Patent ID: 6016869
Filing Date: 2000-01-25
Classification: C09K,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of killing a well to substantially reduce volumetric flow of a formation fluid across a wellbore face into a wellbore penetrating a formation having a formation matrix and containing said formation fluid below an earthen surface, comprising:(a) providing a well kill additive comprising a dry mixture of water soluble crosslinkable polymer, a crosslinking agent, and a reinforcing material selected from among fibers and comminuted plant materials;(b) contacting said additive with water to form a well kill fluid;(c) placing said well kill fluid in said wellbore at said wellbore face, wherein said fluid which is placed at said wellbore face does not significantly penetrate the formation matrix;(d) forming a nonflowing fluid from said well kill fluid in said wellbore at said wellbore face to substantially reduce said volumetric flow of said formation fluid across said wellbore face into said wellbore, thereby killing said well; and(e) removing substantially all of said nonflowing fluid from said wellbore face to substantially restore the volumetric flow of said formation fluid into said wellbore.