Methods for Controlling Formation Fines Migration

Abstract

Generally, a consolidating treatment fluid includes at least an aqueous base fluid and an ultra-dilute water-based curable resin. The consolidating treatment fluid may be used in a plurality of subterranean operations to consolidate the unconsolidated particles within the subterranean formation.

The invention claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method comprising:
 providing a consolidating treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous base fluid and a water-based curable resin at about 0.01% to about 3% by weight of the aqueous base fluid;   introducing the consolidating treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation comprising unconsolidated formation fines; and   allowing the resin to cure so as to consolidate the unconsolidated formation fines.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the water-based curable resin comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of an epoxy-based resin, a novolak resin, a polyepoxide resin, a phenol-aldehyde resin, a urea-aldehyde resin, a urethane resin, a phenolic resin, a furan resin, a furan/furfuryl alcohol resin, a phenolic/latex resin, a phenol formaldehyde resin, a polyester resin and hybrids and copolymers thereof, a polyurethane resin and hybrids and copolymers thereof, an acrylate resin, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the water-based curable resin comprises a two-component epoxy-based resin at about 0.01% to about 3% by weight of the aqueous base fluid, an amine-based curing agent at about 0.01% to about 3% by weight of the aqueous base fluid, and a silane coupling agent at about 0.01% to about 2% by weight of the aqueous base fluid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the consolidating treatment fluid is foamed. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the consolidating treatment fluid further comprises a clay stabilizing agent. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the consolidating treatment fluid further comprises at least one additive selected from the group consisting of a salt, a weighting agent, an inert solid, a fluid loss control agent, an emulsifier, a dispersion aid, a corrosion inhibitor, an emulsion thinner, an emulsion thickener, a viscosifying agent, a gelling agent, a surfactant, a particulate, a proppant, a gravel particulate, a lost circulation material, a pH control additive, a breaker, a biocide, a crosslinker, a stabilizer, a chelating agent, a scale inhibitor, a gas hydrate inhibitor, a mutual solvent, an oxidizer, a reducer, a friction reducer, a clay stabilizing agent, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein introducing the consolidating treatment fluid is at matrix flow rate. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 introducing a preflush treatment fluid prior to introduction of the consolidating treatment fluid, wherein the preflush treatment fluid comprises a second aqueous base fluid. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 producing hydrocarbons is from a production wellbore; and 
 wherein introducing the consolidating treatment fluid is through an injection wellbore. 
 
     
     
         10 . A method comprising, in order:
 introducing a preflush treatment fluid into at least a portion of a subterranean formation comprising unconsolidated formation fines, the preflush treatment fluid comprising a first aqueous base fluid;   introducing a consolidating treatment fluid in the portion of the subterranean formation, the treatment fluid comprising a second aqueous base fluid and a water-based curable resin at about 0.01% to about 3% by weight of the second aqueous base fluid;   allowing the resin to cure so as to consolidate the unconsolidated formation fines; and   producing hydrocarbon fluids from the portion of the subterranean formation.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the water-based curable resin comprises at least one selected from the group consisting of an epoxy-based resin, a novolak resin, a polyepoxide resin, a phenol-aldehyde resin, a urea-aldehyde resin, a urethane resin, a phenolic resin, a furan resin, a furan/furfuryl alcohol resin, a phenolic/latex resin, a phenol formaldehyde resin, a polyester resin and hybrids and copolymers thereof, a polyurethane resin and hybrids and copolymers thereof, an acrylate resin, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the water-based curable resin comprises a two-component epoxy-based resin at about 0.01% to about 3% by weight of the second aqueous base fluid, an amine-based curing agent at about 0.01% to about 3% by weight of the second aqueous base fluid, and a silane coupling agent at about 0.01% to about 2% by weight of the second aqueous base fluid. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the consolidating treatment fluid is foamed. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the consolidating treatment fluid further comprises a clay stabilizing agent. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein introducing the consolidating treatment fluid is at matrix flow rate. 
     
     
         16 . A method comprising, in order:
 introducing a consolidating treatment fluid in the portion of the subterranean formation, the treatment fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, a two-component epoxy-based resin at about 0.01% to about 3% by weight of the aqueous base fluid, an amine-based curing agent at about 0.01% to about 3% by weight of the aqueous base fluid, and a silane coupling agent at about 0.01% to about 2% by weight of the aqueous base fluid;   allowing the resin to cure so as to consolidate the unconsolidated formation fines; and   producing hydrocarbon fluids from the portion of the subterranean formation.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the consolidating treatment fluid is foamed. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the consolidating treatment fluid further comprises a clay stabilizing agent. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein introducing the consolidating treatment fluid is at matrix flow rate. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein introducing the consolidating treatment fluid is through an injection wellbore and producing hydrocarbons is from a production wellbore.