Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for removing the filter cake from the surface of a hydrocarbon-containing subterranean formation, the filter cake comprising bridging particles and at least one polysaccharide polymer, which comprises contacting the filter cake with a solution comprising an aqueous brine, a peroxide selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metal peroxides, zinc peroxide, and mixtures thereof, and an acidic substance to provide the soak solution with a pH in the range from about 1 to about 8, for a period of time at least sufficient to decompose the polysaccharide polymers therein to such an extent that the filter cake forms a loosely adherent mass on the surface of the formation, and thereafter contacting the filter cake with a wash solution in which the bridging particles are soluble to remove the remaining filter cake solids.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
135 words
A method for removing the filter cake from the surface of a hydrocarbon-containing subterranean formation, the filter cake comprising bridging particles and at least one polysaccharide polymer, which comprises contacting the filter cake with a solution comprising an aqueous brine, a peroxide selected from the group consisting of alkaline earth metal peroxides, zinc peroxide, and mixtures thereof, and an acidic substance to provide the soak solution with a pH in the range from about 1 to about 8, for a period of time at least sufficient to decompose the polysaccharide polymers therein to such an extent that the filter cake forms a loosely adherent mass on the surface of the formation, and thereafter contacting the filter cake with a wash solution in which the bridging particles are soluble to remove the remaining filter cake solids.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the bridging solids within the filter cake are water soluble, wherein the aqueous brine in the soak solution is saturated with respect to the water soluble bridging material, and wherein the wash solution comprises an aqueous liquid which is unsaturated with respect to the water soluble bridging material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the peroxide is calcium peroxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the soak solution contains a soluble activator to enhance the rate of reaction between the peroxide and the polysaccharide polymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
139 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the soluble activator is selected from the group consisting of (1) a source of a cation selected from the group consisting of cobaltous, cuprous, ferrous, nickelous, manganous, and mixtures thereof; (2) organic hydroxyl compounds having the empirical formula: HO--C.sub.a H.sub.2a --Z where a is an integer from 1 to about 5, and Z is a radical selected from the group consisting of H, OH, and (OC b H 2b ) n OR where b is 2, 3, or mixtures thereof, n is an integer from 0 to about 3, and R is a radical selected from the group consisting of H, C x H 2x+1 , and C y H 2y+1 CO, where x is an integer from 1 to 5 and y is an integer from 1 to 3; and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the soak solution contains from about 2.8 kg/m 3 to about 57 kg/m 3 of the peroxide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1, 2, or 3 wherein the soak solution contains from about 2.8 kg/m 3 to about 57 kg/m 3 of the peroxide.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
93 words
A composition for decomposing polysaccharide polymers contained within filter cakes on the sides of a borehole, the filter cake containing at least one polysaccharide polymer and bridging particles, which comprises an aqueous brine in which the bridging particles are not appreciably soluble, an alkaline earth metal peroxide in an amount from about 2.8 kg/m 3 to about 57 kg/m 3 , a soluble activator to enhance the rate of decomposition of the polysaccharide, and an acidic substance to provide the composition with a pH in the range from about 1 to about 8.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
93 words
A composition for decomposing polysaccharide polymers contained within filter cakes on the sides of a borehole, the filter cake containing at least one polysaccharide polymer and bridging particles, which comprises an aqueous brine in which the bridging particles are not appreciably soluble, an alkaline earth metal peroxide in an amount from about 2.8 kg/m 3 to about 57 kg/m 3 , a soluble activator to enhance the rate of decomposition of the polysaccharide, and an acidic substance to provide the composition with a pH in the range from about 1 to about 8.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
154 words
The composition of claim 8 wherein the aqueous brine is a solution which is saturated with respect to the bridging particles, and wherein the activator is selected from the group consisting of (1) a source of cation selected from the group consisting of cobaltous, cuprous, ferrous, nickelous, manganous, and mixtures thereof; (2) organic hydroxyl compounds having the empirical formula: HO--C.sub.a H.sub.2a --Z where a is an integer from 1 to about 5, and Z is a radical selected from the group consisting of H, OH, and (OC b H 2b ) n OR where b is 2, 3, or mixtures thereof, n is an integer from 0 to about 3, and R is a radical selected from the group consisting of H, C x H 2x+1 , and C y H 2y+1 CO, where x is an integer from 1 to 5 and y is an integer from 1 to 3; and mixtures thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition of claim 9 wherein the activator is an organic hydroxyl compound.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The composition of claim 8 or 9 wherein the acid is sulfamic and wherein the peroxide is calcium peroxide.