organic monomer comprises hydroxyethylacrylate, hydroxymethylacrylate, hydroxyethylmethacrylate, N-hydroxymethylacrylamide, N-hydroxy-methylmethacrylamide, polyethylene acrylate, polyethylene methacrylate, polyethylene glycol acrylate, polyethylene glycol methacrylate, hydroxyethylcellulose-vinyl phosphoric acid, or a mixture thereof.  
   
   
       100 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the oxygen scavenger comprises stannous chloride.  
   
   
       101 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the primary initiator comprises an alkali metal persulfate, a peroxide, an oxidation-reduction system employing reducing agents, or an azo polymerization initiator.  
   
   
       102 . The method of  claim 97  wherein the primary initiator comprises 2,2′-azobis(2-imidazole-2-hydroxyethyl)propane, 2,2′-azobis(2-aminopropane), 4,4′-azobis(4-cyanovaleric acid), or 2,2′-azobis(2-methyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)propionamide.  
   
   
       103 . The method of  claim 88  wherein the crosslinkable aqueous polymer composition comprises an aqueous solvent, a crosslinkable polymer, and a crosslinking agent.  
   
   
       104 . The method of  claim 103  wherein the aqueous solvent comprises fresh water, salt water, brine, or seawater.  
   
   
       105 . The method of  claim 103  wherein the crosslinkable polymer comprises a carboxylate-containing polymer or an acrylamide-containing polymer.  
   
   
       106 . The method of  claim 103  wherein the crosslinkable polymer is a polyacrylamide, a partially hydrolyzed polyacrylamide, a copolymer of acrylamide and acrylate, or a carboxylate-containing terpolymers and tetrapolymers of acrylate.  
   
   
       107 . The method of  claim 103  wherein the aqueous crosslinkable polymer composition further comprises a crosslinking delaying agent.  
   
   
       108 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the stabilizing composition penetrates into the near well bore area of a portion in a formation to a depth of from about a few inches to about three well bore diameters.  
   
   
       109 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the stimulating step comprises hydrajetting, puncturing, fracturing, or a combinations thereof.  
   
   
       110 . The method of  claim 83  further comprising the step of, after stimulating the stabilized portion, placing proppant into the area or fluid communication.  
   
   
       111 . The method of  claim 110  wherein the proppant comprises a hardenable resin coating.  
   
   
       112 . The method of  claim 110  wherein the proppant comprises a tackyfier coating.  
   
   
       113 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the well bore comprises an open hole well bore.  
   
   
       114 . The method of  claim 83  wherein the well bore comprises a cased well bore.