US3602308A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hydraulically fracturing an isolated zone of an unconsolidated formation
Assignee: BP America Production Co
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Filing: 1969-08-26
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Granted: 1971-08-31
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Expires: 1989-08-26
Abstract
Abstract This invention concerns selectively locating fractures in an underground formation and especially in ''''soft sections'''' like the tar sands in Canada. A zone is isolated in the well bore at the elevation at which it is desired to initiate a fracture. A fracturing fluid is conducted down this channel to the elevation to be fractured. A low penetrating fluid is introduced through a second channel to that portion of the formation not so isolated. The pressure in the pump fracture fluid is raised sufficiently so that a fracture is initiated by the fracture fluid at the selected elevation.
Inventors
- 👤 Renic P Vincent
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:07
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26; E21B43/261
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
31 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in which the pressure of the fluid in said first channel is approximately equal to the pressure of the fluid in said second channel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in which the pressure of fluid in said second channel is at least about one-fourth the pressure of the fluid in said first channel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as defined in claim 1 in which said low penetrating liquid in said second channel is water with guar gum added thereto in an amount of about 8 to 12 pounds of guar gum per barrel of water.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as defined in claim 4 in which the fracturing fluid contains guar gum in an amount of not over about 1 pound per barrel of water such that the fracturing fluid is much less viscous than said low penetrating fluid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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Cited
US2788072A
Cited
US2728395A
Cited
US2784787A
Cited
US3153450A
Cited
US3161235A
Cited
US3160207A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-08-30 | 1975-03-01 | 1975-08-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-08-30 | 1979-03-01 | 1979-08-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-08-30 | 1983-03-01 | 1983-08-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |