US3552494A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process of hydraulic fracturing with viscous oil-in-water emulsion
Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Co
•
Filing: 1969-03-17
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Granted: 1971-01-05
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Expires: 1989-03-17
Abstract
Abstract A method for the hydraulic fracturing of a subterranean formation wherein an oil-in-water emulsion containing a heavy crude oil, petroleum fraction, or similar hydrocarbon oil having a viscosity in excess of about 1500 centipoises at 100* F. is injected into a well at a rate sufficient to open a fracture in the exposed formation.
Inventors
- 👤 Othar M Kiel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:14
CPC Classifications
C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/60; C09K8/62; C09K8/64; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S507/00; Y10S507/922
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
21 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said oil has a viscosity in excess of about 5,000 centipoises at 100*F.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said emulsion contains from about 50 to about 90 volume percent of said hydrocarbon oil anD from about 50 to about 10 volume percent water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbon oil is a lube oil extract with a viscosity at atmospheric temperature in excess of about 100,000 centipoises.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as defined by claim 1 wherein said hydrocarbon oil is a residual petroleum fraction.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for the hydraulic fracturing of a subterranean formation exposed within a wellbore which comprises injecting into said wellbore a water-external emulsion containing from about 50 to about 80 percent by volume of a hydrocarbon oil having a viscosity in excess of about 1,500 centipoises at 100* F. and from about 20 to about 50 percent by volume of water, applying sufficient pressure to said emulsion to open a fracture in said exposed formation, and thereafter producing said hydrocarbon oil from said fracture into said wellbore.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined by claim 6 wherein said hydrocarbon oil has a viscosity in excess of about 25,000 centipoises at atmospheric temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined by claim 6 wherein said hydrocarbon oil is a heavy extract obtained from the manufacture of lubricating oil.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
72 words
A method for propping a fracture in a subterranean formation exposed with a wellbore which comprise generating a fracture in said exposed formation; injecting an oil-in-water emulsion and a propping agent suspended in said emulsion into said fracture, said emulsion containing a hydrocarbon oil having a viscosity in excess of about 1,500 centipoises at 100* F. as the oil phase; and thereafter producing said hydrocarbon oil from said fracture into the wellbore.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as defined by claim 9 wherein said hydrocarbon oil has a viscosity in excess of about 25,000 centipoises at atmospheric temperature.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as defined by claim 9 wherein said hydrocarbon oil has a viscosity at formation temperature equal to or greater than that defined by the equation
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as defined by claim 9 wherein said hydrocarbon oil is a straight run petroleum asphalt.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |