Downhole polymer foam applications

Abstract

A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore by contacting an energized fluid with the subterranean formation; and reducing a partial pressure of the energized fluid by an amount sufficient to form polymeric foam structure within the subterranean formation

1 .- 18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A method comprising:
 providing a completion in a subterranean formation comprising a wellbore connected to the subterranean formation;   placing a polymer component into the wellbore;   pumping an energized fluid into the wellbore;   reducing the pressure of the energized fluid;   allowing the energized fluid to escape from the wellbore, forming a polymeric foam structure.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the completion comprises a screen, located in the wellbore, such as to provide an annular space between the wellbore and the screen. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the completion comprises at least one of an open hole, a cased hole, a gravel pack, a propped hydraulic fracture, or a frac and pack. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 20  wherein the polymer component is placed into the annular space between the wellbore and the screen. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the energized fluid comprises a gas component selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, air, argon, carbon dioxide, helium, krypton, xenon, natural gas, methane, ethane, propane, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the energized fluid comprises a polymer swelling solvent. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the polymer component comprises a reactive polymer. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the polymer component comprises one or more polymer materials. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the polymer component further comprises a catalyst. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the energized fluid further comprises at least one solid selected from the group consisting of inorganic solids, organic solids, and combinations thereof; and wherein the polymeric foam structure further comprises the at least one solid. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28  wherein the at least one solid is selected from the group consisting of a filler material, beads, ceramics, sand, salts, bauxite, glass, glass beads, metal beads, fibres, thermoplastic fibres, polylactic acid polyester fibers, natural organic fibres, synthetic polymer fibres, polyglycolic acid polyester fibres, polyvinyl alcohol fibres, polyester fibres, polyaramide fibres, polyamide fibres, novoloid fibres, novoloid-type fibres, fibrillated synthetic organic fibres, ceramic fibres, inorganic fibres, metal fibres, metal filaments, carbon fibres, glass fibres, natural polymer fibres, thermoplastic pellets, thermoset pellets, thermoset beads, wood chips, extruded solids, sand coated with a polymer resin, bauxite coated with a polymer resin, ceramics coated with a polymer resin, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising one of etching or wormholing the polymeric foam structure with a treatment selected from an acid treatment or an oxidizer treatment. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the treatment of the polymeric foam structure comprises contacting the polymeric foam structure with at least one treatment component selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, mud acid, citric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrofluoric acid, acid-precursor compounds capable of generating acids selected from the group consisting of organic esters, ammonium bifluoride, persulfates, bromides, organic peroxides, organic peresters, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the polymer component comprises a polymer material selected from the group consisting of i) a reactive polymer, ii) a thermoplastic non-reactive polymer, and iii) combinations thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  wherein the reactive polymer is selected from the group consisting of epoxy resin, phenoxy resin, phenol formaldehyde resin, melamine formaldehyde resin, polysiloxane, reactive polyester resin, and combinations thereof; and wherein the thermoplastic non-reactive polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl acetate and copolymers, polylactic acid, perfluoroacrylate (PFA), polyglycolic acid, polyhydroxybutyrate, bisphenol A (acetone) polycarbonate, bisphenol F (formaldehyde) polycarbonate, polymethyl acrylate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene carbonate, polyethylene and copolymers, polypropylene and copolymers, polystyrene and copolymers, polyoxymethylene and copolymers, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the method comprises at least one of a fracturing application and a wellbore consolidation. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the method comprises at least one of conformance control and enhanced oil recovery. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the polymeric foam structure comprises a thermoplastic foam structure. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the method comprises placing the polymeric foam structure in a fracture in the subterranean formation. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the method comprises placing the polymeric foam structure in a gravel pack in the subterranean formation.