Methods and compositions for servicing fluids comprising derivatized cellulose gelling agents

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides methods of treating a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising providing a treatment fluid comprising a derivatized cellulose gelling agent wherein the derivatized cellulose gelling agent is made by reacting cellulose with an electrophilic agent to form a 1,3-cis diol or an alpha carboxylic acid; and, placing the treatment fluid in the portion of the subterranean formation. Another embodiment of the present invention provides methods of derivatizing cellulose, comprising reacting cellulose with an electrophilic agent to form a 1,3-cis diol or an alpha carboxylic acid. Another embodiment of the present invention provides crosslinkable treatment fluids for use in subterranean formations comprising a derivatized cellulose gelling agent wherein the derivatized cellulose gelling agent comprises a cellulose that has been derivatized to comprise an alpha carboxylic acid or a compound comprising a 1,3-cis diol moiety.

1 . A method of treating a portion of a subterranean formation, comprising: 
 providing a treatment fluid comprising a derivatized cellulose gelling agent wherein the derivatized cellulose gelling agent is made by reacting cellulose with an electrophilic agent to form a 1,3-cis diol or an alpha carboxylic acid; and,    placing the treatment fluid in the portion of the subterranean formation.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the gelling agent is produced by reacting an electrophilic agent with cellulose to attach at least one 1,3-dihydroxy group to the cellulose.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the electrophilic agent comprises glycidol or epichlorohydrin.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  wherein, before reacting the electrophilic agent with the cellulose, the cellulose is pretreated with an alkaline solution that comprises at least one of the following: urea, thiourea, or guanidine.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the treatment fluid further comprises a metallic crosslinking agent and wherein the metallic crosslinking agent comprises at least one of the following: boron, chromium, zirconium, antimony, calcium, magnesium, titanium, iron, zinc, or aluminum.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the treatment fluid further comprises at least one of the following: a gel stabilizer, breaker, fluid loss control agent, surfactant, clay stabilizer, bactericide, or proppant.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the proppant is at least partially coated with a either a curable resin or a tackifying agent.  
     
     
         8 . A method of derivatizing cellulose, comprising reacting cellulose with an electrophilic agent to form a 1,3-cis diol or an alpha carboxylic acid.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the electrophilic agent comprises glycidol or epichlorohydrin.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the electrophilic agent attaches at least one 1,3-dihydroxy group to the cellulose.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising at least partially dissolving the cellulose in an alkaline solution prior to reacting the cellulose with the electrophilic agent.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the alkaline solution comprises at lest one of the following: urea, thiourea, or guanidine.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising, after reacting cellulose with an electrophilic agent, exposing the cellulose to a metallic crosslinking agent wherein the metallic crosslinking agent comprises at least one of the following: boron, chromium, zirconium, antimony, calcium, magnesium, titanium, iron, zinc, or aluminum.  
     
     
         14 . A crosslinkable treatment fluid for use in subterranean formations comprising a derivatized cellulose gelling agent wherein the derivatized cellulose gelling agent is made by reacting cellulose with an electrophilic agent to form a 1,3-cis diol or an alpha carboxylic acid.  
     
     
         15 . The crosslinkable treatment fluid of  claim 14  wherein the derivatized cellulose gelling agent is produced by reacting an electrophilic agent with cellulose to attach at least one 1,3-dihydroxy group to the cellulose.  
     
     
         16 . The crosslinkable treatment fluid of  claim 15  wherein the electrophilic agent comprises glycidol or epichlorohydrin.  
     
     
         17 . The crosslinkable treatment fluid of  claim 15  wherein the cellulose is pretreated with an alkaline solution before the cellulose is derivatized and wherein the alkaline solution comprises at least one of the following: urea, thiourea, or guanidine.  
     
     
         18 . The crosslinkable treatment fluid of  claim 14  further comprising a metallic crosslinking agent and wherein the metallic crosslinking agent comprises at least one of the following: boron, chromium, zirconium, antimony, calcium, magnesium, titanium, iron, zinc, or aluminum.  
     
     
         19 . The crosslinkable treatment fluid of  claim 14  further comprising a gel stabilizer, breaker, fluid loss control agent, surfactant, clay stabilizer, bactericide, or proppant.  
     
     
         20 . The crosslinkable treatment fluid of  claim 19  wherein the proppant is at least partially coated with either a curable resin or a tackifying agent.