Method and apparatus for zonal isolation of subterranean formations using set-on-demand slurries

Abstract

Methods are disclosed for providing zonal isolation of subterranian formations. One embodiment may include mixing a dry blended material with water at a central location to create a suspension, transferring the suspension to one or more storage tanks at the central location, transferring the suspension to one or more storage tanks at a rig site, recirculating the suspension in the one or more storage tanks at the rig site, and pumping the suspension into a well. Another embodiment may include mixing a dry blended material with water in one or more storage tanks at a rig site to create a suspension, recirculating the suspension in the one or more storage tanks at the rig site, and pumping the suspension into a well.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of providing zonal isolation of subterranean formations, comprising:
 mixing a dry blended material with a liquid at a central location to create a suspension;   transferring the suspension to one or more storage tanks at the central location;   recirculating the suspension in the one or more storage tanks at the central location;   transferring the suspension to one or more storage tanks at a rig site;   recirculating the suspension in the one or more storage tanks at the rig site; and   pumping the suspension into a well.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising adding an accelerator to the suspension at the time of pumping. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising adding at least one additive to the suspension at a designated time prior to pumping. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising foaming the suspension after adding the accelerator. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising testing the suspension at the central location. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising adjusting the properties of the suspension in response to the testing at the central location. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising testing the suspension at the rig site. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising adjusting the properties of the suspension in response to the testing at the rig site. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more storage tanks comprise at least one of a suspension storage tank, an accelerant storage tank, and an additive storage tank. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising storing the suspension in the one or more storage tanks at the central location. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising storing the suspension in the one or more storage tanks at the rig site. 
     
     
         12 . A method of providing zonal isolation of subterranean formations, comprising:
 mixing a dry blended material with a liquid in one or more storage tanks at a rig site to create a suspension;   recirculating the suspension in the one or more storage tanks at the rig site; and   pumping the suspension into a well.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising adding an accelerator to the suspension at a designated time prior to pumping. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising adding at least one additive to the suspension at a designated time prior to pumping. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising foaming the suspension after adding the accelerator. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising testing the suspension at the rig site. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising adjusting the properties of the suspension in response to the testing at the rig site. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the one or more storage tanks comprise at least one of a suspension storage tank, an accelerant storage tank, and an additive storage tank. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the dry blended material is mixed in the one or more storage tanks at a rig site to create a suspension. 
     
     
         20 . A method of providing zonal isolation of subterranean formations, comprising:
 mixing a dry blended material with a liquid in one or more storage tanks at a rig site to create a suspension;   recirculating the suspension in the one or more storage tanks at the rig site;   storing the suspension in the one or more storage tanks at the rig site   adding at least one additive to the suspension at a designated time prior to pumping; and   pumping the suspension into a well.