Delayed water-swelling materials and methods of use

摘要

A water absorbing composition includes a particle having a core of a water-swelling material. A coating substantially surrounds the core that temporarily prevents contact of water with the water-swelling material. The coating may be formed from a layer of water degradable material or a non-water-degradable, non-water absorbent encapsulating layer. A quantity of particles including delayed water-swelling particles formed at least in part from a water-swelling material and, optionally, non-water-swelling particles of the same or different size distributions can be used in treating a formation penetrated by a wellbore. A slurry of the particles is formed with a carrier fluid. The slurry of particles is introduced into the wellbore of the formation to facilitate treatment.

主权项

1. A method of treating a formation penetrated by a wellbore comprising:
providing a quantity of particles comprising delayed water-swelling particulates and non-water-swelling particulates, wherein the delayed water-swelling particulates and non-water-swelling particulates are of different size distributions and the delayed water-swelling particulates are formed from particulates having a core of water-swelling material coated with a coating of a water degradable material; wherein the core is an internally crosslinked network formed from water soluble polymers; wherein the water degradable material comprises a solid polymer acid precursor, and the water degradable material substantially surrounds the core of water-swelling material and temporarily prevents contact of water with the water-swelling material; wherein the delayed water-swelling particulates are used with the non-water-swelling particulates in an amount of from about 0.5% to about 50% by total weight of particles; forming a slurry of the particles with a carrier fluid; and introducing the slurry of particles into the wellbore of the formation.