Method of recycling fracturing fluids using a self-degrading foaming composition

Abstract

A method of fracturing a subterranean zone penetrated by a well bore preparing a foamed fracturing fluid containing a self-degrading foaming composition with a mixture of anionic surfactant and nonionic surfactant, and a composition thereof. The fracturing fluid containing self-degrading foaming composition forms a substantially less stable foam when the foamed fracturing fluid is recovered during reclaim.

1 . A self-degrading foaming composition comprising a mixture of anionic surfactants selected from the group consisting of dodecylbenzenesulfonate, alpha olefin sulfonate, diphenyloxide disulfonate, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, sulfosuccinate, sulfosuccinamate, naphthalene-formaldehyde condensate, alkyl sulfoester, alkyl sulfoamide, and mixtures thereof; and
 a nonionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of fatty acid esters, glycerol esters, ethoxylated fatty acids esters of glycol, ethoxylated fatty acid esters of polyethylene glycol and sorbitan esters;   wherein the self-degrading composition has a substantially reduced foam stability after aging.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of formula (I), (II), (III), or (IV): 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         and combinations thereof; 
         wherein R 1  is selected from a group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, alkylarylalkyl, arylalkyl, alkylamidoalkyl and alkylaminoalkyl, and 
         wherein the alkyl group has about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, the aryl group represents a phenyl, diphenyl, diphenylether, or naphthalene moiety; 
         R 2  is selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, —CH 2 CH 2 OH, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, alkylarylalkyl, arylalkyl, alkylamidoalkyl and alkylaminoalkyl, wherein the alkyl group has about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, wherein the aryl group represents a phenyl, diphenyl, diphenylether, or naphthalene moiety; and 
         “p” is 0 to about 10, and M represents hydrogen, an alkali metal such as sodium or potassium, or an ammonium salt. 
       
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said fracturing fluid comprises a crosslinker. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 3  wherein said crosslinker is a boron containing compound. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 3  wherein said crosslinker is selected from the group consisting of boric acid, borax, boron containing ores, colemanite, and ulexite. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein said crosslinker is a zirconium or titanium based metallic crosslinker. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising cationic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         8 . A foamed fracturing composition comprising:
 (a) a self-degrading foaming composition having substantially reduced foam stability after aging, said self-degrading foaming comprising a mixture of anionic surfactants wherein at least one of said anionic surfactants has the general formula:   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         wherein R 1  is selected from a group consisting of alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, alkylarylalkyl, arylalkyl, alkylamidoalkyl and alkylaminoalkyl, and wherein the alkyl group has about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, the aryl group represents a phenyl, diphenyl, diphenylether, or naphthalene moiety; 
         R 2  is selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, —CH 2 CH 2 OH, alkyl, aryl, alkaryl, alkylarylalkyl, arylalkyl, alkylamidoalkyl and alkylaminoalkyl, wherein the alkyl group has about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, wherein the aryl group represents a phenyl, diphenyl, diphenylether, or naphthalene moiety; and at least one nonionic surfactant having the general formula:
   R 3 C(O)O—(CH 2 CH 2 O) p R 4    
 
         wherein, R 3  is hydrocarbon chain containing about 10 to about 22 carbon atoms, R 4  is a hydrogen or a hydrocarbon chain containing about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms; and “p” is from about 1 to about 20 
         (b) an aqueous solution; 
         (c) a gelling agent; and 
         (d) a gas.