Patent ID: 6877560

Claim:
A method of treating a subterranean formation penetrated by a well bore comprising the steps of: (a) providing a solution or mixture of a particulate solid polymer dissolved in or mixed with a water soluble or volatile liquid; (b) pumping an aqueous carrier fluid containing suspended particulate material through said well bore into said subterranean formation; (c) injecting or extruding said solution or mixture provided in accordance with step (a) through a plurality of small diameter ports into said aqueous carrier fluid pumped in accordance with step (b) whereby polymer fibers and strands are formed in said carrier fluid and are mixed with said particulate material suspended therein as said carrier fluid is pumped through said well bore; and (d) depositing the mixture of said particulate material and said fibers and strands formed in step (c) in said subterranean formation so that said mixture forms at least one permeable pack that prevents the production of formation sand and fines with fluids produced from said formation and prevents the flow-back of the deposited particulate solids, fibers or strands.