Method and system for providing temporary formation sealant

Abstract

A method and system for providing a temporary sealant within a wellbore of a subterranean formation is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the temporary sealant comprises a particulate material and a liquid. The particulate material and the liquid are mixed to a predetermined dilution ratio. The temporary sealant is pumped into fractures via an open hole of the wellbore. The particulate material accumulates and is left within the fractures to set. Over a predetermined period of time, the particulate material degrades, disintegrates, or dissolves within the fractures.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 preparing a temporary sealant comprising a particulate material and a liquid according, the particulate material and the liquid being mixed to a predetermined dilution ratio;   pumping the temporary sealant into fractures via an open hole of a wellbore in a subterranean formation;   allowing the particulate material to accumulate and set within the fractures; and   allowing the temporary sealant to degrade, disintegrate, or dissolve within the fractures over a predetermined period of time.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising drilling the open hole after the particulate material is set within the fractures. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the open hole is drilled to a total depth (TD). 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the predetermined dilution, ratio is determined according to a drilling schedule. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , the predetermined dilution ratio is determined according to a pumping capacity of a pump used to pump the temporary sealant. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , the predetermined dilution ratio is determined according to a size, a number, a volume, and/or porosity of the fractures. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising circulating the liquid of the temporary sealant out of the wellbore. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the period is affected by a temperature, a pressure, and/or a chemical condition of the fractures. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temporary sealant is used for oil and gas well (O&G) hydraulic fracturing. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the temporary sealant is used for hychoshearing stimulation in an enhanced geothermal system (EGS). 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the temporary sealant is pumped at a pump pressure under a shear failure pressure. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the pump pressure is controlled to prevent a tensile failure of the fractures. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising allowing formation rock faces of the subterranean formation to slip with respect to each other. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the particulate material is Boehmite or Twaron. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising measuring a flow impedance pressure while pumping the temporary sealant, and determining to stop pumping when the flow impedance pressure reaches to a threshold pressure.