Drag-reducing copolymer compositions

Abstract

A method of preparing and using a drag-reducing composition in a well treatment operation includes the step of preparing the drag-reducing composition by mixing a polymer emulsion that includes a first surfactant and a first solvent, with a second surfactant and a second solvent. The method continues with the step of combining the drag-reducing composition with an aqueous treatment fluid. The method further includes the step of injecting the drag-reducing composition and aqueous treatment fluid into a subterranean formation, a pipeline or a gathering line.

It is claimed: 
     
         1 . A drag-reducing additive for use in a well, pipeline, or gathering line, the drag-reducing additive comprising:
 40-85% by weight of a dispersion polymer, wherein the dispersion polymer comprises a polymer in an aqueous mixture;   10-35% by weight of a surfactant with an HLB greater than 8; and   5-30% by weight of a solvent.   
     
     
         2 . The drag-reducing additive of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a copolymer. 
     
     
         3 . The drag-reducing additive of  claim 2 , wherein the copolymer comprises acrylamide and acrylic acid. 
     
     
         4 . The drag-reducing additive of  claim 3 , wherein the copolymer comprises polyacrylamide and a monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, sodium acrylate, methylacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride, diallyldimethylammonium chloride, and dimethylaminoethylacrylate methyl chloride quaternary salt. 
     
     
         5 . The drag-reducing additive of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer is a water-soluble homopolymer. 
     
     
         6 . The drag-reducing additive of  claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises a terpene. 
     
     
         7 . The drag-reducing additive of  claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises a terpenoid. 
     
     
         8 . The drag-reducing additive of  claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises d-limonene. 
     
     
         9 . The drag-reducing additive of  claim 1 , wherein the solvent comprises a plant-derived terpene. 
     
     
         10 . The drag-reducing additive of  claim 1 , wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated castor oils, and ethoxylated sorbitan monooleates. 
     
     
         11 . An additive for use in a well, pipeline, or gathering line comprising:
 about 50-99% by weight of a polymer emulsion, wherein the polymer emulsion comprises a polymer, a first surfactant, and a first solvent;   about 1-50% by weight of a second surfactant with an HLB greater than 8;   less than about 5% by weight of a second solvent; and   wherein the additive comprises a paste-like, highly viscous material.   
     
     
         12 . The additive of  claim 11 , wherein the polymer is a copolymer. 
     
     
         13 . The additive of  claim 12 , wherein the copolymer comprises acrylamide and acrylic acid. 
     
     
         14 . The additive of  claim 12 , wherein the second surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alcohol ether sulfate, ethoxylated castor oil, and ethoxylated sorbitan monooleate. 
     
     
         15 . The additive of  claim 12 , wherein the polymer is a water-soluble homopolymer. 
     
     
         16 . A drag-reducing additive for use with an aqueous treatment fluid in a well, pipeline, or gathering line, the drag-reducing additive comprising:
 40-85% by weight of a dispersion polymer, wherein the dispersion polymer comprises dry polymer dissolved in an aqueous mixture;   10-35% by weight of a surfactant with an HLB greater than 8; and   5-30% by weight of a solvent.   
     
     
         17 . The drag-reducing additive of  claim 16 , wherein the solvent comprises a terpene. 
     
     
         18 . The drag-reducing additive of  claim 16 , wherein the solvent comprises a terpenoid. 
     
     
         19 . The drag-reducing additive of  claim 16 , wherein the solvent comprises d-limonene. 
     
     
         20 . The drag-reducing additive of  claim 16 , wherein the solvent comprises a plant-derived terpene. 
     
     
         21 . The drag-reducing additive of  claim 16 , wherein the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alcohol ether sulfate, ethoxylated castor oil, and ethoxylated sorbitan monooleate.