Patent ID: 6599863
Filing Date: 2003-07-29
Classification: C09K,Y10S

Abstract:
A method of fracturing a subterranean formation comprisingproviding a fluid suspension comprising an aqueous liquid, a gellant in an amount sufficient to gel the fluid suspension, proppant, and solid particulate matter comprising an organic polymeric compound having an average molecular weight of at least 10,000, selected from polyester, polyurethane, polymers of acrylic acid, aramides, acrylonitrile, polyamides, vinylidene, olefins, diolefins, vinyl alcohol, and vinyl chloride, or mixture of such polymers, and which compound or compounds react or decompose over time under downwell conditions, in an amount at least sufficient to provide a concentration of a composition or compositions, upon such reaction or decomposition of the particulate matter, effective to degrade gel formed by the suspension; pumping the fluid suspension downwell under fracturing conditions and forming or extending a fracture in the subterranean formation, and depositing gelled suspension in the fracture; allowing gelled suspension in said fracture to break due to degradation by said composition or compositions.