Methods for treating a subterranean formation with a curable composition using a jetting tool

Abstract

A method of treating a subterranean formation is provided, the method comprising the steps of: positioning a jetting tool in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, wherein the jetting tool comprises at least one fluid jet forming nozzle; and delivering a curable composition through the jetting tool and to the formation, wherein the curable composition: cures to form a solid substance or a semi-solid, gel-like substance, and is a fluid having a sufficiently low viscosity to penetrate into the formation. The methods according to the invention are particularly suited for treating weakly consolidated or unconsolidated formations with a hardenable resin composition to help consolidate the formation.

1 . A method of treating a subterranean formation, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a. positioning a jetting tool in a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, wherein the jetting tool comprises at least one fluid jet forming nozzle; and    b. delivering a curable composition through the jetting tool and to the formation, wherein 
 i. at least a component of the curable composition is capable of curing to form a solid substance or a semi-solid, gel-like substance, and  
 ii. the curable composition is a fluid having a sufficiently low viscosity to penetrate into the formation.  
   
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the viscosity is sufficiently low that no substantial amount of residue remains behind filling the pore spaces of the formation as the curable composition penetrates into the formation.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the apparent viscosity of the curable composition is preferably below about 100 cP.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the apparent viscosity of the curable composition is measured within the range of the bottom hole static temperature of the subterranean formation.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the apparent viscosity of the curable composition is measured at the lower limit of the bottom hole static temperature of the subterranean formation.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the curable composition is a hardenable resin composition.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: isolating an interval of the wellbore in the subterranean formation, wherein the step of positioning a jetting tool further comprises positioning the jetting tool in the isolated interval.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of delivering a curable composition through the jetting tool and to the formation further comprises: filling the wellbore interval under sufficient pressure to force the curable composition into the formation.  
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of delivering a curable composition through the jetting tool and to the formation further comprises: delivering the curable composition through the jetting tool under conditions sufficient to direct and pressure the curable composition into the formation.  
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the step of delivering a curable composition through the jetting tool and to the formation further comprises: delivering the curable composition into the formation under conditions that are not sufficient to initiate a fracture in the formation.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: injecting a fracturing fluid through the jetting tool under conditions sufficient to erode a portion of the wall of the well bore and to initiate at least one fracture extending into the formation.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the step of injecting a fracturing fluid through the jetting tool to initiate at least one fracture is separate from the step of delivering a curable composition through the jetting tool and to the formation, and wherein the fracturing fluid is different than the curable composition.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 12 , comprising performing the step of injecting a fracturing fluid through the jetting tool to initiate at least one fracture before performing the step of delivering a curable composition through the jetting tool and to the formation.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein during at least part of the step of injecting a fracturing fluid through the jetting tool, the fracturing fluid comprises a base fluid and a particulate material.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the viscosity of the curable composition is less than the viscosity of the base fluid.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein the particulate material is coated with a curable composition.  
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein the curable composition that is used for the step of depositing a proppant coated with a curable composition into the fracture in the formation has a sufficiently high viscosity to form a coating on the proppant.  
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: flowing back or producing fluid from the formation.  
   
   
       19 . A method of treating a subterranean formation, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a. isolating an interval of the wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation;    b. positioning a jetting tool in the isolated interval of the subterranean formation, wherein the jetting tool comprises at least one fluid jet forming nozzle;    c. injecting a fracturing fluid through the jetting tool under conditions sufficient to erode a portion of the wall of the well bore and to initiate at least one fracture extending into the formation; and    d. delivering a curable composition through the jetting tool and to the formation, wherein 
 i. at least a component of the curable composition is capable of curing to form a solid substance or a semi-solid, gel-like substance, and  
 ii. the curable composition is a fluid having a sufficiently low viscosity to penetrate into the formation.  
   
   
   
       20 . A method of treating a subterranean formation, wherein the formation is weakly consolidated or unconsolidated, the method comprising the steps of: 
 a. positioning a jetting tool a wellbore penetrating the subterranean formation, wherein the jetting tool comprises at least one fluid jet forming nozzle;    b. injecting a fracturing fluid through the jetting tool under conditions sufficient to erode a portion of the wall of the well bore and to initiate at least one fracture extending into the formation; and    c. delivering a curable composition through the jetting tool and to the formation, wherein 
 i. at least a component of the curable composition is capable of curing to form a solid substance or a semi-solid, gel-like substance, and  
 ii. the curable composition is a fluid having a sufficiently low viscosity to penetrate into the formation.