Degradable particulate generation and associated methods

Abstract

Herein provided are methods for producing degradable particulates at a drill site, and methods related to the use of such degradable particulates in subterranean applications. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method comprising: providing a degradable polymer solvent mixture that comprises a degradable polymer and a first solvent; and mixing the degradable polymer solvent mixture with a second solvent at a drill site with shear to form a solid liquid dispersion comprising a solid phase and a liquid phase, the solid phase comprising degradable particulates and the liquid phase comprising the first solvent and the second solvent.

1 . A method comprising: 
 providing a degradable polymer solvent mixture that comprises a degradable polymer and a first solvent; and    mixing the degradable polymer solvent mixture with a second solvent at a drill site with shear to form a solid liquid dispersion comprising a solid phase and a liquid phase, the solid phase comprising degradable particulates and the liquid phase comprising the first solvent and the second solvent.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first solvent and the second solvent are at least partially soluble in each other.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the shear is introduced by a high speed disperser, a jet nozzle, or an in-line mixer.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second solvent comprises a treatment fluid in which the degradable particulates will be introduced into a subterranean formation.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the degradable polymer solvent mixture is a solution, suspension, or an emulsion.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the solid liquid dispersion comprises a surfactant.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the degradable polymer comprises at least one of the following: an aliphatic polyester; a poly(lactide); a poly(hydroxy ester ether); a poly(glycolide); a poly(ε-caprolactone); a poly(hydroxybutyrate); a poly(anhydride); an aliphatic polycarbonate; a poly(orthoester); a poly(amino acid); a poly(ethylene oxide); a poly(phosphazene); a polyether ester; a polyester amide; a polyamide; a copolymer or a blend thereof.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the degradable polymer comprises a plasticizer.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second solvent comprises an aqueous-based solvent and the first solvent is soluble in the second solvent.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein in the degradable polymer solvent mixture comprises an oxidizer, a salt, or an acid-soluble material.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising using at least a portion of the degradable particulates in a subterranean application to divert a fluid within the subterranean formation.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising incorporating at least a portion of the degradable particulates into a viscosified treatment fluid, the degradable particulates being capable of acting as a viscosity breaker for the viscosified treatment fluid.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising incorporating at least a portion of the degradable particulates into a gravel pack.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising incorporating at least a portion of the degradable particulates into a filter cake, at least a portion of the degradable particulates being capable of acting as degradable bridging agents in the filter cake.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising placing at least a portion of the degradable particulates in a cement composition that comprises a hydraulic cement and water.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising using at least a portion of the degradable particulates as fluid loss control agents in a subterranean application.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising: incorporating at least a portion of the degradable particulates into a fracturing fluid that comprises proppant particulates; allowing a portion of the proppant particulates to form a proppant matrix that comprises at least a plurality of the degradable particulates within a fracture in a subterranean formation; and allowing the degradable particulates to degrade so as to form at least one void in the proppant matrix.  
   
   
       18 . A method comprising: 
 providing a treatment fluid at a drill site, the treatment fluid comprising degradable particulates, wherein at least a portion of the degradable particulates have been made by a precipation method at the drill site; and    introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation at the drill site.    
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the degradable polymer comprises at least one of the following: an aliphatic polyester; a poly(lactide); a poly(hydroxy ester ether); a poly(glycolide); a poly(ε-caprolactone); a poly(hydroxybutyrate); a poly(anhydride); an aliphatic polycarbonate; a poly(orthoester); a poly(amino acid); a poly(ethylene oxide); a poly(phosphazene); a polyether ester; a polyester amide; a polyamide; a copolymer or a blend thereof.  
   
   
       20 . A method comprising: 
 providing a degradable polymer solvent mixture that comprises a degradable polymer and a first solvent;    mixing the degradable polymer solvent mixture with a second solvent at a drill site with shear to form a solid liquid dispersion comprising a solid phase and a liquid phase, the solid phase comprising degradable particulates and the liquid phase comprising the first solvent and the second solvent; and introducing the second solvent and at least a portion of the degradable particulates into a well bore penetrating a subterranean formation at the drill site.