Compositions and methods for delayed crosslinking in hydraulic fracturing fluids

• Main Authors: Munoz, Pablo, Tran, Trinh, Waller, Christopher, Wells, Kirk E
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 05.04.2022
• Subjects: ADHESIVES; CHEMISTRY; DYES; EARTH DRILLING; EARTH DRILLING, e.g. DEEP DRILLING; FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS; MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FORELSEWHERE; METALLURGY; MINING; MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS OF MATERIALS; MISCELLANEOUS COMPOSITIONS; NATURAL RESINS; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR ASLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS; PAINTS; POLISHES

Disclosed herein are compositions and methods for delaying crosslinking of aqueous crosslinkable polymers such as polysaccharides in injectable compositions for hydraulic fracturing and related applications. The compositions and methods provide delayed crosslinking at high temperatures and pressures, such as those encountered by hydraulic fracturing compositions injected into subterranean environments. Compositions include injectable solutions comprising a competing agent that is a reaction product of a dialdehyde having 2 to 4 carbon atoms with a non-polymeric cis-hydroxyl compound. Provided are methods of making and using delayed-crosslinking compositions comprising crosslinker compositions containing zirconium complexes and the competing agents.