Patent ID: 6435277
Filing Date: 2002-08-20
Classification: C09K,E21B,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of reducing fluid loss into a formation during hydraulic fracturing of the formation, comprising:a) generating a viscous fluid comprising viscosifying micelles by blending a surfactant-based fracturing fluid, wherein the surfactant-based fracturing fluid comprises a surfactant and an aqueous medium, the surfactant being capable of forming viscosifying micelles and being present in an amount at least capable of producing a desired viscosity the viscosifying micelles being capable of supporting an increased viscosity of the fluid and being capable of selectively forming and disbanding based upon the polarity of the surrounding fluid in the formation; and b) pumping the viscous fluid comprising viscosifying micelles through a wellbore and into a formation at a pressure sufficient to fracture the formation, the formation having a fracture face engaged by the fluid and comprising at least one largely hydrocarbon-bearing zone, whereby the loss of the viscous fluid into the fracture face is reduced and the volume of the viscous fluid necessary for fracturing the formation is reduced.