US3266573A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of fracturing subsurface formations
Assignee: Pan American Petroleum Corp
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Filing: 1964-03-25
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Granted: 1966-08-16
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Expires: 1984-03-25
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 Frederick H Rixe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:26
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26; E21B43/267
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 2
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
IN THE TREATMENT OF A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION PENETRATED BY A WELLBORE WHEREIN A FRACTURING FLUID IS FORCED DOWN SAID WELLBORE TO CONTACT SAID FORMATION UNDER SUFFICIENT PRESSURE TO FRACTURE SAID FORMATION, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING PASSING INTO THE RESULTING FRACTURE A FLUID SUSPENSION OF PARTICULATE SOLIDS COMPRISING PROPING PARTICLES AND SPACER PARTICLES, THE AVERAGE SPACER PARTICLE SIZE, AND THE VOLUME RATIO OF THE PROPPING PARTICLES TO SIZE BEING AT LEAST ABOUT 7 TIMES THE AVERAGE SPACER PARTICLE SPACER PARTICLES BEING BETWEEN ABOUT 10:1 TO ABOUT 2:1; PERMITTING THE OVERBURDEN TO SETTLE ON SAID PROPPING PARTICLES IN SAID FRACTURE THE FRACTURE BEING PROPPED OPEN BY SAID PROPPING PARTICLES; AND SUBSEQUENTLY FLUSHING SAID SPACER PARTICLES FROM SAID FRACTURE TO PROVIDE FLUID FLOW CHANNELS BETWEEN THE PROPPING PARTICLES RETAINED IN SAID FRACTURE.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
IN THE TREATMENT OF A SUBTERRANEAN FORMATION PENETRATED BY A WELLBORE WHEREIN A FRACTURING FLUID IS FORCED DOWN SAID WELLBORE TO CONTACT SAID FORMATION UNDER SUFFICIENT PRESSURE TO FRACTURE SAID FORMATION, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING PASSING INTO THE RESULTING FRACTURE A FLUID SUSPENSION OF PARTICULATE SOLIDS COMPRISING PROPING PARTICLES AND SPACER PARTICLES, THE AVERAGE SPACER PARTICLE SIZE, AND THE VOLUME RATIO OF THE PROPPING PARTICLES TO SIZE BEING AT LEAST ABOUT 7 TIMES THE AVERAGE SPACER PARTICLE SPACER PARTICLES BEING BETWEEN ABOUT 10:1 TO ABOUT 2:1; PERMITTING THE OVERBURDEN TO SETTLE ON SAID PROPPING PARTICLES IN SAID FRACTURE THE FRACTURE BEING PROPPED OPEN BY SAID PROPPING PARTICLES; AND SUBSEQUENTLY FLUSHING SAID SPACER PARTICLES FROM SAID FRACTURE TO PROVIDE FLUID FLOW CHANNELS BETWEEN THE PROPPING PARTICLES RETAINED IN SAID FRACTURE.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1969-08-15 | 1970-02-14 | 1970-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1973-08-15 | 1974-02-14 | 1974-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1977-08-15 | 1978-02-14 | 1978-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |