Patent ID: 6412561
Filing Date: 2002-07-02
Classification: C09K,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of fracturing a formation penetrated by a wellbore using a foamed viscoelastic surfactant fluid, comprising:(a) providing a viscoelastic surfactant fluid comprising (i) a thickening amount of a surfactant capable of forming wormlike micelles; and (ii) an aqueous medium; (b) generating a foamed viscoelastic surfactant fluid containing micelles, the micelles having a micellar structure of hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions; (c) pumping the foamed viscoelastic surfactant fluid containing micelles through a wellbore and into a formation at a pressure sufficient to fracture the formation, the formation having a hydrocarbon-bearing zone and an aqueous zone; (d) facilitating a decrease in viscosity of the viscoelastic surfactant fluid within the hydrocarbon-bearing zone; (e) maintaining integrity of the micellar structures within the aqueous zone; (f) thereby reducing the production of connate water from the formation.