Sand grains coated with a solid non-cured epoxy resin with a softening point above 35.degree. C. are placed in a well for gravel pack, well repair or fracturing purposes. The epoxy resin softens at formation temperature and reacts with a hardener (such as a tertiary amine) diluted in water present in the pore space of the mass of sand grains. A consolidated mass of sand grains is thus obtained. The coated sand grains can be transported to the well site and stored over long periods at relatively high temperatures without risk of quality decrease.
A method of treating an underground formation is provided, the method including sequential steps of: (a) contacting the formation with an aqueous medium; (b) contacting the formation with a hydrocarbon fluid; (c) contacting the formation with a solvent in the form of a glycol ether; (d) contacting the formation with a consolidation solution of between 30 and 60 % m of monomeric and/or polymeric organic polyepoxides having more than one epoxy group per molecule and between 5 and 20% m of a curing agent in the solvent; and (e) contacting the formation with a viscosified fluid containing aliphatic hydrocarbons.
A well treating composition comprising: a gelled carrier; a particulate material; an epoxy resin system including at least one epoxy resin; and a finely-divided hardening agent which, when dissolved, is operable for hardening the epoxy resin. The finely-divided hardening agent is dispersed in the epoxy resin system. A method of treating a subterranean zone located in a well comprising the steps of: (a) preparing the above-described treating composition; (b) injecting the treating composition into the well such that the treating composition is placed in the subterranean zone; and (c) maintaining the finely-divided hardening agent under conditions such that, prior to injecting the treating composition into the well, the finely-divided hardening agent does not substantially dissolve.
In one embodiment, an epoxy resin composition is provided comprising: an epoxy resin and a partially reduced aromatic amine hardening agent. In another embodiment, a well treating composition is provided comprising: an epoxy resin; a partially reduced aromatic amine hardening agent; a solid particulate material; and a carrier fluid. In yet another embodiment, a method of treating a subterranean formation is provided. The inventive method comprises the step of placing the inventive well treating composition into the formation.
In one embodiment, an epoxy resin composition is provided comprising: an epoxy resin and a partially reduced aromatic amine hardening agent. In another embodiment, a well treating composition is provided comprising: an epoxy resin; a partially reduced aromatic amine hardening agent; a solid particulate material; and a carrier fluid. In yet another embodiment, a method of treating a subterranean formation is provided. The inventive method comprises the step of placing the inventive well treating composition into the formation.
An improved method for completing wells formed in both consolidated and unconsolidated formations is disclosed. Further, methods are disclosed for completing deviated wells formed in consolidated formations which require stimulation by hydraulic fracturing. The present invention specifically relates to more efficient, less expensive techniques for well completion comprising novel techniques for the utilization of permeably consolidatably, resin coated particulates.
