The present invention relates to subterranean treatment operations. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved treatment fluids and methods of using such improved treatment fluids in subterranean formations. An example of a method of the present invention is a method of treating a subterranean formation. Another example of a method of the present invention is a method of drilling in a subterranean formation. Another example of a method of the present invention is a method of degrading a filter cake in a subterranean formation. An example of a composition of the present invention is a treatment fluid comprising a degradable diverting agent. Another example of a composition of the present invention is a degradable diverting agent for use in a subterranean treatment fluid.
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for degrading filter cakes in subterranean formations, and more specifically, to improved methods and compositions for degrading filter cakes that comprise acid-soluble portions and polymeric portions. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method of degrading a filter cake comprising an acid-soluble portion and a polymeric portion in a subterranean formation comprising the steps of: introducing a filter cake degradation composition comprising a delayed-release acid component and a delayed-release oxidizer component to a well bore penetrating the subterranean formation; allowing the delayed-release acid component to release an acid derivative and the delayed-release oxidizer component to release an acid-consuming component; allowing the acid-consuming component to interact with the acid derivative to delay a reaction between at least a portion of the acid derivative and at least a portion of the acid-soluble portion of the filter cake and to produce hydrogen peroxide; allowing the acid derivative to degrade at least a portion of the acid-soluble portion of the filter cake after a delay period; and allowing the hydrogen peroxide to degrade at least a portion of the polymeric portion of the filter cake.
Particulate compositions that comprise macro-particulates, and degradable particulates in an amount sufficient to reduce friction between the macro-particulates, the degradable particulates having a mean particle diameter of at least about 20 times smaller than the mean particle diameter of the macro-particulates are disclosed herein. Also disclosed are fluids that comprise a liquid component, and a particulate composition, the particulate composition comprising macro-particulates and degradable particulates having a mean particle diameter of at least about 20 times smaller than the mean particle diameter of the macro-particulates, wherein the degradable particulates are present in the particulate composition in an amount sufficient to reduce friction between the macro-particulates. Methods of using the particulate compositions and fluids are also disclosed.
The present invention relates to methods for treating subterranean formations. A method, that comprises providing a treatment fluid that comprises an aqueous fluid, and a degradable surfactant derived from a degradable polymer; and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation, is provided.