US3664422A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Well fracturing method employing a liquified gas and propping agents entrained in a fluid
Assignee: B J TITAN SERVICES COMPANY HOUSTON TEXAS A PARTNERSHIP OF TEXAS
•
Filing: 1970-08-17
•
Granted: 1972-05-23
•
Expires: 1990-08-17
Abstract
Abstract The formations surrounding a well bore are subjected to hydraulic fracturing. A liquified gas and a fluid containing entrained propping agents are injected into the formations. The liquified gas returns to its gaseous state and is therefore easily removed from the formation.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald S Bullen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:47
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/25; E21B43/26; E21B43/2605; F; F17; F17C; F17C9/00; F17C9/02; F17C9/04; F17C2221/00; F17C2221/01; F17C2221/013; F17C2221/014; F17C2223/00; F17C2223/01; F17C2223/0146; F17C2223/0153
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 including the step of injecting a gel breaker into said formation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said gelled alcohol is gelled methanol.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said liquified gas is carbon dioxide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said steps of injecting a liquified gas and said step of injecting gelled alcohol containing entrained propping agents are performed simultaneously.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said liquified gas and gelled alcohol containing the entrained propping agents are blended prior to injection into the formations.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said liquified gas and gelled alcohol containing the entrained propping agents are mixed after each has been injected into the well bore.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said gelled alcohol containing the entrained propping agents is at atmospheric pressure prior to injection into the well bore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the entrained propping agents are sand.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
40 words
A method of treating subsurface earth formations penetrated by a borehole, comprising: mixing propping agents with gelled alcohol, mixing said gelled alcohol containing the propping agents with a liquified gas and injecting the mixture into the formation surrounding said borehole.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 10 including the step of adding a gel breaker to the gelled alcohol.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said liquified gas is liquified N2.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said liquified gas is liquified CO2.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
41 words
A system for treating subsurface earth formations comprising: means for mixing propping agents with gelled alcohol; means for blending the propping agents and gelled alcohol mixture with a liquified gas; and means for injecting the blend into said subsurface earth formations.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2596844A
Cited
US2896717A
Cited
US3136361A
Cited
US3108636A
Cited
US3396107A
Cited
US3170517A
Cited
US3368627A
Cited
US3393741A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-23 | 1975-11-22 | 1976-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-23 | 1979-11-22 | 1980-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-23 | 1983-11-22 | 1984-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |